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

David Levene

@levenephoto Main image: J’Ouvert at the Notting Hill carnival. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Sun 27 Aug 2023 12.55 EDT Last modified on Mon 28 Aug 2023 18.05 EDT

J’Ouvert comes from the French ‘jour ouvert’ meaning the ‘opening of the day’ Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Men and boys enact the Caribbean tradition of ‘jab’, a satirical representation of the oppressions of slavery, wearing chains and snakes Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Revellers pour black paint over themselves Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Colourful paints and powders replace the mud and oil of Caribbean tradition Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Paint-covered revellers converge around the northern edge of the carnival area to dance Share on Facebook Share 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 Facebook Share on Twitter
Revellers arrive on the streets of Notting Hill as early as 6am to get into the spirit of the carnival Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Revellers get messy with powder and paint Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
The annual festival has taken place in London since 1966 Share on Facebook Share 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 Facebook Share on Twitter
Revellers pose in Star Wars costumes Share on Facebook Share 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 Facebook Share on Twitter
J’Ouvert is a tradition that represents freedom from slavery for West Indian communities around the world Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Colourful powder is thrown during traditional parade on Family Day Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
A police vehicle is spattered in paint.
Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
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Revellers come out early in the morning from 6am onwards.
Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
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A local resident secures his front gate before the start.
Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
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Topics

Notting Hill carnival

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