The History of Carnival

RENS invites you to join them at The Other Place to watch ‘The History of Carnival’ An online talk for Black History Month in collaboration with Archives+ at Manchester Central Library, given by Linford Sweeney.

The history of the Caribbean Carnival is a complex one. It is more than a celebration of colourful costumes, music, and dance.

Historically, it is an interesting mix of eighteenth-century European masquerade events, Christian practices, African traditions, and freedom from slavery. Also, in the Caribbean, it is a yearlong celebration; and now takes place around the world.

We can be easily distracted by the costumes, music, and dance, but these celebrations have great historical and cultural significance.