History of Barbados’ Most Famous Festival: Crop Over

The Crop Over Festival in Barbados, rooted in plantation celebrations, saw a decline in the 1940s due to the reduced demand for sugar and the closure of plantations. However, it never completely vanished. Dr. Marcia Burrows’ research and oral histories from former plantation workers highlight vibrant celebrations during the 1950s and 60s. The Junior Chamber of Commerce attempted to revive the festival with a Trinidadian-style carnival from 1958 to 1964, but it failed to gain popularity.

In the 1970s, as Barbados moved towards independence and was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and Pan-Africanism, the government sought to attract more tourists. Julian Marryshaw of the Barbados Board of Tourism, inspired by cultural activist Elton ‘Elombe’ Mottley, helped revive Crop Over. Early events included fairs, concerts, pageants, and barge shows, but faced criticism for being elitist.

A significant addition in 1974 was the Decorated Cart Parade, initially featuring hotel floats but later including local designs, which drew large crowds. The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) took over the festival’s production in 1983, expanding it to include calypso competitions, folk events, and arts exhibitions, fostering the careers of many artists.

The festival also embraced various cultural aspects, such as the Bajan Culture Village, Crop Over Promenade, Cohobblopot, and events showcasing Barbadian heritage like sticklicking and storytelling. The introduction of Heritage Walking and Bus Tours highlighted Barbadian history through innovative theatrical presentations.

Today, Crop Over features private fetes, music competitions like Soca Monarch and Pic-O-De-Crop, and revelry events like Foreday Morning and Grand Kadooment, generating significant economic benefits. Despite its cancellation in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival remains a rich blend of heritage, arts, and celebration, evolving from its plantation origins into a diverse, globally recognized event.

Credit: The National Cultural Foundation, Barbados