Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival is a large street festival that takes place in London at the end of August each year, this year taking place from the 28th to the 30th August. The festival has its roots in the Caribbean carnivals which came about during the 19th century – particularly in Trinidad – which began as a celebration of the abolition of slavery.

The festival first took place in 1959, as an indoor event organised by political activist and civil rights campaigner Claudia Jones, who was born in Trinidad and grew up in New York. In 1964 the festival took to the street, as a means to showcase the abilities of the local steel band musicians, who paraded through the streets of Notting Hill, drawing people out of their houses to come and listen.

Music, in particular steel band music, is one of the main attractions of the Carnival. Soca and Calypso music have also historically been played at the festival, however more recently, static sound systems located around the Carnival area can be heard playing reggae, R&B, funk, and many other musical styles. Live performances by popular artists also take place at the festival, recently including acts such as Wycleff Jean and Jamiroquai.

The main parade is the highlight of the weekend, and features elaborate floats, dancers and performers. All are elaborately decorated in costumes called Mas, and there are competitions to award a prize to some of the best costumes. Some participants spend months creating complex costumes, ranging from decorative, feathered and sequinned outfits, to giant puppets controlled by several people.

Other aspects of Caribbean culture are celebrated at the festival, such as traditional cuisine. Tempting food stalls can be found throughout the festival area, serving dishes such as jerk chicken, fried plantain and curries.

Despite its Caribbean origins, the festival now incorporates many other communities in its celebrations, such as the South American, Middle Eastern and Asian communities in London. The focus of the festival is on celebrating the wide diversity of the UK’s capital city.

In the past, the celebrations have been occasionally marred by disturbances and violence, however such instances are uncommon and involve only a small minority of festival-goers. Around one million people attend the main parade, while many more visit the festival over the weekend.

Will you be attending the Notting Hill Carnival? If you are, why not send us your story and pictures? Send them to contribute@nccedu.com and you could see your story published on ezine, and you will also be entered into a draw to win an MP3 player through our latest competition – Your Campus Needs You!

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Categories: Festivals (Articles)

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