Dubbed ‘The Real Mas’,

Mas Domnik brings together African and French traditions and attracts revelers from far and wide to witness a dazzling display of social solidarity and a cultural explosion of music, art and dance.

What began as a tradition of costume festivals and carousing by slaves celebrating their freedom through masquerade, dancing and singing in the streets soon became a fundamental aspect of carnival, as it was a rare opportunity for revelers to celebrate a culture uniquely their own. Carnival historically takes place on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. In the months leading up to Carnival, there are Calypso shows, village festivals and pageants. Traditionally, Monday and Tuesday are the two final days of celebration before the quiet and reflective Lenten period.

Mas Domnik, themed as the Real Mas for keeping to the traditional roots, celebrates carnival with street parades showcasing our traditional roots such as the Sensé or BwaBwa, drumming from the Lapeau Kabwit Bands and dancing to Calypso or Bouyon Music. The main carnival celebration starts in the early hours of J’ouvert morning up until Carnival Tuesday, with several cultural activities culminating in a burial ritual on Ash Wednesday. Recognized as one of Dominica’s three signature events, Mas Domnik – The Real Mas, remains sought after by many regional and international media. Its popularity provides invaluable and far-reaching exposure for Dominica and all its offerings as a cultural and festival haven. Mas Domnik -The Real Mas is also famed for building regional cooperation and network capabilities in tourism, culture, and entertainment.

Though Mas Domnik -The Real Mas has entered the modern age through adaptations of costumes and the inclusion of T-shirt bands, the event continues to be characterized with traditional offerings. Mas Domnik- The Real Mas aims to continue to place Dominica as a top cultural and festival tourism destination within the region as well as give maximum exposure to all our partners.

Come entice your imagination and experience the ultimate cultural intimacy with the most original carnival in the Caribbean.

1940’s

1945 – Jeanne Delacoux
1946 – Sonya Rawle
1947 – No Competition
1948 – Ursula Etienne
1949 – Marie Winston

Previous queens

1950’s

1950 – Winifred Paul
1951 – Jo Royer
1952 – Mable Piper
1953 – Gloria Rawle
1954 – No Competition
1955 – Charmaine Bellot
1956 – Zillah Lawrence
1957 – Janet LaRonde-Stephens
1958 – Carol Williams
1959 – Christabel Jolly

1960’S

1960 – Annette Hill
1961 – Susan Adrian-Nesty
1962 – Alex Shillingford
1963 – Avonelle Shillingford
1964 – Alison Trotter
1965 – Evadney Charles
1966 – Deidre Bellot
1967 – Claudia Hill
1968 – Eva Bruney
1969 – Rosemary Giraud

1970’s

1970 – Patricia Lander
1971 – Anthea Mondesire
1972 – Isabella Shillingford
1973 – Kathleen Telemacque
1974 – Martha Dalrymple
1975 – Marie-Louise Rock
1976 – Jennifer Christmas
1977 – Sandra Edwards
1978 – Margaret Joseph
1979 – No Competition

1980’s

1980 – FEDRINA SAMPSON
1981 – ELETRA DUCREAY
1982 – ANTHEA BURTON
1983 – NORMA ROLLE
1984 – SANDRA BROWNE
1985 – MARGARETTE ROSE COOLS-LARTIGUE
1986 – DIAN FRANCIS
1987 – LORNA CHALLENGER
1988 – JULENTA COIPEL
1989 – MARCELLA LAROCQUE-MENAL

1990’s

1990 – Cathy Burton
1991 – Martha Augustus
1992 – Gloria Ophar
1993 – Francillia Agar
1994 – Levi Beaupierre
1995 – Darney Wayland
1996 – Pricilla St. Ville
1997 – Giesel Francis
1998 – Kamala Jno-Baptiste-Aaron
1999 – Vanessa Isles

2000’s

2000 – Darna Roberts
2001 – Kimani Felicite-St Jean
2002 – Samantha Doctrove-Letang
2003 – Minerve Lewis-Blanchard
2004 – Elhanna Alexis
2005 – Charlene Richards
2006 – Nakita Bruno
2007 – Leandra Lander
2008 – Marah Walter
2009 – Kayan Toussaint

2010’S

2010 – Marcia Baptiste
2011 – Jacintha Fagan
2012 – Nadira Lando
2013 – Leslassa Armour-Shillingford
2014 – Francine Baron
2015 – Odessa Elie
2016 – Tasia Floissac
2017 – Jade Romain
2018 – No Competition
2019 – Marisol John

2020’S

2020 – Savahnn James
2021 – No Competition
2022 – No Competition

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