It was originally a harvest festival, at which drums, singing, dancing and chanting were an integral part. After Emancipation (1834), it developed into an outlet and a festival for former indentured laborers and freed slaves who were banned from participating in the masquerade carnival events – derived from European Christian traditions – of the colonial elite, and whose drums and religious observances were also outlawed in the late 19th century.
Originally a harvest festival where drums, singing, dancing, and chanting played crucial roles, it evolved into an event for former indentured laborers and freed slaves who could not participate in the colonial elite's masquerade carnival celebrations – inspired by European Christian traditions – after Emancipation (1834). Their drumming and religious observances were also outlawed by the late 19th century.