She Playing With Fire | About the Masquerade

The Masquerade “Holy Matrimony”

"Holy Matrimony/Contradictions” Marriage of King Jab & his Ndebele Bride. A collaboration of JouvayFest & Pagwah Mas. The infamous and popular man about town, King Jab needs a woman who really cares about him, and not only his public stature. He visits Central South Africa and finds his Ndbele bride, and brings her back to Brooklyn for a grand public wedding. He invites his friends as well as the public. Of course, Ndebele Bride gets her American citizenship, and new life in the USA- a place where she can help her family. They are joyously married by the lake in front of the historic Audubon Boat House with a lively procession of the wedding party, accompanied by live music culminating in a big public gathering for the final ceremony.

Dame Lorraine

This character created by the former enslaved Africans in the Caribbean mocked the plantation owner's wives who used undergarments to emphasize their buttocks, small waists and large breasts... wearing a mask (made of fine mesh w/ a European features painted on it), gloves, broad flowered hat, umbrella, and large purse. This character was usually played by men..now all genders portray this character. There are ancestral traces of "Gedde" masquerade in West Africa.

King Jab

Comes from Jab Jab originating from the French word "J'ablo" meaning devil! A European religious character symbolizing bad and evil behavior and things. The formerly enslaved Africans in the Caribbean used this character to depict the evils of the slave master and plantation owners. In African religion and life there are no devils. There are also Jab Molassies their bodies covered with molasses or black paint carrying a whip and determined to scare the spectators. Ancestral traces in Cameron have similar masqueraders however they are Not devils.

Ndebele Bride

She is from Central South Africa from the Ndebele people famous for their bead work and colorful geometric painted houses. She is not a traditional J'ouvert character. They are cattle herders and farmers.

Baby Doll

A comedic and tragic female character who is constantly searching for the father of her child. Her role is to shame (pointing and shouting "you are the Daddy!) any man in close proximity into giving money for support of this child. She usually dresses in gaudy clothing carrying a large baby bottle and a baby in a blanket.

Flag Woman / Man

This character represents the spirit of the carnival band. They are in front of the band, vigorously setting the tone for the musicians and the spectators.

Dame Lorraine

This character created by the former enslaved Africans in the Caribbean mocked the plantation owner's wives who used undergarments to emphasize their buttocks, small waists and large breasts... wearing a mask (made of fine mesh w/ a European features painted on it), gloves, broad flowered hat, umbrella, and large purse. This character was usually played by men..now all genders portray this character. There are ancestral traces of "Gedde" masquerade in West Africa.

King Jab

Comes from Jab Jab originating from the French word "J'ablo" meaning devil! A European religious character symbolizing bad and evil behavior and things. The formerly enslaved Africans in the Caribbean used this character to depict the evils of the slave master and plantation owners. In African religion and life there are no devils. There are also Jab Molassies their bodies covered with molasses or black paint carrying a whip and determined to scare the spectators. Ancestral traces in Cameron have similar masqueraders however they are Not devils.

Ndebele Bride

She is from Central South Africa from the Ndebele people famous for their bead work and colorful geometric painted houses. She is not a traditional J'ouvert character. They are cattle herders and farmers.

Baby Doll

A comedic and tragic female character who is constantly searching for the father of her child. Her role is to shame (pointing and shouting "you are the Daddy!) any man in close proximity into giving money for support of this child. She usually dresses in gaudy clothing carrying a large baby bottle and a baby in a blanket.

Flag Woman / Man

This character represents the spirit of the carnival band. They are in front of the band, vigorously setting the tone for the musicians and the spectators.