Dominica's Carnival Season Gets Underway

Calypso bands and costumed revelers danced though the narrow lanes of Dominica's capital as the lush tropical island's annual Carnival season kicked off.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Roseau over the weekend for the celebration's opening to shimmy to Caribbean dance beats as masqueraders in ornate sequined costumes and towering headdresses marched past in formation.

As in many Caribbean nations, Carnival in Dominica is an annual rite of dancing, colorful costumes and tradition. The event took hold after the end of slavery in the region in 1834. Dominica's Carnival celebrations will culminate with a band competition on February 19 to 20.