St. Vincent and the Grenadines wrapped up its unique December festival, Nine Mornings, on December 24.

The festival is believed to have evolved from slaves being required to accompany their enslavers as they attended early morning Christmas Novena services at the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. 

However, not permitted to attend, they found different activities in which to engage while waiting, and becoming the unwitting inventors of the festival.

The annual festival includes staged entertainment, church attendance, sea bathing, cycling, and other games in various communities and runs from December 16 to Christmas Eve.