Shock over woman with ‘blackface’ make up and cotton stuck to her at German carnival

A woman who attended the German Carnival has sparked controversy by appearing at the opening of the celebration apparently wearing ‘blackface’ make-up.

The female was photographed with her face covered in black paint, except for two white circles around her eyes and red lips.

She was also seen with bits of cotton stuck to her outfit as she attended the opening of the traditional carnival season in Dusseldorf on November 11, which marks this year’s 200th anniversary.

During the event, thousands of partygoers took to the streets of Germany’s carnival strongholds in costume to celebrate the start of the carnival season.

The photo comes amid a debate over whether blackface makeup in some dances and plays is historically racist or stems from a “disguise” purpose.

She was also seen with pieces of cotton stuck to her outfit as she attended the opening of Dusseldorf’s traditional carnival season on November 11.

Last month, warnings were issued over photos of people in blackface costumes at traditional English folk events.

The Haxey Hood game and Christian agricultural celebrations have historically both involved attendees using blackface makeup.

But now photographs of the events in the countryside, which are still taking place in the 21st century, have been published on the North Lincolnshire Museum website with content warnings saying they could be ‘offensive or offensive’.

In 2020, the Joint Morris Organizations (JMO), which promotes and regulates groups engaged in activities such as Morris dancing, banned the use of blackface makeup among its members.

The German carnival season is a centuries-old tradition and marks the run-up to the main celebrations leading up to the Christian Lenten season of Lent, which leads to Easter.

Celebrations in the Rhineland traditionally begin on November 11 at 11:11 a.m. and last until Ash Wednesday the following year.