Batabano

Cayman Carnival Batabano is a non-profit organization. The National Carnival is executed each year by a group of passionate volunteers Under Mrs.

Cayman Carnival Batabano was launched in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. Held annually during the first week of May, it is undoubtedly one of the main highlights of Cayman's entertainment calendar. "Batabano" was the original name of Cayman Carnival, chosen as a salute to Cayman's turtling heritage - Batabano refers to the tracks left in the sand by turtles as they drag themselves onto be

aches to nest. Finding turtle tracks on the beach was and still is reason to celebrate in Cayman, thus, Cayman Carnival Batabano. Needless to say, Carnival is a true Caribbean tradition - a cultural kaleidoscope of music, dance and pageantry with roots mirroring the region's diverse history of African and religious influences. The colourful costumes reflect our vibrant landscapes and traditions, and the music is the very rhythm of life in the islands. From Trinidad and Tobago, to Jamaica and the Virgin Islands, carnival is the Caribbean's cultural expression of the arts. Cayman Carnival Batabano has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception, and requires a great deal of coordination each year. Although Rotary remains a major sponsor, Batabano is now organised by an independent committee of local volunteers, chaired by Donna Myrie-Stephen since 2001. Myrie-Stephen's leadership, the committee renamed the carnival "Cayman Carnival Batabano", which also carried efforts to bring the look and feel of Batabano events more in line with traditional Caribbean carnivals. In response to the growing interest of local schools for student participation in the street parade, the committee introduced "Junior Carnival" in 2002 as part of the overall one-day street parade. However, the continued growth and development of the Juniors prompted the committee in 2005 to launch a stand-alone street parade for Cayman's youth called "Junior Carnival Batabano", which takes place the weekend before the adult parade. The objective of developing the Junior Carnival is to create a safe environment for the students to play mas, and to place more emphasis on teaching the students the art of costume-making for generations to come. Thousands of locals and visitors flock to the streets every year to celebrate Batabano and now also Junior Carnival Batabano. Major corporate sponsors continue to come forward in support of this cultural event, while the Ministry of Education and the Education Department offer their endorsement and sponsorship of the Junior masqueraders. The energy of Cayman Carnival Batabano is electrifying. Districts and corporate groups join together in costume to compete for prizes as the design and choreography become more elaborate each year. It is a time to celebrate local surroundings, to display creativity, to voice social issues and of course, to party and unite.

30/04/2024

https://www.caymancompass.com/2024/04/27/wheatons-way-187/

Wheaton's Way Carnival season is nearly upon us; and before you get your hopes up, no – I will not be parading down the road in sparkly unmentionables. I completely admire those who participate, as it is no small feat. Their route is a good few miles, and as they are dancing – stepping backwards; stepping for...

09/05/2022

Batabano 2022!

Batabano jumps back into action The streets were filled with music and dancing Saturday afternoon as the annual Batabano carnival got back on the road for the first time in three years. COVID restrictions on 2020 and 2021 prevented the colourful procession from being held, but on Saturday, with the limit on outdoor gatherings rece...

12/03/2013

Come out and celebrate with us for the 30th anniversary of Cayman Carnival Batabano

The iZ ft. Machel Montano - Whine The iZ ft. Machel Montano - Whine Fête TV ~ Soca de Caribbean™ http://www.FeteTV.com/ http://www.Twitter.com/FeteTV http://www.Facebook.com/FeteTV

11/03/2013

Come out and celebrate with us for the 30th anniversary of Cayman Carnival Batabano

BataBano 2012 Annual popular event, live soca and calypso bands colourful costumes. Celebrated in the Cayman islands. MUSIC Produced By JG & The iZ, Written By Machel Mont...

01/06/2012

Nearly a month has pssed since the carnival fever swept through the streets of Grand Cayman. Who's feeling a touch of carnival depression? I know we are.

13/05/2012

Happy Mothers Day to all the proud mothers of our Carnival Baby's :) ...jjk

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL, NUTURING, LOVING, SELF-LESS, LOVING MOTHERS OUT THERE.
YOU ARE ALL WORTH HONOURING ON THIS DAY WE DEDICATE TO YOU, AND EVERY DAY.
NOTHING COULD EVER REPAY THE MANY GIFTS A MOTHER PROVIDES FOR HER FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL FROM CAYMAN CARNIVAL BATABANO

06/05/2012

Batabano would like to thank every Band leader and masquerader for coming out for the 2012 adult street parade and making the parade so alive and colourful. The Spectators surely received a treat yesterday (May 5th)
Congrats all the winners last night. Special congratulations to reining champs, SWANKY!

Thank you to all the judges, marshals, security, red cross and RCIPS for keeping the parade flowing and incident free :)

To all out Sponsors, we are truly grateful

To the Bajan Troop, Oscar B and friends, Ms Alison Hinds and Andy BLOOD Armstrong, thank you for bringing to our carnival all your talents and skill

And Thank you to the TJJ Team ( trinijunglejuice.com )for showing the world what Cayman Carnival Batabano is all about!

And to everyone tha came out, thank you for showing your love and support for carnival, because carnival is for all of us to enjoy! Be sure to upload ur video's to Batabano's page for a chance to win a Nikon CoolPix, provoded by Cathy Church (tag your friends)
See you next year for the BIG 30!

04/05/2012

This song is running is a definite classic

SINGLE FOREVER - K.I PERSAD BRAND NEW OUT OF MAHASTUDIOS SINGLE FOREVER - KI PERSAD PRODUCED BY RISHI MAHATO & KI - MAHA PRODUCTIONS MIXED & MASTERED BY : RISHI MAHATO - MAHA PRODUCTION...

04/05/2012

Its Tiiiiiiimmmmmmeeeee! Base is gonna blow your mind!
Big up AI for the amazing sound truck thats going to flood Cardinal Ave with sweet soca flow!!!!

Oscar B, Alison Hinds and Andy Blood Armstrong live in concert!
Also performances by local band CayNRG!

Party starts 10pm, Cardinal Ave || $4 Appleton special all night

04/05/2012

The Kids Have waited long enough!!! The Jr. Batabano has been rescheduled for Saturday May 12th! So you ready!!! U Ready?? kids Get Ready!

Cant wait to so the Jr.'s Palancing