J'Ouvert, Daybreak, the opener.

J’Ouvert, meaning “daybreak” from the French term ‘jour ouvert,’ is a vibrant and culturally rich tradition marking the beginning of the annual Carnival celebrations. Filled with music, dance, and meticulous creative exoression, J’Ouvert is a joyous celebration. Our mission at ‘We Are J’Ouvert’ is to honor and preserve this tradition while fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all participants. Explore the history, cultural impact, and visual splendor of J’Ouvert through the sections below.

The Cornerstone of Carnival

From Trinidad to NYC

J’Ouvert traces its origins to the 18th century Canboulay festivals in Trinidad. These nighttime celebrations were a testament to the resilience and spirit of formerly enslaved people who engaged in stick fighting, calinda dancing, masquerading, and singing to commemorate their freedom. Over time, J’Ouvert evolved into a pre-dawn festivity marking the opening of Carnival, with participants reveling in African-derived percussion, witty satire, sardonic costumes, and lively steelband music.

In the 1920s, Carnival, including J’Ouvert, was introduced to New York by Jessie Waddle in Harlem. By 1964, it moved to Brooklyn under the guidance of Rufus Goring, and in 1967, Carlos Lezama established its presence on the famous Eastern Parkway. Initially, the Carnival predominantly featured steelband music, the only instrument invented in the 21st century. However, over time, amplified music from DJs and brass bands began to dominate, pushing the traditional steelbands aside.

Carnival in Frederick Street, Illustrated London News 1888

“Here in America J’Ouvert is a nostalgic feeling, like being back home in Trinidad when J’Ouvert started at five in the morning. You could hear the cocks crowing and the steelbands coming, and then the sun starts coming up and everyone is having a good time. So now this is where you are going to enjoy, this is your Carnival, right here in Brooklyn.”

—Martin Douglas

President
United States Steelband Association

The Heartbeat of J’ouvert

Live Steelpan & Rhythm

After losing it’s place in daytime carnival, steel pan pioneers set out to Crete venues for Steelpan music is the lifeblood of J’Ouvert, creating a rhythmic heartbeat that pulses through the streets during the early morning celebrations. Originating in Trinidad, the steelpan evolved from discarded oil drums into a unique instrument producing melodic and percussive sounds. By the 1960s, steelbands had become a staple of Carnival, bringing an acoustic vibrancy that countered the amplified soca bands dominating later parades.

In Brooklyn, J’Ouvert upholds the tradition of “pan and rhythm only,” ensuring that the joyous sounds of steelpan music remain at the forefront of the celebration.

“J’Ouvert puts pan in the spotlight. You see, pan got lost on the Parkway when the big sound systems and deejays took over. So we were determined to do something to preserve pan, to let our children know where Carnival really comes from. In J’Ouvert it’s just pan and mas bands, no deejays invited. Now people are remembering the joy you can get by taking your time and playing mas with a steelband, just inching up the road, pushing pan. We’re trying to revive that whole thing.”

—Earl King

Co-founder
J’Ouvert City International

What's street Theater without the

Characters of Carnival

J’Ouvert’s visual splendor is brought to life through its diverse and imaginative characters. Unlike the scanty, bejewelled, brightly colored costumes of daytime Carnival, J’Ouvert attire tends toward the theatrical and is often home embellished. Revelers masquerade as traditional ole mas characters, such as the well adorned Dame Lorraine, the mischievous Midnight Robber, the frilled Baby Doll, pompous Pierrot Grenade, the oil-soaked Jab Jab devils, Fancy Sailors, haunting Moko Jumbie and more. These characters, often Infused with humor and/or the macabre, reflect the satirical and rebellious nature of J’Ouvert.

“Our ancestors were drummers—we come out of that African goat skin drumming. So, when we start to know we get into a certain zone … And you listen to the rhythm, we call it that ‘jumbie.’ It’s like a spiritual groove—you understand? It makes everything sync together. So yes, it goes back to the roots of it all.”

—Anthony Reece
Kutter’s Rhythm Band

The Spirit of Freedom

Kept Alive by the People

Despite the persistent challenges posed by gentrification, high costs, and sensationalist media, J’Ouvert in Brooklyn remains a resilient celebration of Caribbean culture. Carnival has always been a battleground for social and political expression, surviving numerous attempts to suppress its vibrant, rebellious spirit. When Harlem Carnival was canceled in 1961, a new generation of Caribbean migrants revitalized the tradition in Brooklyn. For over fifty years, J’Ouvert has flourished as a powerful display of Caribbean identity and culture.

Today, the spirit of J’Ouvert thrives in Brooklyn, signifying a joyful celebration of creativity, liberation, and freedom. This enduring spirit is kept alive by the dedicated efforts of J’Ouvert City International, along with the vibrant mas and steelpan bands. These groups ensure the traditions of J’Ouvert remain vibrant and culturally significant.