Jonkunnu a Come!!
By Meechi
It’s Christmas, a time when a majority of people attend church services, open gifts and spend time with their families. However, on one small island in the Caribbean, whose Christmas is quite warm and exotic, the holiday celebration, goes a little like this:
People crowding the streets, bands playing, food grilling and children shouting, “Run! Run! Jonkunnu a Come!”
Jonkunnu (John Canuu) is a traditional dance of African origin that has
existed in Jamaica for over 300 years. The name Jonkunnu is in honor of
a well achieved black merchant John Conny, who resided in Axim along the
Guinea Coast. The festival itself began as a day when enslaved men,
women and children were given the freedom to gather and express
themselves through song and dance while acting out scenes from
theatrical English plays. Today it has evolved into a parade filled with
animated characters that move with the ebb and flow of ritual music
played with a rife and rattling drum.
Meet the Characters
The expressive and often wild characters are dominantly male-filled roles who nonetheless display their characters attributes with subtlety.
SET
GIRLS- (RED SET / BLUE SET)
Wear full skirts with puffed sleeves, large hats, and jewelry. Their attire speaks to the influence of the Plutocracy in promoting European finery. The name Set is derived from the term Quadrille or Square Dancing.
POLICEMAN
Representing legal authority; his costume consists of a uniform of black, red and white along with a red band and cloth that hang from his head down to his neck.
BELLY WOMAN
Probably the most amusing character, she is pregnant, shouts antics, and moves her belly to the rhythm of the music.
WILD INDIAN
Walks with a tall cane and crossbow, he dons an intricate headdress of colorful feathers. His presence is symbolic of homage to the lost Indian population in many Caribbean countries.
DEVIL
Dressed in all black; he is a reminder to society to resist negative influences. He carries a trident and wears a cowbell attached to his rear-end.
HORSEHEAD
Believed by many to represent the overseer of the plantation, he appears mounted on a horse while carrying a whip.
COWHEAD
He charges into spectators to keep them in line. A notion of power surrounded by tales of African ancestors whose traditions of horned figures symbolized the strength, power and superiority of important society members.
HOUSE JONKUNNU
The house was a replica of the architecture of the Great Houses founded in the Pre-Emancipation Era. This character is also known as Jawbone Jonkunnu, which refers to an instrument accompanying him that consisted of the dried lower jawbone of a horse.
In the past, he wore a frightful mask and carried a house filled with puppets. The nature of the house bears witness to the origins of Jonkunnu.
PITCHY PATCHY
Notably the most well known character, Pitchy Patchy charges in and out of the crowd yelling and growling. His costume consists of brightly colored shredded cloth covering his entire body. It is the same as was used by the Maroons during times of warfare.
ACTOR BOY/ KOO-KOO
Stylishly adorned in silk, satin and lace frills, Actor Boy walks gallantly along while swaying his whip. His character places an emphasis upon music, dance, pantomime and the history of Jamaica theatre. He is also associated with death and resurrection.
This sounds like a party not to be missed!!! Live music, great food, people dancing in the streets and the celebration of culture that extends well beyond anyone alive today!!
If you'd like to learn more a bout this festive holiday event, then check out the following:
Jamaican Cultural Development Commision- www.jcdc.org
Search: Jamaican National Library
There's a brand new world of culture and history that awaits you,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!