The song “Jamaica Farewell” evokes an extraordinary longing for the Caribbean. Coconut trees, Rum, perfect clear water sea, exceptionally soft beach sand, and the wonderful “briny” smell coming off the cool breeze from the ocean adds to the allure of the Caribbean but I can assure you that if Lord Burgess was sailing from Jamaica to Notting Hill, London England on the 26th August 2013, he would not have written that song because, the Caribbean and even Africa came to Notting Hill.
The display of perfectly made Jerk chicken, rice and Peas, Ackee and salt fish, Jamaican patty, loud music being played on 40 different sound systems, live stages featuring both local bands, and international artist from around the world, bright and peculiar costumes, beautifully decorated floats cascading down the streets with dancers and scantily-cladded revellers that could drive a saint to sin, the sound of laughter and an atmosphere charged with happiness and excitement was the composition of this year’s Notting Hill Carnival and Lord Burgess would have felt at home .
The weather was tropical and the turnout was impressive. Approximately 1 million from around the world attended, maintaining the carnival status as the largest of its kind in Europe.
The carnival is in two parts; the first day is tagged children’s day where children showcase their piece with a relatively lower turnout compare to the second part, which is mainly for adults.
The parade begun on Great Western Road, then along Chepstow Road on to Westbourne Grove, and ended up in Ladbroke Grove. After the floats left the streets in procession, people carried on partying at various after parties.
Though the Carnival had a predominantly Caribbean vibe to it, other ethnic minority took part and this year’s Nigerian Corner was the place to be. Nigeria was fully represented. Meat pie, Jollof Rice, Suya, Roasted Plantain, Corn-on-the curb were available
The live performances were done the Nigerian style and both Nigerians and none Nigerians took to the dance floor in excitement. It was amazing to see people of other ethnicity trying to mimic the dance steps.
The MC Ganga Adeyinka, opened the gyration by paying tribute to late Nigerian artists.
TV Show host TejuBabyface made a brief appearance, sexy KWAM 1’s daughter, Honey B dazzled the crowd with her fiery performance and mesmerizing body even MC Ganga could not take his eyes off her.
Tillaman, TispsyDir Sid, Dayo d1 adeneye, Sunday Are, Naeto C, Ayo Shonaiya, Alariwo of Africaalso wowed the crowd with their performances
Amid all the splendour of the carnival, it is easy to forget the motive behind the carnival which started as a local festival set up by West Indian immigrates and people living locally who wanted a forum to bring those living in Notting hill together majority of whom were facing racism, lack of working opportunities and poor housing conditions, which resulted to suppression of good self-esteem, which wasn’t different from what they experienced during slavery.
The need to express themselves grew very strong and Notting Hill Carnival was born.
Although the first carnival was organised by exiled American Claudia Jones (Mother of Notting Hill Carnival) in 1959 and was indoors at St. Pancras Town Hall and was more of a social event than an Afro- Caribbean event, it was Rhaune Laslett that brought the Carnival to Notting Hill when she invited members of various ethnic groups in Notting Hill to take part in a weeklong event that would end with an august bank holiday parade and ever since the Carnival has been held inAugust and have grown more diverse, bigger and richer in content.
Like everything of this magnitude, the carnival had its fair share of controversies over the years. In 1976, a riot broke out at the end of the carnival resulting to the injury of about 100 police officers. About 60 Carnival goers had to be taken to the hospital and 66 people were arrested. Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon who were two famous participants at the riot later formed the seminal punk band The Clash and wrote the song ‘white Riot’ about the event.
There have been records of violence through the years, which flooded newspaper headlines creating a showdown of fear over the Carnival. However, this years’ Carnival was relatively calm with a reduced crime rate.
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