A reflection of Notting Hill Carnival 2024

Feathers float to the riddims blazing from the trucks. Gemstones and jewels adorn the handcrafted costumes of masqueraders from all walks of life. For onlookers, the parade is simply a mesmerising sight to behold. It’s always tough to get over the fact that Notting Hill Carnival is over. We will have to wait until next year to jump in the road again.

In this article, we reflect on the events of Notting Hill Carnival 2024 and share the experiences of three masqueraders.

Alison Hinds summarised what it’s all about in her 2007 song “Togetherness”. In the UK, Carnival began as a way to bring people together and now we fete to maintain tradition. These celebrations of Caribbean culture with a parade surrounded by static sound systems first took place in 1973. Notting Hill Carnival has since become the second biggest carnival in the world (after Rio de Janeiro).

“I go to Carnival every year,” says Shynell. I’ve been going since I was about 10 years old with my family, so it’s just carried on like a family tradition and part of my culture,” she added. The anthem from the Vincentian, Tobagonian, and Trinidadian trio (Skinny Fabulous, Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin) rings true for many of those singing “We feting with we “famalay” at the top of their lungs. 

Carnival goers take to the streets as a yearly rite of passage. “I go to Carnival to remember the significance of my grandparents who used to go — they went as a family unit. I always meet my cousins there and it’s just a joyous time,” says Gemiah. Notting Hill Carnival beautifully creates spaces for the different islands, especially for people wanting to introduce Caribbean culture to their little ones who might be hearing live steel pans for the first time.

At WorlMag, we revel in soca, dancehall, and the rich tapestry of Caribbean life. We have interviewed the likes of Nailah Blackman, Sabrina Francis and Tosh Alexander. There’s no doubt that music is a huge part of Caribbean culture. Music is what drives the movement of the one million-strong crowd at Notting Hill Carnival.

An array of new songs hit the road this year, including TK International’s hit “Whistle While You Work.” “That song got me dancing the most,” Shynell told WorlMag, raising her hand into a chef’s kiss. That [genre] song got waistlines flinging left to right nonstop.

The DJs hanging out of the trucks are conductors of the streets. They can slow a crowd down tocalypso or speed it right up with bouyon. We entrust them with the power to move us physically and emotionally. Like Jenni, you might suddenly get the desire to fill your cup when you hear King Bubba’s song “Who Drinking Rum”.

Liberation is at the heart of Notting Hill Carnival. One masquerader, Jenni, celebrates with a mas band every year. “It’s the two days that set me up for the rest of the year. It’s a reset and an electrifying beginning all in one. It makes me feel free and alive,” she told WorlMag. “Pure joy and good energy in the air charges you up,” she added.

That’s why “Holiday” by Vincentian, and Brooklyn-raised artist Problem Child quickly became a household favourite since its debut last year. There’s something about taking time for yourself—“not doing no work today”—and just getting swept up in the moment. During these bank holiday celebrations, Gemiah says that her anxiety fades away: “On a normal day, large crowds would be really overwhelming, but when it comes to carnival once you have the music, the food, the drinks, the friends and the joyous people around you, you really forget about that,” says Gemiah.

It’s a welcome distraction from bills that need to be paid and anything else that’s bothering you. More than that, the feeling of liberation comes with masquerading and dressing to turn heads. “Carnival is a time where I feel like there’s no expectation of me or what I should look like, what I should be wearing,” says Gemiah. “I feel truly beautiful every year, especially when I do costume,” she added.

Freeing up yourself in this way is a political act. As the late political activist Darcus Howe tells us, “If there weren’t race riots in Notting Hill I don’t believe that we would have had the Notting Hill Carnival. If it wasn’t for the murder of Kelso Cochrane, Carnival wouldn’t have happened.”

In the face of the recent racist riots and scaremongering that Black and South Asian people experienced, we jump up and down at Carnival, holding our heads high. When we dance we unapologetically say that we are here. We are still here and we’re not going anywhere; either follow the float or—to use the words of Fimba—mind your funky business.

People pour in from all over the world to soak up the festivities. Residents often get involved from their balconies. Shynell and Gemiah recalled the moment when the MC from the Island Mas truck interacted with an elderly lady watching the celebrations from her window.

The Island Mas band waved at the resident, blowing whistles, cheering and bouncing as a collective. “The joy and smile on her face. It just spread happiness across everyone’s faces,” said Gemiah. “It reminded me of how significant carnival is, and the positive impact it can make on people around us, especially those who aren’t typically a part of Caribbean culture,” she added.

Shynell noticed a lot of visitors from abroad. “Many people stopped to ask for pictures in our costumes, you could tell they had an accent. That’s the power of learning a second or even third language, you’ll be able to experience other cultures across the world as these people do,” she said.

Of course, everything wasn’t perfect this year. The bands set off later on Sunday and a number of bands finished earlier on both days. “I’m used to through the years doing at least two laps and finishing at 7/8 pm,” said Jenni. One thing’s for sure, Caribbean people don’t like feeling rushed.

There was noticeably more staff and an increased police presence. “I noticed that the staffing/stewards were quite young, so I felt for them. Carnival is not an easy place to work,” said Shynell. Changes in the route also seemed to create bottlenecks and overcrowding that some masqueraders deemed dangerous.

As organisers prepare for next year, we hope that some of these issues will be addressed so everyone can enjoy the Notting Hill Carnival experience. In the meantime, ​​Hackney Carnival 2024 is just around the corner. It takes place on Sunday 22 September 2024 from 12pm to 7pm and includes a family-focused parade throughout the borough.

If you’re looking for places to hear more soca, dancehall and other genres from the islands, here’s a list of events where you can either whine your waist among friends or indulge in good food.

Article by: Kaeshelle Rianne