Carnival.

Carnival is a major celebration during which people dress up in costumes and parade through the streets.

In Martinique tradition....

Carnival revolves around a large puppet called Bwabwa or Vaval.
The term bwabwa also designates a stupid and/or clumsy person.

Naturally, this puppet mocks a person or an event for the duration of the festivities.

Dimanche gras is the official opening day of Carnival in Martinique.
Costumes are free.

Shrove Monday is burlesque wedding day, when women traditionally dress in men's suits and men in white dresses (wedding gowns).

Shrove Tuesday is the day of devils and imps, and the dominant color is red.

Ash Wednesday is the day of Vaval's cremation.
On this day, people are dressed in “funeral” garb, and the dominant color of disguises is black.

On Wednesday evening, the Bwabwa and all it represents are burned.
This cremation serves to ward off evil.

The following day, Lent begins.