Carnival today is an international£¬multicultural experience.But 1.how did it become so? The 2.arrival(arrive) of Europeans in America£¬and the opening of huge farms and plantations to grow cotton£¬fruit and vegetables£¬meant there was an immediate need for people to work on them.This marked the beginning of the slave trade.

3£®Naturally(natural)£¬the Europeans also imported their own festivals.So the slaves were forced 4.to watch(watch) as their masters celebrated carnival with food£¬drink£¬and masked dances.But at the same time they were continuing their own African traditions—such as walking round a village 5.wearing(wear) masks and singing—a custom which they thought would bring good luck.

When the slave trade 6.was abolished(abolish) in 1838 the former slaves took 7.over the carnival.It became more 8.colourful(colour) and more exciting than it had been before.Magnificent costumes were made and musical bands created.Carnival became a 9.celebration(celebrate) of freedom.

10£®With the passing of time£¬Carnival became a way to unite different communities£¬as people forgot their  everyday problems and enjoyed themselves eating£¬drinking£¬and dancing.Carnival has become a celebration of life itself.