The Cultural Significance of the Notting Hill Carnival

Like many of my fellow Brightonians, my August Bank Holiday weekend is well planned in advance and could be considered by some to be somewhat lacking in variety. However, if you have been to the Notting Hill Carnival, then I am sure you are able to understand my attraction to the colourful carnival which continues to draw millions of revellers from all corners of the world.

The History

The Notting Hill carnival remains the largest street festival in Europe and can trace its roots back to 1964 as an outlet for the African-Caribbean communities to celebrate their cultures and traditions in a country which was not as racially diverse and tolerant as it is today.

The carnival can trace its roots all the way back to Trinidad and the street carnivals of the early 19^th century, which celebrated the end of slavery and the slave trade. The story goes that the very first Notting Hill Carnival consisted of the steel band musicians who played in Earls Court every weekend. As the band paraded through the streets on Notting Hill, it drew local residents from the Caribbean out of their homes, allowing them to be briefly reminded of their homelands they had left behind. These brave individuals should be lauded for their bravery in the face of British racism, which had led to race riots on the streets of Notting Hill in 1958.

Today

Today the Notting Hill Carnival has evolved into Europe’s largest street parties; the streets are lined with a variety of different entertainment options, ranging from folding tables offering a variety of traditional Caribbean food and drinks. to stalls offering children the chance to paint their faces with traditional colours and patterns. There is also plenty of fun for the adults as well with the chance to indulge in a drink or two and dance the weekend away with those around you.

However, the carnival continues to have a somewhat undeserved reputation for crime and violence, especially amongst certain elements of the UK media. It is well worth remembering the fact that if the carnival’s crime rate was the same as the incredibly white and middle class festival, Glastonbury, it would have witnessed 750 arrests instead of the 454 that were made. Is there any other event in the UK that receives such biased media coverage?

Racism Is Still Alive & Kicking

Anyone who has never experienced the joy of carnival would be forgiven for believing that it is one of the most dangerous events ever to be held in this country. However, in reality, you find all sorts of different people attending from a variety of different backgrounds.

A friend of mine from France seemed to be under the impression that the whole weekend was an invitation for the youth of London to run amok and cause carnage, needless to say that she was pleasantly surprised when she attended last month and had a fantastic time. It is hardly a surprise that those who have never attended are left with this impression. The UK media continues to portray young black men as being lovers or crime and violence, why should a weekend in August be any different?

Not On Our Doorstep, Thanks

In the half a century since the initial carnival, the poverty and working class of Notting Hill have been replaced by luxury houses and residents with more money than they can spend. There have been numerous threats to make the carnival sterile and dull by moving it to Hyde Park, luckily it has received fierce criticism from all sides and has been resisted, for the time being.

It goes without saying that the Notting Hill Carnival is now very much a British tradition and one that should be celebrated as a beacon to showcase our nation’s diversity and solidarity in the face of the ever-increasing xenophobia on our streets since the referendum to leave the EU.

Here’s to the next carnival!