History of Carnival Celebrations

Study Notes

Slavery in Trinidad

During slavery, black slaves were forbidden to play musical instruments and wear costumes except on the occasion of the traditional European carnival.
Slaves were also forbidden to be on the streets after dark, unless they were accompanying their master.

Emancipation and Carnival Celebrations

When slavery was abolished in British colonies in 1833, former slaves took to the streets in song and dance to celebrate their new-found freedom.
They dressed up in fancy and colorful clothes and powdered their faces white to mimic their former masters and show that they could be masters too.

Notting Hill Carnival

In 1964, a Trinidadian steel band was invited to take part in a street festival in Notting Hill, London, giving birth to Europe's greatest street carnival.
The first festival was an immediate success, with the steel band attracting local residents to come out and enjoy themselves.

Evolution of Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival has evolved into a huge multi-cultural arts festival, attended by up to two million people.
It has become the annual high point of London's Afro-Caribbean community and attracts people from all over Britain and other countries.
The carnival has grown in variety, reflecting the multi-colored and cosmopolitan nature of modern London, with participation from groups from around the world.
It features almost fifty static stages with bands playing different types of music, including West Indian, jazz, soul, and other popular varieties.

Slavery in Trinidad

During slavery, black slaves were forbidden to play musical instruments and wear costumes except on the occasion of the traditional European carnival.
Slaves were also forbidden to be on the streets after dark, unless they were accompanying their master.

Emancipation and Carnival Celebrations

When slavery was abolished in British colonies in 1833, former slaves took to the streets in song and dance to celebrate their new-found freedom.
They dressed up in fancy and colorful clothes and powdered their faces white to mimic their former masters and show that they could be masters too.

Notting Hill Carnival

In 1964, a Trinidadian steel band was invited to take part in a street festival in Notting Hill, London, giving birth to Europe's greatest street carnival.
The first festival was an immediate success, with the steel band attracting local residents to come out and enjoy themselves.

Evolution of Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival has evolved into a huge multi-cultural arts festival, attended by up to two million people.
It has become the annual high point of London's Afro-Caribbean community and attracts people from all over Britain and other countries.
The carnival has grown in variety, reflecting the multi-colored and cosmopolitan nature of modern London, with participation from groups from around the world.
It features almost fifty static stages with bands playing different types of music, including West Indian, jazz, soul, and other popular varieties.

Description

Learn about the origins of Carnival celebrations in Trinidad and London, from its roots in slavery to its modern-day festivities. Discover how slaves used music and dance to express their freedom after emancipation in 1833.