London Notting Hill Carnival
Held each August Bank Holiday
since 1966, Notting Hill Carnival is the
largest celebration of its kind in Europe.
Started as a local festival set up by the West Indian immigrants of
the area it has now become a full-blooded Caribbean carnival,
attracting millions of visitors from around the world. With scores
of massive sound systems, many spectacular floats and, of course,
the traditional steel drum bands, plus hundreds of stalls lining the
streets this is probably London’s most exciting annual event and
we’re here to give you the lowdown on every minute of it ...
The Music
Music is at the heart of Notting Hill Carnival, with traditional and
contemporary sounds filling the air for miles around. Historically
steel bands, Soca & Calypso Music have been at the heart of Carnival
but in recent years these have been overtaken by the static sound
systems playing anything from Reggae to R&B, Funk, House, Dub and
much more. Live stages also feature local bands, top international
artists and sounds from around the world - Eddie Grant, Jamiroquai,
Wyclef Jean, Courtney Pine and Burning Spear have been among the
eclectic line up in previous years.
The Parade
Think Carnival and images of bright, outlandish costumes,
imaginative floats and dancing on the streets inevitably spring to
mind. The Carnival parade winds through three miles of Notting
Hill’s major streets, flanked by visitors jostling to get a look at
what’s happening. A parade takes place on each day of Carnival - on
Sunday the Children’s Day parade is less spectacular but also less
crowded while Monday is traditionally main parade day - with groups
from as far afield as South America, Africa and, of course, the
Caribbean bringing music, dance and costume to the area in
spectacular style.
The Costumes
Traditionally Mas is at the heart of Carnival culture. For months
in advance groups taking part in this year’s event will have been
working on intricate costumes; designing, making patterns, sewing,
gluing and painting. Some of these groups will be professional
costume makers, others community projects with little or no
experience but plenty of enthusiasm. Wherever they begin the
amazing end results are just what makes Notting Hill Carnival
recognisable the world over.
The Food
There’s nothing quite like the smell of Carnival - no we’re
not talking sweaty drinkers who can’t find their way to the nearest
public convenience, we’re talking traditional Caribbean food. For
many of us Carnival is all about the scoff and the sup. One of the
few public events where food is about more than salmonella burgers
and undercooked chips, Notting Hill Carnival provides the perfect
introduction to jerk chicken, rice and peas and rum punch as well as
the odd taste of other exotic cuisines.
Please click on links on the right for Pictures and Videos.
