Primary school students took to the streets in colourful costumes on Saturday, 2 May for the children’s version of Cayman’s carnival Batabano.
School groups danced through the streets of George Town to soca music in a bid to select the brightest and the best after an afternoon of competition.
Wendy-Ann George, organiser of Junior Batabano, now in its 21st year, said, “What we do is to educate and celebrate Cayman and Caribbean culture.”
She added the theme for the 2026 event, which kicked off on Cardinall Avenue, was Cayman cultural icons.
“Every year we try to find a theme that will attract interest. This year it’s cultural icons, either living or deceased,” George said.
“The teachers have said this is one of the best days of the school year. The kids really look forward to it.
“It gives them the chance to learn about Cayman and Caribbean culture and gives them the chance to mingle and socialise.”
This year’s even featured a group from Theoline L. McCoy Primary School in Bodden Town, which honoured Donna Myrie, the chairwoman of Cayman Carnival Batabano with “From Batabano with Love”.
St Ignatius Catholic Primary School went all in with two groups, “Fly My Butterfly” in honour of the late jewellery designer Bernard Passman, and “Beat that Drum” to celebrate Julia Hydes, a drummer and songwriter, who died in 2015 aged 106.
Sir John A. Cumber Primary School in West Bay took to the streets with “Give Miss Reba Her Flowers” a tribute to fashion icon and carnival costume designer, the late Reba Dilbert.
Joanna Clarke Primary School in Savannah staged “Markings to the World” to celebrate the life and work of the late Gladwyn Klosking Bush, known as Miss Lassie, a renowned folk artist.
Kimia Hemmings, the primary years programme coordinator at Joanna Clarke Primary, said the school was “very excited” because it had won the stage performance category last year and wanted to defend their title.
She added, “It takes us a few months to prepare and get it all ready.
“The event is very important to us. It informs us and we’re very happy to identify with a legend of Caymanian art.
“The children are really excited about representing and they picked songs that reflected them being in the capital.”
Event judge Henry Hill added, “It was really beautiful. I thought they really encapsulated the spirit of Batabano and the kids enjoyed a lovely day. This is part of our heritage and culture and it’s a beautiful thing.”
Natasha Valerio, another judge, said, “I’m very impressed by the choreography, the organisation and the costumes. The vibe, the energy … was incredible.”
Related Videos
