J’ouvert is marked by smaller groups and bands and a general free-for-all vibe.

J’ouvert bands congregate around main themes based on what they will cover their bodies with.

That’s right! Cover their bodies!

You see, J’ouvert is also like fingerpainting gone wild.

There are mud bands,

paint bands,

pitch (oil) bands,

(baby) powder bands,

and most recently chocolate bands!

Each band smears themselves in the coverings of their choice and dances through the streets looking for "victims", and when a blue band meets a mud band (or any other) at an intersection, well, it is sheer joy for each side to smear the other with their own "branding."