A woman attending the German carnival has caused controversy by appearing at the opening of the celebrations seemingly dressed in ‘blackface’ make up.
The female was snapped with her face covered in black paint, expect for two white circles painted around her eyes and red lips.
She was also seen with pieces of cotton stuck to her outfit as she attended the opening of the traditional Dusseldorf Carnival season on November 11 – which marks the 200th anniversary this year.
The event saw thousands of revellers in costumes took to the streets of Germany’s Carnival strongholds to celebrate the start of carnival season.
The picture comes amid a debate over whether blackface make-up in some dances and plays are historically racial or derive from a purpose of ‘disguise’.
The female was pictured with her face covered in black paint, expect for two white circles painted around her eyes
She was also seen with pieces of cotton stuck to her outfit as she attended the opening of the traditional Dusseldorf Carnival season on November 11
Last month, trigger warnings were issued for photographs of people in blackface costumes at traditional English folk events.
The game of Haxey Hood and Christian agricultural celebrations both historically involved attendees using blackface make-up.
But now photos of the rural events, which are still happening in the 21st century, have been issued with content warnings on the North Lincolnshire Museum website as they might cause ‘offence or hurt’.
In 2020, the Joint Morris Organisations (JMO), which promotes and regulates groups engaging in activities like Morris dancing, banned the use of blackface make-up among its members.
Germany’s Carnival season is ancient tradition and marks the build-up to the main celebrations ahead of the Christian fasting season of Lent that leads up to Easter.
The celebrations in the Rhineland traditionally begin on November 11 at 11:11 in the morning and last until Ash Wednesday the following year.
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