The History of Carnival in the United States Virgin Islands

During the 1600 and 1700s European from Spain, Portugal, France, England and Denmark seized the islands of the Caribbean. The Europeans tried to duplicate their celebrations and festivals with their islands which they had colonized. The celebrations included religious holidays, a few balls, parties, home visits and street parades. Europeans sought out the islands mainly to develop plantations, those who were enslaved were brought from Africans and Central Africa. They also brought celebrations and their own traditions which were familiar, but hard to copy. Their festivals were based on a God or spirits for passage in their community and the change of seasons.