Caribmask Parade a & Festival

An important part of Caribbean festivals are the ancient African tradition of parading through villages in costumes and masks. This was believed to bring good fortune and to heal problems within the village. Carnival traditions also borrow from the African tradition of putting together natural objects to create a mask or costume

Feathers were frequently used by Africans on masks and headdresses as a symbol of our ability as humans to rise above pains, heartbreaks, illnesses, and problems. Today, we see feathers used in many ways in creating carnival costumes.

African dance and music traditions transformed the early carnival celebrations in the Americas, as African drum rhythms, large puppets, stick fighters, and stilt dancers began to make their appearances in the carnival festivities.

Come join them as the local community celebrates with a parade and festival in Downtown Raleigh.