Before the West Indian Day Parade, Dress Up as the Devil for J'Ouvert

In the predawn hours of Labor Day, before the West Indies Parade begins its march along Eastern Parkway, there is another celebration. Often beginning around 4:30 a.m., J’ouvert (pronounced joo vay) is a contraction of the French words for daybreak (“jour ouvert”).

The traditional celebration originates with French settlers’ introduction of masquerade balls to the Caribbean in 1783. Banned from participating in their masters’ Carnival celebrations, slaves would hold smaller carnivals in their backyards. Once emancipated in 1838, slaves began participating in Carnival, blending in their own rituals.

Elsewhere in the world, J’ouvert celebrations are tied to the lent calendar, but in Crown Heights, it’s become tradition to hold it on Labor Day. While the calypso bands, dancing, and jerk chicken of Labor Day’s sunlit celebrations are a staple of J’ouvert, the daybreak jubilee also includes more esoteric elements.

Many participants coat themselves in oil or mud to portray Jab Jab, a personification of both the devil and slavery. According to many accounts (and the state of Crown Heights following the parade), participants often throw baby powder, paint, and sparkles.

J’ouvert isn’t an official part of the parade, and has a distinctly different energy from the events later in the day.

Photos by Cheney Orr