The Caribbean tradition of Jab Jab

Directors Tom Harrad and Reuben Millns explore the tradition of Jab Jab, in this bewitching portrait of Grenada's annual J’ouvert festival. Thousands of Grenadians congregate in the middle of the night to ‘play Jab,’ covered head-to-toe in motor oil as a symbol of remembrance and defiance. Read more on NOWNESS - bit.ly/2fPQptU
CREDITS:
Interview: Colin Dowe
Directors: Tom Harrad and Reuben Millns
Production Company: Black Dog Films
Executive Producers: Martin Roker, Jacob Swan, Adam Smith
Producer: Sam Holmes
Editor: Charlie Rotberg
Sound Design: Tom Joyce at Sound Canvas
Colourist: Nick Wakeling at Absolute Post
Archive Music: Gentle Benjamin at G.B.T.V
Opening Track: LAFAWMDAH courtesy of WARP RECORDS
Composer: Mike Barret
Commissioner: Michael Lewin
Special thanks to:
Amamda Smith, Pouddle,
Alva Cecilia, Brando,
Amber Felix, Carlson St Paul,
Glen Forsyth, Junior, Fiona McIntyre,
Rob Bates and the Grenada Tourism,
Authority, BB's Crabback,
Anna Jaskiewicz at Warp Records,
Anna Mears at End of the Road,
Alasdair Wilson at VMI,
Gery Krasteva and Dan Bennett at Absolutle,
___
Subscribe to NOWNESS here: bit.ly/youtube-nowness
Like NOWNESS on Facebook: bit.ly/facebook-nowness
Follow NOWNESS on Twitter: bit.ly/twitter-nowness
Daily exclusives for the culturally curious: bit.ly/nowness-com
Behind the scenes on Instagram: bit.ly/instagram-nowness
Curated stories on Tumblr: bit.ly/tumblr-nowness
Inspiration on Pinterest: bit.ly/pinterest-nowness
Staff Picks on Vimeo: bit.ly/vimeo-nowness
Subscribe on Dailymotion: www.dailymotion.com/nowness
Follow NOWNESS on Google+: bit.ly/google-nowness

[@lizgordon6961]

Correction j'ouvert is played in the Wee hours of the morning and not at night. this film was a great depiction of the Grenadian jab jab which is one portion of our carnival celebrations. some may say its demonic, but in reality the celebrations are all truly one depicting our freedom and tributes appreciation to the many who fought the battles which got us 'caribbean ppl' our redemption.

[@nickoleme]

Let them know.

[@GeometryDashKenaz]

lizk correct

[@sir.b7860]

"Dis is us, we are proud of who we are, and we're willing to show it to di world" 🇬🇩

[@shanyamaria]

Correct

[@raph3587]

Merci soldat

[@GeometryDashKenaz]

Correct your title. This is a GRENADIAN tradition solely. Originated and cultivated in that one island.

[@GeometryDashKenaz]

@@elij5860 key words "originated and cultivated".. I never said other islands don't have it.. It's the same as steel pan for example.. Most island have it and play it well.. But it originated it Trinidad.. The number of islands who "have it" doesn't change it's origin.

[@vhsvuitton131]

elij5860 but Grenada was the island who started jouvert, not Trinidad

[@khemicalgoddess4614]

@@elij5860 thank you nobody knows for sure who originated it but i can say for sure that haiti(before they called it that) n Trinidad is one of the oldest islands n we been doing that as for other cultured as well..yall just popularized it..why islands akways trying to compete with each other.. at the end of the day the white man lump us up together as the same so he need to stop the who do it first or better thing its getting annoying...yall cultivated it yes but it didn't originate there...

[@trueblue8558]

JAB DID NOT ORIGINATE IN GRENADA! Where officially, we can thank French colonizers, and our African ancestors for it. We’re not about to sit here and begin a Trinidad/Grenada clash because the two cultures are one and the same dammit! Allyuh need to stop provoking stupidity!

[@factscheckeddall4221]

Jouvert originated in Trinidad more than 200 years ago other islands didn't have strength in numbers that Trinidad had to challenge the colonial masters to parade freely after the abolition of slavery ,it's there if anyone want to truly research it.

[@user34274]

Stunning. This world is full of beautiful people.

[@phyo1716]

And you're not one of them.

[@user34274]

@@phyo1716edgy

[@phyo1716]

@@user34274 Just kidding man. You're fine looking.

[@morgan-raemalone7308]

We show how we escaped slavery and cover ourselves in black to represent our ancestors and to show how strong they were we also use jab jab as a way to mock the slave owners and show that we escaped and are still stronger than ever❤️! JAB JAB

[@Momo74153]

Amazing Film! Jab Jab is such a beautiful act of resistance, may it live foreva!

[@nicolescott89]

my hometown :) mums birth place and my true home at heart

[@SkyBlue-bv3hn]

You learn something new everyday. I'd never heard of jab jab.

[@Domo716]

Beautiful. Such a stunning and powerful video.

[@aetjr69]

I'm Guyanese and have nuff Grenadian friends in Atlanta. I love the Jab culture they display during carnival. I might get oiled up one day myself. Would love to experience Jab in Grenada one year.

[@jayj5632]

when i dead put jab jab on my tombstone.......... from jazzeino

[@maximneumann4079]

Amazing cinematography. What are the musics used?

[@harietan9061]

thank you for capturing all that we are, all that we fought for, all that we love. our traditions and culture might me seen as crazy and satanic and dirty to those unaware, but thank you much for seeing our way of life, for seeing the depth of our souls.

[@andor3442]

I'm half Grenadian & I'm interested in learning more about our culture, & this tradition particularly... Any links u can direct me too?

[@nicolescott89]

I am proud of my heritage GRENADIAN and JAMAICAN ... JAB JAB 4EVER

[@Wiickked_Wiz]

There is no jcan jabjab 😂😂

[@nicolescott89]

@davontesveiws5481 yes I know jab jab is only Grenadian I'm just saying....

[@lonalxaia]

​@@nicolescott89it's not just Grenada that do Jab Martinique also. They have similar culture and history.

[@nicolescott89]

@@lonalxaia oh cool I didn't know that 🥰

[@robertlaidley5135]

I appreciate this video and your culture on a big level. I always wanted to know and understand what Jab Jab ( the reference of the blank paint and powder was all about). Now I do. Nuff respect ✊.

[@ricasdone262]

In Panamanian carnival they do something very similar they’re called “resbalosos”. African diaspora is everywhere. 🇵🇦

[@DonnaTruly]

This is so beauitfully shot.

[@margaretlovely8970]

Beautiful love my culture

[@briee8498]

I went to jab jab in Toronto this year during caribana weekend. Glad I had that experience.

[@BiggaBossgy12]

Amazing film!! i was sad it ended

[@mmmk6793]

this is shot so excellently omg

[@Greenz1100]

Beautiful

Assemelha-se à festividade conhecida como Lambe-sujo e Caboclinhos aqui do Brasil, que ocorre na cidade de Laranjeiras, interior de Sergipe. A estética corporal e simbologia são muito parecidas.

[@nicolescott89]

Carib through and through right here

[@jacelifestyle1561]

I am Happy to be Jamaican

[@michellebrown8988]

That was Brilliant

[@andreasantander8794]

I enjoyed learning about this Caribbean tradition of Jab Jab and how they all come together to express themselves through so many different ways like covering themselves with black. One thing that really stuck out to me was how they mentioned that Jab Jab is not about boy/girl, black/white, or rich/poor because it is merely about just coming together and being one. This is such an incredible day of expressing their culture since it is something that is not common and I for one have never seen anyone do. You can tell just by looking at their faces that they are purely happy with being able to embrace something so unique and so freeing which is all that matters. The Jab Jab to me is one of the best examples of how to not focus on the negativity that could be in the world but to instead appreciate the smaller things that bring pure happiness and self love along with those that you love surrounding you.

[@kass.vhs128]

It’s actually a Grenadian tradition

[@lonalxaia]

​@@kass.vhs128they have it jab in Martinique too.

[@ichpeyimwen7296]

Where can I find the soundtrack of this video?

[@missbebop7941]

Harika hikaye sunumu. Kanala hayran kaldim. Thanks for sharing~ i love this channel

[@BlueMovie2011]

excellent video i hope u dont mind me using it for a event video of jabjab it the essence for music and body coming together like paint to water oil to the body

[@seniyaalleyne3872]

What is the music playing at the ending?

[@libra7930]

Awesome culture a way of life

[@DanceFitnessTobagoAmeikaL]

Does anybody know what mixture is now used on the skin?

[@NEWHITONTHESHREET]

My people are beautiful 😍 #JABJAB4FOREVER

How to made the black paint ?

[@bd9081]

I love this video!❤🇬🇩🫶🌎 #jabjab😈🙌🇬🇩

[@alexpluijmen7153]

Thank you for the explanation... is the black substance motor-oil? What does the eating of raw food symbolise? It is good for Africans everywhere to learn from each other’s cultures. Every Black tribe holds but a tiny piece of the puzzle that makes us one people. So thank you but explain a bit further please.

[@justpeachy7812]

Yes, most people coat their bodies with motor oil. It's a very strong smell. However I've never seen people eat raw meat but that is to be expected when you only spent a chunk of your childhood in Grenada

[@newdaystarts2day]

@@justpeachy7812 eating raw food isn't part of the experience. As a child along with other children, I was sacred to death of jab. They were scary. They would wrap live serpents round their necks and hold small animals in their mouth. Their intention was to be as scary as possible. They would deliberately rub their oils on your clothing if you didn't get out of their way and they may even chase you. They used to be very aggressive to bystanders. I'm in my later 50's so things have changed some. I played Jab several times over the last 15 years and 'm happy to say it has retained it's core elements of ancestral connection and homage to them.

[@jaymeezy]

Wow cool. So much history so much to be proud of. Great visuals! They also have something similar to this in Brazil called "lambe sujo e caboclinho".

[@leahchyianebartley9027]

jaymeezy no it’s not the same thing this is real history there’s is fun!! Big difference between

[@kevondouglas4088]

Yes it is the same purpose slaves came and fight for liberation the same way so it is the same

[@letriseupworld]

Thank you King. I see they sang creole in the end. Many dont know this

[@lonalxaia]

I sussed. Unless your from one of the creole speaking islands.

[@jalenkeyray]

Nice film

[@neskalinXP]

whats the music used? soo good.

[@drevisuals2920]

neskalinXP what the drums?

[@drevisuals2920]

Oh

[@sir.b7860]

Wat is the name of the song??

[@GreensEra]

Nice video! #ReppindaGreenz ❤👍💛🌟💚✌

[@furiousstylez1113]

Trini power well done love the theatrical music I wanna go back home shout out to Granada too

[@spicytuna5920]

Hol on boss, Grenada is the jab island. This is Greenz power well done. No disrespect to the trini cousins down south, just saying

[@MechanicsStudents]

Bro that was such a back handed compliment. You mean Grenada power 😭🇬🇩

[@furiousstylez1113]

@@MechanicsStudents ah boi mi sorry my phone spell it roong

[@Cxnvict]

@@MechanicsStudents trini power

[@darrinwright6397]

Hmmm you can see the West African traditions embedded within. Bless up. Good job

[@romemiller1504]

" RIGHTEOUSNESS "!!!!😎👑💣🕶✊👊😍💥

[@FarzanaTalukdar]

Dope

[@okcflyboy86ify]

Is that actual oil they are wearing or just black paint?

[@drea8092]

Tj C Yes most put real oil on their skin, some use paint or even chocolate.

[@TryfifiiKalii]

❤️❤️

[@ANIAHAKAL]

My parents do it I never understood why now I do 😎😎

[@bl00dhoney]

who is the narrator?

[@rissaprince1658]

YHH My country Grenada🇬🇩🇬🇩😈 Jab doh play...that is our culture everything black boii Grenadians too deh bone😈

[@libra7930]

Big up me mate D 4 show me this shit much love i will say it again f-ing Awesome culture

[@user-uy6vc4fb3g]

This was beautiful I always saw and wonder what those black demons was in the carnivals…Thankyou for showing my mom culture to me❤

[@S1804T]

If you research the Bamileke of Cameroon, you will find the true Origin of Jab jab ;) "Danse Kang" in Western Cameroon. Part of the Bamileke tradition.

[@omoluabiekpe3765]

ꚷ꛱ꚧ ꛤ꛱ꚶꚱ꛱ꚠ what do they call it in Bamileke ?

[@S1804T]

@@omoluabiekpe3765 Danse Kang (translates to Kang dance) kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6Pcepmri8qdaM0

[@elsacalliste2421]

@@DJ_Randy_B from grenada go on KZbin and write grenada short keen they still do it up to dis day

[@elsacalliste2421]

@@DJ_Randy_B ohh ok sorry about that

[@ngang1957]

@@DJ_Randy_B check the data on the slave voyages website. along with dominica, grenada was where cameroonian grassfield slaves were shipped to the most.. it’s definitely plausible.

[@Laziib0y]

What song is that at 3:38?

[@lonalxaia]

It's in French creole. Grenadian French creole.

[@Laziib0y]

Do you know the name of the song? @@lonalxaia

[@LabiBradleyC]

They should have taken the time to explain the mas for the understanding of the international audience.

[@xcessdadansa9947]

Is that oil or black paint?

[@luv2sploose854]

It’s oil but nowadays ppl like to use charcoal as it is easier to remove

[@ludoviclimagne7756]

Salut Raphaël

[@Silentgiant386]

🇬🇩🇬🇩🇬🇩

[@gailjohnson7821]

Grenada

[@monf2650]

Jab is found in many islands not just Grenada

[@GeometryDashKenaz]

Same way pan is found in many islands but originated in Trinidad.. What's your point? You think they'd go to Jamaica to document pan? Or St. Lucia to do document reggae? It only makes sense to come to Grenada to document it where it originated.

[@khemicalgoddess4614]

@@GeometryDashKenaz its a diff between originate cultivate and popularized

[@GeometryDashKenaz]

@@khemicalgoddess4614 I know that...

[@lesterscott7052]

But is the only island who’s PROUD of portraying it, not of afraid of nuttn unlike some islands I know.

[@Maaseiahyah]

@@GeometryDashKenaz I love how you just BAD FOR 🇬🇩🇬🇩 And hitting them with Straight FACTS!🤣💫💫

[@dwaynepeters5069]

I don't care what island you come from, but the inaccuracy of this documentary is gut wrenching.

[@akil2746]

Grenadians know that Jab is all over right? They specialize in it but even Haiti, Trinidad has something similar.

[@lonalxaia]

Martinique also has Jab they had for a very long time.

[@wasntbad]

I wish the video went into more details cuz it looks demonic.why the black paint, why the horns, why the eating of red flash..why chains...great start to the video but this still doesn't say much...Is there a part 2 to this?

[@Arrianna7989]

The black paint represents their ancestors and the horns for strength and the chains represent freedom or it was also used to mock the slave masters showing them that they were the devil

[@rissaprince1658]

Trinidad oil deh self in Blue... But we Grenadians oil down we self in black...😈 I am proud too be a Grenadian🇬🇩🇬🇩 all ah we like demons

[@activeenglishlecreusot9628]

Tradition you joking this is innovation. Pssst

[@user-ll5ik3fm6f]

It baffles me how people from all over the world are saying all kinds of mean things but we here about JAB in different parts of the world... My family talks about this in America and it took them 42 years to even mention this.... It's traditions with a different name but we can't see we cousins basically.... Granada l, T&T, Jamaica, the Garifuna, Panama, DR to African and the African, Indian and all the islands all of us.... And we think its Europe that started it...nah...

[@newdaystarts2day]

carnival came from the french - but jab is from our African ancestors. They took the french custom and took the piss out of the slavers by mimicking the way they dressed and their dances. And then they added Jab, which had the french and then the british pissing themselves. We still have ole mass as part of carnival in Grenada, which focuses on social and political commentary as well as just sheer creativity and comedy.

[@user-ll5ik3fm6f]

@@newdaystarts2day thanks for educating me on this. I'm always open to learn more history so that may grow as a person.

[@lonalxaia]

​​@@user-ll5ik3fm6fthe islands that were in French possessions including former French colonies had Carnival.

[@lonalxaia]

​@@newdaystarts2daythey also have jab in Martinique.

[@Drayonis]

European ancestors? You mean enlavers???

[@kevondouglas4088]

It was the our ancestors the slaves that started that

[@ike6209]

@@kevondouglas4088 Carnivale/Masquerade/Mardi Gras/J'ouvert are all French traditions but first islands in the Caribbean they were practices were Trinidad and Haiti after the crop was over every year they allowed the slaves to take part and fed them lots of liquor knowing that it along with music encouraged lots of sex/orgies among the slaves therefore ensuring births of new slaves for generations to come every year. The sole purpose of carnivale amongst the slaves was to make a new batch of slaves yearly,it was totally controlled by the French not the Africans. Thats why Jamaica never had carnival till trinidadians started it there some yrs ago, Jamaica was a Spanish and British colony,never ruled by france hence they never had carnival till recently.

[@lonalxaia]

@@ike6209 you forgot Martinique.

[@mikeysal231]

🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@kimaya.3563]

I'm Grenadian and I find y'all make this look scary and a little creepy.

[@akil2746]

What some Grenadians have against Trinidad? I know yall related to us but why you all and some other islands take every opportunity to slight and diss Trinis? 😂

[@devonwilson1662]

When did grenada invent jab jab.I am from Trinidad my grandad is grenadian he said everything came from Trinidad and he's over 84 yrs old so he aint lying .

[@GeometryDashKenaz]

Your grandad getting alzymers

[@omoluabiekpe3765]

That’s impossible. The Afrikans in Trini came with the French when the British took over Grenada. Djab Djab was already in motion before any Afrikans reached the shores of Trini

[@lesterscott7052]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 now everyone wanna claim jab jab what a joke, the only island that takes JAB JAB seriously is GREENZ the whole world 🌎 knows that ok Trini.

[@omoluabiekpe3765]

Devon Wilson Jab Jab was cultivated in Grenada then brought to Trinidad.

[@kevondouglas4088]

Jab was started in grenada wen the slaves destroyed their oppressors to gain freedom trinidad brought out the festival because after the Spanish bring slaves who was captured in grenada and also some of the runaway slaves ran to trinidad on their own

[@Cxnvict]

Grenadians like to follow and claim everything yes 😂

[@nutmegcurlsandcoils2736]

Follow???? No one does it like us

[@elsacalliste2421]

Drink some water bai

[@devonwilson1662]

Now if its a grenadian tradition ok kool but tell the world where yall borrow it from pls my goodness .

[@omoluabiekpe3765]

Devon Wilson where did they borrow it from?

[@edmondmcsween]

@@omoluabiekpe3765 West Africa. Benin

[@omoluabiekpe3765]

Edmond Nicödëmus Mcsween, Bsc any particular ethnic group?

[@ostjohn2230]

We didn't borrow and if it originated in West Africa our ancestors brought it with them. It's as much ours as theirs

[@omoluabiekpe3765]

spice girl Who “Ours” and “Theirs”? Why make false distinctions between our people just because we are geographically displaced?! It’s our’s (Afrikans). Now the question is, what Afrikans? We know that it either came from west/central Africa but we must find out what ethnic group (Yoruba, Fon, Bamileke, Ewe, Ashanti etc)

[@EliteXtasy]

That poor squid. Gross.

[@kayrose4859]

Ewwwwww the bloody animals in the mouth

[@mattboss6875]

So much misinformation in this video lolll😅😅😂😂 trinidad need to start gatekeeping our culture

[@kayrose4859]

And idc what nobody say this is 100% demonic

[@mariabrown6926]

Looks demonic

[@pharastar1]

maria brown 👋

[@TheTinaBelcher]

kinda the point

[@TheTinaBelcher]

goldbluetears the Caribbean and Africa are separate places. Believe it or not slaves developed their own culture whilst in captivity.

[@MHou4110]

shut up maria

[@goldbluetears]

Tina really, wow i didnt know that (sarcasm)! go to haiti, go to jamaica, go to cuba, go to brazil... you will find remnants of original african spiritual and cultural practices. aside from that, i was just pointing out that to equate the color black with demonic is an idea born of a eurocentric white supremacist mindset.

[@neenasarafina194]

Glorified Sin. Jesus you are returning and you will have the victory

[@h.williams947]

Oh girl...why come here to be miserable? You literally could’ve just kept scrolling. But, no. Here you are. Being aggravating smh.

[@sharonomar8888]

Jesus need jab jab

[@ostjohn2230]

Slavery was also a sin can't wait for victory

[@elsacalliste2421]

@@sharonomar8888 😂😂😂😂

[@SpiceScholar]

@@ostjohn2230 amen!

[@eclipse5393]

blacks doing black face

[@GeometryDashKenaz]

godhead not like we care

[@GeometryDashKenaz]

godhead this isn't America where we get triggered over painting your face black.. Everyone of every race can and do, do it

[@margaretlovely8970]

Beautiful