JOuvert celebrations at Notting Hill carnival in pictures | Culture
JOuvert marks the start of the carnival in west London, with revellers coming out early in the morning to dance, drink and cover each other in oil, paint and powder David Levene Sun 27 Aug 2023 12.55EDT Last modified on Mon 28 Aug 2023 18.05EDT
J’Ouvert celebrations at Notting Hill carnival – in pictures
J’Ouvert marks the start of the carnival in west London, with revellers coming out early in the morning to dance, drink and cover each other in oil, paint and powder
Men and boys enact the Caribbean tradition of ‘jab’, a satirical representation of the oppressions of slavery, wearing chains and snakes Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
As part of the jab tradition, participants cover themselves in oil, wear horns and chains and have meat or fish in their mouths Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Revellers arrive on the streets of Notting Hill as early as 6am to get into the spirit of the carnival Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Jab’s origins lie in Trinidad (Jab Molassie) and Grenada (Jab Jab). The word jab is derived from ‘diable’, French for ‘devil’. Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
At Caribbean carnivals, participants would spread oil over themselves, but in London the oil is generally replaced by black or coloured paint Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
J’Ouvert is a tradition that represents freedom from slavery for West Indian communities around the world Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
