Spicemas, Grenada. Source: MacoCaribbean
ShortKnee – Colourful Masquerader
The Shortknee Masquerade is one of the most compelling icons of the Spicemas festival, paying homage to the island’s French and African heritage. Previously called “Grenade Pierrot” meaning clown in French, this event now goes by “Shortknee”, a term coined in the 1920s as creole, the local language, was gaining popularity.
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According to Carribean360, the word Shortknee refers to the length of the trousers worn by the masqueraders.
“The just-below-the-knee trousers and bodice are made of yards of brightly colored cloth and fastened to the legs and wrists. The front and back of the bodice are decorated with tiny mirrors, which culturally were thought to protect the wearer by “reflecting” his enemies. The Shortknee also wears a wire screen mask over a powder-whitened face,” the site explains.
During Spicemas, festivalgoers can either join in or watch the impeccable performance of the Shortknee band.
