‘Carnival is for whores’

‘My man/woman could never go carnival’

‘Whining while you’re in a relationship is cheating’

‘All Caribbeans know is sex’

 

Whew… If I had a pound for every time I heard/saw one of these statements I’d probably be able to put down a deposit for Trinidad Carnival, and you know that thing is expensive as hell! Let me start off by saying that all of those statements are a load of rubbish.

Carnival is not for whores(????). Whining is not cheating, it’s just a dance. Grow up! And ‘Caribbeans’ isn’t even a word.

Carnival is a beautiful cultural experience celebrated in the Caribbean and beyond and I feel like if people knew the real meanings of carnival then maybe their ignorant opinions would change.

 

So what is carnival?

I’ll keep this brief…

Carnival as we know it started in Trinidad in the 18th century. It was a form of rebellion created by the slaves who decided to create their own event after years of being excluded from the carnivals the slave owners participated in. It was also a demonstration of self-expression, ‘pretty mas’ allows people to show off their inner and outer beauty.

Then we have The Notting Hill Carnival. Founded in the 1960s, it was created in response to the race riots that had taken place in the Notting Hill area. The Carnival was a political protest against the police’s treatment of the black and other migrant people living in the area and aimed to rebel against the negative stereotypes that had been placed on them and the area.

However, Carnival is not just an avenue for protest and rebellion; it is also a way of forging a West Indian identity for those not physically living in the Caribbean. The Notting Hill Carnival in London plays a crucial part in blending the wide variety of identifications that are available in Britain. It is a tool for bringing members of the diaspora together to celebrate their heritage. The Notting Hill Carnival is premised so strongly on the Carnivals of the Caribbean (namely, Trinidad carnival) that it means that the people of the diaspora are able to still feel a strong link to the place they call home.

Ok, so where did all these negative views of carnival come from?

Honestly, I wish I knew. I think it’s mainly down to people’s ignorance. People insult what they do not understand. Carnival isn’t sexual in the slightest despite what it may look like from the outside looking in. The costumes you see women wearing are beautiful, yes they may be revealing but so what? Look with your eyes and not your crotches and maybe you’ll see the beauty too. We are very open to everyone joining us with this celebration of life and heritage and that may be to our detriment. NHC is a space for all Black people to enjoy yes, but do not attempt to dismiss the fact that it is inherently Caribbean.

 

And if after all of this you still don’t understand, or care to understand my culture then please, on that August Bank Holiday weekend just stay home. I promise you, you won’t be missed.

RiiHD x