J'Ouvert Morning in Antigua & Barbuda

A Carnival event with an emancipation history

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda traces Carnival's history to the abolition of slavery. It says enslaved Africans in Antigua were emancipated on August 1, 1834, and that Antiguans took to the streets to celebrate their freedom. The Government describes today's Carnival as a formal, island-wide celebration of emancipation.[3]

J'Ouvert is part of that Carnival tradition. The official Antigua Carnival information page describes revelers gathering in St. John's before dawn to jump and jam through the capital, and connects the event with emancipation.[4]

What happens on J'Ouvert Morning

J'Ouvert brings music and dancing into the streets of St. John's in the early morning. The official Carnival description places it before Carnival Monday's afternoon mas, when troupes and groups parade in costumes or Monday wear.[4]

The Carnival programme is coordinated by the Government through the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission. Its general information describes major road activities in the public areas of St. John's and surrounding road circuits, so visitors should check the Commission's current information for event locations and access details.[4]

Public-holiday status and work

J'Ouvert is an event, while the Public Holidays (Amendment) Act, 2019 lists a Carnival holiday on the first Monday in August and the following Tuesday. The Act does not set a separate public holiday called J'Ouvert Morning, and it gives no weekend substitute rule for these Carnival holidays.[1]

The Public Holidays Act says public holidays are close holidays for banks, shops, stores and public offices. It allows specified exceptions, including drug shops for necessary prescriptions, food and drink sales in public markets up to 9 a.m., and petrol stations; other shops may be permitted to open by Gazette order.[5]

Under the Labour Code, employees generally cannot be required to work on a public holiday except in emergencies, subject to possible ministerial exemptions. Eligible employees who do not work receive their basic wage if they worked their scheduled day immediately before and after; employees who work are entitled to at least 150 percent of their basic hourly rate for hours worked, in addition to holiday pay.[2]