Sophia Wilson, Carnaval Guadeloupe (PEOPLE 2024)

LIVE OR DIE FREE. This was the motto of Louis Delgrés, a man who faught for liberation. He was a soldier and officer of the French Republic during the late 1700s. After the Haitian revolution, Delgrés deserted the army with a group of local freedom fighters, revolting against Napoléon's decision to reestablish slavery in the French colonies of the Caribbean. Louis Delgrés fought against slavery until his death in May 1802. He refused to surrender when cornered in Matouba and died with around 300 of his men from their own barrels of gun powder. Shortly after, in June of 1802, slavery was reestablished in Guadeloupe. It was not until 1848 that the abolition of slavery was proclaimed in Guadeloupe. The significance of carnaval, still celebrated today across the region, is rooted in the struggle for freedom and solidarity. This photograph was taken in Guadeloupe during the 2024 carnaval season. People danced through the streets, many in costumes like this. Drums and chanting could be heard throughout the towns and villages. It is a hommage to the spirit, power, beauty and movement of this incredible culture and peoples.

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