A row over whether revellers who “black up” for Saturday’s bonfire parade in Lewes are racist has taken a twist after the leader of a Zulu dance troupe booked to appear alongside them said the practice was not offensive. But Thandanani Gumede, 32, a Zulu from Durban, South Africa, whose West Yorkshire-based song and dance troop Zulu Tradition will perform in Lewes, said while the issue was sensitive, the costumes and makeup were “not derogatory”. Some members of Lewes Borough Bonfire Society, one of seven groups that stage the parade, have been dressing up in elaborate African-style costumes with blackened faces since before the second world war. Facebook Twitter Pinterest A man in traditional dress holds a flaming torch at Lewes’ bonfire celebrations in 2015. But he said it was more important to petition against racism in schools rather than against the bonfire parade.

Source: The Guardian October 30, 2017 19:36 UTC