La festival de Capisterre

Village unity

The Capisterre district contains four separate communities: Newton Ground, St. Paul's, Dieppe Bay Town, and Parson's Ground. These settlements are spread out across sugarcane fields, far from the capital city of Basseterre. Locals often refer to this remote area as 'the back of de land.' Before 2001, each village was too small to host a major profitable event on its own. By combining their resources and populations, they created the largest community festival in the entire federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Historical context

The Capisterre region holds the distinction of being the first area settled by Europeans on the island of St. Kitts. From 1625 until 1713, it formed part of French St. Christophe. This long colonial history provides a deep backdrop for the modern festivities. The current festival structure emerged much later, designed specifically to bridge the geographical and social gaps between the isolated villages. It stands as a testament to the resilience and cooperative spirit of the local population.

Economic impact

Financial success is a core goal of the festival. The combined effort of all four villages allows for a larger scale event than any single settlement could achieve. Revenue generated from activities during the festival is not kept by organizers but is directed back into the communities. These funds are used to improve local infrastructure and services, ensuring that the economic benefits of the celebration directly enhance the daily lives of residents in Newton Ground, St. Paul's, Dieppe Bay Town, and Parson's Ground.

How La festival de Capisterre is kept

Four villages in the Capisterre region unite to organize and participate in the festival. Held in September alongside Independence celebrations, the event draws large crowds from across the federation. Activities generate substantial income, which is then redistributed to support community improvements in each participating village. The collaboration transforms individual small-scale efforts into the nation's largest community festival.

When and where

The festival takes place annually in September. It is timed to coincide with the national Independence celebrations, marking a period of civic pride and communal gathering for the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The event is centered in the Capisterre region of Saint Kitts. This area includes Newton Ground, St. Paul's, Dieppe Bay Town, and Parson's Ground. These villages are located away from the capital, Basseterre, in an area historically known as 'the back of de land' due to its distance from the main urban center.

What La festival de Capisterre means

The festival symbolizes unity among geographically dispersed villages. It represents a shift from isolation to cooperation, allowing smaller communities to achieve greater cultural and economic visibility. The event reinforces local identity while fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support among the residents of the Capisterre district.

Questions people ask about La festival de Capisterre

See also

Moko JumbieA stilt-walking tradition from the Caribbean that blends African heritage with local carnival celebrations.Mummers' playA comic folk drama of staged combat, death, and revival by an eccentric doctorChristmasA festival of Jesus's birth, kept on 25 December with gifts, lights and shared mealsHalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritage

Good reading and sources

• La festival de Capisterre on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.