Notting Hill Carnival connects South African and Caribbean stories of liberation

Notting Hill Carnival in London brought together stories of liberation from both South Africa and the Caribbean, highlighting shared histories of resistance and cultural celebration. For London-born Sarraounia Samuels, the annual event represents a deep personal connection to freedom and self-expression. Born into a mixed-race family with roots in apartheid-era South Africa and English heritage, Samuels has found a profound sense of belonging through the vibrant traditions of the carnival. The Notting Hill Carnival, held in the Notting Hill district of London, traces its origins to the first Caribbean Carnival in St Pancras Town Hall in 1959. This early event, organized by Claudia Jones, marked a pivotal moment in the history of Black British culture. It emerged amid racial tensions and was followed by the 1966 outdoor Notting Hill Carnival, organized by Rhaune Laslett. Since then, the festival has evolved into a two-day celebration at the end of August, drawing up to two million attendees and contributing over £396 million annually to the local economy. Samuels participates in the carnival by joining one of the floats that parade through the neighborhood, where Caribbean immigrants originally settled upon arriving in London. These floats feature either a sound system or a live band playing Caribbean music, accompanied by women and men in colorful costumes representing different Caribbean nations and cultures. For Samuels, the carnival embodies a powerful act of breaking free from oppression. She describes it as a space where individuals can embrace their true selves and experience joy through creativity and expression. "I don't wear make-up or do my hair on a daily basis," Samuels explains. "I am a swimming teacher and I am always in the water. This hair, make-up, clothing, expression, creativity is in my DNA. This is in my culture. I feel very at home with this." Her participation in the carnival began through her Caribbean friends, many of whom were from Jamaica and Trinidad. A cousin introduced her to the tradition, and through her, she discovered the significance of the event. Preparation for the carnival includes crafting elaborate costumes, a process Samuels recalls from childhood. "As a child we would help to create our costumes. That's part of expression. I try to hang on to that. I love creating," she says. Her mother, Moyra Samuels, was born in Cape Town, where the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar carnival also originated. This event, rooted in the struggles of enslaved people in the colonial Cape, marks the day when they celebrated the New Year, a symbol of resilience against oppression. Moyra Samuels, who has lived in London since 1979, credits the Caribbean community with embracing her and providing a sense of shared struggle. Her first experience of the Notting Hill Carnival was facilitated by her South African aunt, who took her to the event. "When I arrived and went to my first carnival I had never seen such a sense of liberation. This is unlike any other carnival. It is community-based," she recalls. Over the past four decades, Moyra Samuels has remained deeply connected to the neighborhood, noting that living within the carnival area fosters a unique sense of community. Residents often welcome visitors from outside the area, creating a space for social interaction and celebration. Additionally, Moyra has been actively involved in supporting victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, which occurred near her home in 2017. The disaster resulted in 72 deaths and left 70 others injured. During this year’s Notting Hill Carnival, a 72-second moment of silence was observed to honor the lives lost in the Grenfell tragedy. This gesture underscored the ongoing efforts to remember and address the impact of the disaster while continuing to celebrate the spirit of the carnival.