For the occasion, in Cayenne, Rico and Samy dressed "chiti", "sexy" in Creole.

"Each week, we define a theme. There, it's + cane cutter + but we made a dissidence", laughs Rico, 42, member of the carnival group "New cocoy band" from the Montabo district in Cayenne (Guyana) .

“We become kids again,” adds his friend Samy, 40, to AFP.

Started on January 8, with the epiphany, the carnival of Guyana will end on March 2, Ash Wednesday, but this year, the events are fewer than usual.

Covid obliges, exit the great parade of Kourou but also the "vidés" which consist of following on foot a group of musicians perched on a tank.

As for the dance halls, limited in gauge and subject to the vaccination pass, they are particularly shunned.

But for Emilie, 41, from Rémire-Montjoly, the carnival remains "the party of the year".

She came with her family, all disguised, to "position herself at the back of the carnivalesque groups that parade in the city center of Cayenne, she explains to AFP.

Carnival parade in Cayenne, February 20, 2022 in Guyana jody amiet AFP

For nothing in the world, this enthusiast would not miss her parade.

Even the cancellation of the carnival in 2021 due to the pandemic did not prevent it from marching "for fat days", despite the bans.

"Carnival, a valve"

"It's as if Christmas had been taken away from us", abounds Florent, 58, from the West Indies.

He likes "the atmosphere, the music, the festive side" of the carnival.

"It's an opportunity to let go and behind a mask, we can afford it".

However, Florent only participates "from afar", "too shy" to join a group.

Carnival parade in Cayenne, February 20, 2022 in Guyana jody amiet AFP

Camille, 68, who lives in downtown Cayenne, was part of a carnival group.

Today, she is worried "that we won't be able to do it physically because we walk a lot during the parade", she explains to AFP, "but we feel like we are growing wings and when we have fallen in , difficult to get out of it.

Last year, Camille felt "sad" about the cancellation.

"For two years, we were locked up, private. The carnival is a valve for people. It allows them to let off steam," she told AFP.

"When we've had a bad week, we come to the carnival and forget everything," Morgann, 16, told AFP.

"It's in our genes, even with the Covid, it can't be taken away from us," he claims.

Carnival parade in Cayenne, February 20, 2022 in Guyana jody amiet AFP

What did he miss the most in 2021?

"Music, what I prefer," he explains, skipping.

In particular "la batucada", this Brazilian percussion orchestra present in many carnival groups on Sunday in Cayenne.

Have fun and express yourself

Helan Da Silva, 43, also leads a batucada.

He is the leader of the group "ASC Koute-mo", recognizable by his lycra jersey, typical of the "bloco", these neighborhood groups of the Brazilian carnival.

Musicians at the front, big sound system mounted on a pick-up at the back, the "ASC Koute-mo" carries behind it many young people around the Place des Palmistes, the nerve center of Cayenne.

Carnival parade in Cayenne, February 20, 2022 in Guyana jody amiet AFP

"Carnival is a way to have fun, but the street also allows you to express yourself, to show that Brazilians are part of Guyanese culture," Helan Da Silva told AFP.

"It brings people together from many communities. Carnival is an important part of culture, from the Caribbean to Brazil," said Damien, 47, who came with his 8-year-old daughter Sarah.

"I love this popular jubilation. That's carnival!"

© 2022 AFP