Batabano Honors Our Carnival Matriarch: Reba Dilbert

With hearts full of love and immense admiration, the Batabano family celebrates the life and legacy of a woman who embodied the very soul of our Carnival—Reba Dilbert, lovingly known as the Mother of Batabano.

A Life Devoted to Carnival

Born on June 15, 1954, Reba graced our world with a spirit as vibrant as the costumes she would come to create. For 42 magnificent years, she blessed our streets with her passion, her artistry, and her unwavering devotion to Caymanian culture. She missed just one parade in all that time—a testament to her deep commitment and fierce pride in our traditions.

Even this year, knowing it would be her final lap, Reba went down the road with dignity and grace. Despite facing significant health challenges, she showed up with strength and determination, gifting us one last moment of her magic in May 2025. Her courage in the face of adversity exemplified the indomitable spirit that made her such an inspiration to all who knew her.

Master of Her Craft

Reba was more than a designer—she was a storyteller, a cultural ambassador, and a keeper of our island’s soul. Her costumes didn’t just adorn bodies; they told the stories of our people, our land, and our heritage. Through fabric and feather, colour and creativity, she brought our natural world to life on the carnival road.

Her designs were love letters to the Cayman Islands. You would see going down the road the magnificent Cayman Parrot in all its emerald glory, the noble Iguana basking in sequined splendour, the humble Mosquito transformed into art, the ancient Turtle swimming through crowds, the towering Silver Thatch Palm swaying in the breeze, the delicate Banana Orchid blooming with pride, and the iconic Conch shell echoing our maritime heritage. The list is endless, for Reba’s imagination was boundless.

This is what her designs were about  - making the relatable beautiful, taking the everyday wonders of Caymanian life and elevating them to carnival royalty. Every stitch carried meaning, every color told a story, and every creation was a celebration of who we are as a people.

A Legacy of Leadership

Reba designed and produced costumes for both Junior Batabano and Adult Batabano, nurturing the next generation while continuing to inspire her peers. Her West Bay revellers knew they had something special in their midst. Like Ted, who was always her King, they understood that to walk with Reba was to feel the very essence of Batabano coursing through their veins.

Her presence lifted every soul around her. She was a heartbeat, a visionary, a guide who showed us all what it meant to truly live our culture rather than simply perform it. In her hands, carnival became more than entertainment—it became a sacred celebration of our identity.

The Heart of Community

Beyond the glitter and glamour, Reba was the beating heart of our carnival community. She mentored countless designers, inspired generations of masqueraders, and created a legacy that will continue to influence Batabano for years to come. Her workshop was a place of magic where dreams took shape and culture came alive.

To her loyal West Bay family and all who had the privilege of calling her friend, Reba’s departure leaves an irreplaceable void. Yet in our sorrow, we find strength in knowing that her spirit will forever dance alongside us on the carnival road.

Forever in Motion

Batabano has lost an artery, but we will pump on, highlighting and honoring this icon who gave us so much. Her legacy will forever ripple through the Carnival she helped to build and the community she cherished. Every feather that catches the Caribbean breeze, every costume that tells our story, every moment of joy on the carnival road will carry a piece of Reba’s spirit.

To her family and all who loved her—thank you for sharing her light with us. Thank you for allowing her to pour her heart into our community, for supporting her through decades of dedication, and for understanding that she belonged not just to you, but to all of us who were touched by her magic.

 Rest in Colorful Carnival, Reba. The road may go quiet without your touch, but we will dance in your honour, every year, every step. We will carry forward your vision of carnival as cultural celebration, your commitment to authenticity, and your belief that our island’s natural beauty deserves to be celebrated in all its glory.

Your designs will continue to inspire. Your stories will continue to be told. Your legacy will live on in every costume that celebrates our Caymanian heritage, in every young designer who dreams of following in your footsteps, and in every masquerader who understands that carnival is about more than just pretty costumes—it’s about celebrating who we are.

You will Forever be Celebrated. Your Legacy will live on. Batabano will never be the same without you, but it will be better because of you.