J'Ouvert Canboulay

Daybreak on the first day of Notting Hill Carnival 2025.

I have never been awake this early on the August Bank Holiday weekend before but I wanted to find out more about the opening ceremony.

Notable for the throwing of paint. Mainly powder paint as you can see in my picture. Also black body paint in respect of enslaved people who disguised their bodies with cane ash.

Here's a gallery of pictures.

I started asking around my West Indian neighbours. Why 'Canboulay?'
Here is the story