BadGalRiri Rihanna Gets Down at Barbados' Crop Over

Article by: Chris Hong|@thelivebite

Fri August 07, 2015 | 00:00 AM


What is the big buzz about with Crop Over ? Boasting colorful costumes, jovial music, and endless dancing, Crop Over is Barbados’ most popular and colorful festival. Oh, and it’s one of Rihanna’s favorite festivals as well. Seems like RiRi's got good taste!

A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on

The roots of the festival can be traced back to the 1780s, a time when Barbados thrived as the largest sugar industry in the world. Plantations and communities hosted Crop Over to celebrate the end of the sugar harvest season but, as the sugar industry declined, so did Crop Over. The festival was briefly terminated in the 1940s. In 1974, Crop Over was revived and adopted several modern elements from neighboring events. With that, the Barbados tradition was reborn.

Thousands of people dressed in beautiful colors, feathered headdresses, and shimmering adornments flock to Crop Over every year. Multi-platinum recording artist Rihanna, who was born in Saint Michael, Barbados, is one of them. This year, Rihanna stole the show by donning her Grand Kadooment outfit – decorated with blue and teal feathers, jewels, and body chains – drinking, twerking, and generally partying it up in her native country (and posting all the Instagram pics to prove it).

A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on

The Grand Kadooment, which is Bajan for “Big Deal” or “Big Fuss,” is the festival’s finale event. The carnival parade features live calypso music from ensembles dressed in themed costumes, all vying for the coveted Designer of the Year prize.

While the contest influences various groups to dress to impress, revelers like Rihanna simply dress to have a good time. How can you not when you’re surrounded by spirited music and a kaleidoscope of colors? And forget the competition, Rihanna already won; congrats to her designer, because the outfit is one of a kind and stunning. BadGalRiri knows it, too. She’s just too humble to admit it. Or is she?

A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on

Learn more about Barbados’ Crop Over festival here .