Jamaica Villas - Notting Hill Carnival in Photographs

J'our Ouvert celebration Notting Hill 2011



"O lawd! I not comb mi hair, I look a real mess!"



There is a cracking website that has a load of photographs from London's Notting Hill Carnival. The Guardian Newspapers own website has some amazing photographs of the first day. I like this one of a couple of people all mucked up with paint. Why? (Why wot?) Why do they cover themselves in gunk? Well, let me tell you.

J'our Ouvert comes from the French "Jour Ouvert" which means dawn or daybreak, the start of the day if you like or in the case of the Notting Hill Carnival, the start of the first day. As for the paint, theory says that this stems back to the civil disturbances in Port of Spain, Trinidad when the breatheren smeared themselves in oil or paint or anything else that was available, in order not to be recognised.

"Mi a tek two o dese tings, please sah!"

Judging by the state of most of the partygoers, they seem to be having a great time. The young chap pictured above seems to have everything sorted. Take a look at the Guardians Pages and you'll get a feel for the carnival.

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Email lisa@jamaicantreasures.com
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