Roots & Rise: The Early Years of Butetown Carnival (1967–1989)

Butetown Carnival wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was forged in the streets – through resistance, rhythm, and community pride.

In 1967, Cardiff’s Butetown district hosted the Butetown Mardi Gras, a small Caribbean-themed celebration. Though modest in size, it marked the spark of a vibrant tradition. The area – famously known as Tiger Bay – was already a multicultural melting pot, home to seafarers and families from over 50 nations.

By the 1970s, Butetown youth were proudly taking part in the city’s Lord Mayor’s Parade with vibrant Caribbean-inspired floats. But after facing racist taunts and exclusion, local leaders took action. They responded with resilience: “If they won’t welcome us into their parade, we’ll create our own.”

1977 saw the birth of the first official Butetown Carnival – a street celebration of music, identity, and togetherness. Keith Murrell, now the creative director, remembers it as a powerful act of community defiance: “Our response to exclusion was to create the most inclusive cultural event in Wales.”

The Carnival Grows

Throughout the 1980s, the Carnival grew in popularity. By the mid-decade, it was attracting 25,000 visitors a day. Acts like Aswad, Bo Diddley, and Musical Youth took the stage, while local food vendors lined the streets with homemade dishes from Somali, Caribbean, and Welsh kitchens.

It wasn’t just a party – it was a platform. Young artists, dancers, and musicians found a space to shine. The parade route became sacred: from Loudoun Square to Canal Park, echoing Butetown’s heartbeat.

“It was the highlight of our summers growing up. Every year, rain or shine, we were out on the streets celebrating us.” – Local resident

Looking Ahead

This was just the beginning. But as the 1990s approached, the Carnival would face its toughest battles yet…

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