Worship in the mas: Walk Holy stands firm during Grand Kadooment

Amid the feathers, mesh, beads and bejewelled bikinis that filled the streets on Monday for the Flow Grand Kadooment 2025, one band again stood out with a different kind of vibe and sound that was grounded in faith, national pride, and overall modesty.

The Walk Holy band, which kicked off its journey on the parade route with a live band and singers belting out gospel hits like Sinach’s I Know Who I Am, brought a striking contrast to the revelry which followed it.

Women were fully clothed in skirts and patriotic colours of blue, yellow, and black, a stark difference from the near-naked styles, jewellery and sequins that characterise many other bands on the road.

Walk Holy band member and President of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes, Sean ‘Apache’ Carter.

President of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA), Sean Apache Carter, who was part of the band, said the message was intentional and aligned with the history of the season.

“When we look at the heritage of Barbados… the culture of where Crop Over came from, it started as a festival of thanksgiving, so we thought… that it would be good to have a representation of God in a significant way back in the midst of the festival,” he told Barbados TODAY.

Acknowledging that not everyone agrees with the band’s presence in Kadooment, especially some within the Christian community, Carter stood firmly behind the Walk Holy mission.

“If Jesus was here on the earth today… He would be right here in Bridgetown. When we look in the Bible, we see that Jesus was where the people were, and that’s our philosophy and mindset,” he said. 

The BACA official revealed that the band’s 2025 theme, We Are the Patriots, was also a nod to cultural identity, with revellers donning the national colours and marching alongside a float bearing the Barbadian flag. 

He said the band wanted to reflect pride in the country’s heritage and faith in God, both of which he contended are on the decline. 

A member of the Walk Holy band.

“We’re slowly losing that aspect of our culture,” he noted. “And if you look at the Walk Holy band, it’s not just feathers, beads, and heels… there’s always costuming for the persons in the band, and I think it’s important to keep that alive as well.”

When asked about the message he hopes to send, Carter did not shy away: “Jesus is still the King of culture, God is still the God of this land, and we pray for a peaceful Crop Over and peaceful Kadooment Day.”

Though few in number compared to the larger bands that followed, Walk Holy had spectators on their feet worshipping, an unusual sight for festivities of this nature. 

For visitors like Anne Etheridge, a first-time Kadooment spectator who travelled from Birmingham, Alabama, the Walk Holy band left a deep impression.

“I wish all the bands revolved around Jesus, That’s awesome… special,” she said after watching them perform. 

Etheridge last visited Barbados 40 years ago, returning just in time to experience Grand Kadooment. 

“I expect to see beautiful costumes and people having a good time and enjoying their rum,” she shared.