In the sea of swirling feathers and sequins, a woman’s laughter rings out, harmonizing with the distant steelpan melody—her grandmother’s legacy, her daughter’s inheritance, and Toronto’s summer heartbeat, Caribana.
Every summer, Toronto transforms into a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture during the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, famously known as Caribana. This spectacular event draws over a million attendees annually, but behind the dazzling costumes and infectious rhythms lies a rich history of cultural preservation, feminine strength, and diaspora storytelling.
For the women who plan, create, and celebrate within this incredible festival, Caribana represents far more than a parade—it’s a living tapestry of heritage, a testament to resilience, and a powerful platform for self-expression.
The Gift of Caribana: A Canadian Centennial Legacy
Caribana began in 1967 as a community-led initiative celebrating Canada’s Centennial—a gift from the Caribbean community to their new homeland. Organized by Caribbean immigrants including doctors, lawyers, planners, and teachers, the festival was conceived as a way to share West Indian culture with the broader community and fund the creation of a permanent West Indian cultural center .
The inaugural parade attracted approximately 50,000 spectators, a remarkable turnout that set the stage for what would become North America’s largest Caribbean festival. From its humble beginnings along Yonge Street to its current massive scale at Exhibition Place, this celebration has always been rooted in the desire to create spaces where the Caribbean diaspora can connect, express cultural identities, and enhance their ability to thrive in Canada.
More Than Costumes: The Cultural Heartbeat
The Spirit of Carnival
Caribana finds its roots in the Carnival traditions of Trinidad and Tobago, which themselves trace back to complex historical origins. The carnival tradition originally began as a pre-Lent festival for the elite White French and French Creole population in Trinidad.
Enslaved Africans developed their own parallel festivities known as cannes brûlées (canboulay), where they would mimic French enslavers by painting their faces white and dressing in eccentric costumes. After emancipation, this Euro-Catholic tradition transformed significantly into an Afro-Trinidadian celebration of freedom, eventually evolving into the Caribana we know today.
Music: The Festival’s Pulse
Steelpan music arrived in Canada with the Caribbean diaspora in the 1950s and became a vital symbol of cultural identity. The instrument gained such prominence that the Toronto District School Board incorporated it into music curriculum beginning in the 1980s, with over 30 schools in Ontario now offering steelpan programs.
The infectious sounds of calypso have been part of Caribana since 1967. This vibrant genre originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early 19th century, evolving from West African traditions that enslaved Africans used to communicate, satirize social issues, and express political commentary.
Calypso was historically dominated by men until the groundbreaking success of Calypso Rose in the mid-1960s, who became the first woman Calypso Monarch—paving the way for generations of female artists.
Through Her Lens: Women’s Voices in Celebration
Creating Community Through Culture
For Caribbean women in Canada, Caribana represents more than just an annual event—it’s a crucial space for cultural preservation and community building. The festival provides a platform to showcase leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit while maintaining connections to heritage.
The elaborate costumes seen during the Grand Parade represent countless hours of design and craftsmanship, much of it led by female designers and mas camp organizers. These vibrant creations enable women to express their identity, beauty, and cultural pride in a very public and powerful way.
Finding Place in a New Homeland
The Caribana experience resonates deeply with many women of the diaspora navigating layered identities in Canada. As Cecily Erzuah, who moved to Canada from Ghana, reflects: “I was 18 years old when I became self-conscious about being Black for the first time in my life.” She describes the subtle racism she encountered in her workplace, noting how “some customers refused my help or turned away when I approached them, and then called on my white colleagues for assistance” .
For women like Erzuah, finding community and building resilience becomes essential. “Over time, I have learned how to be resilient as a Black woman in Canada,” she shares. “I practised self-awareness and identified my strengths and my weaknesses. I realized I needed to be more confident in who I am and boldly speak, such as calling out racism and having difficult conversations when necessary”.
The Modern Caribana: Evolution & Impact
Growth and Change
The festival underwent significant transformations over the decades. In 2022, a new leadership team assumed management of the carnival, focusing not only on cultural celebration but also acting as a catalyst for economic empowerment, educational advancement, and social inclusion for racialized and marginalized communities.
The festival’s name evolved from “Caribana” to “Toronto Caribbean Carnival” to better reflect the diversity of Caribbean nations represented and emphasize the carnival’s location, in keeping with international trends.
Economic and Cultural Power
Today, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival has grown into an economic powerhouse, contributing over half a billion dollars to the Toronto economy while attracting approximately 2 million visitors during its three-week span.
The festival’s programming has expanded to include multiple events beyond the Grand Parade, including music competitions, cultural showcases, and the Pan Alive steelpan competition that began in 1997.
Your Caribana Experience: Celebrating as Community
If you’re experiencing Caribana for the first time, here’s what you should know:
- Grand Parade: The main parade takes place at Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Boulevard, stretching across 3.5 kilometers.
- Admission: Most of the parade along Lakeshore Boulevard is free to spectators, with admission applied only to the Exhibition Place grounds where you can see the masquerade bands up close.
- Transportation: The TTC and GO Transit provide special services to the event, with the Exhibition GO Station located right next to the festivities.
- Schedule: The festival runs from late July to early August, coinciding with Emancipation Day and its commemoration of the abolition of slavery in British colonies.
The Legacy Continues
Caribana represents the vibrant, resilient spirit of Caribbean women and the entire diaspora community in Canada. From its origins as a centennial gift to its current status as North America’s largest Caribbean festival, this celebration continues to evolve while staying true to its roots—honoring traditions of freedom, cultural pride, and community empowerment.
For the women who create its costumes, compose its music, lead its organizations, and celebrate in its streets, Caribana is more than a festival—it’s a living heritage, an economic engine, and a powerful declaration of belonging. It’s the embodiment of what happens when women of the diaspora create spaces to celebrate exactly who they are, where they’ve been, and all they aspire to be. To learn more about caribana, click here…
Discover more stories from her lens at HerSide Magazine, where we amplify the voices of Black women, Arab women, Muslim women, and women in the diaspora living in Canada and beyond