A Jamaican Christmas

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 16, 2020 | www.jamaica- gleaner.com | I island was a colony of England. During that period, plantation work would cease from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day, every year, and planta- tion owners would give each of the slaves the annual gift of a piece of cloth and meat. For slaves, who usu- ally had only the entrails and other leftover scraps of the animal, the treat of meat was a delight, but what trig- gered even more merriment was the rare gift of wine the slaves received. The plantations then had all-night dances that included masqueraders and plenty of drumming. JONKONNU Jonkonnu, a fusion of Africanmasked dances and British folk plays, used to be prime street-side entertainment in Jamaica at Christmas. In colonial days, these bands would move from house to house, enjoying gifts of food and drinks or coins from the wealthy. One of the earliest descriptions of the masked dancers appeared in Edward Long’s History of Jamaica (1774). Long supposed that the Jonkonnu dance was named after a West African mer- chant known as ‘John Canoe’ or ‘John Conny’, from Axim, West Guinea: “In the towns, during the Christmas holidays, they have several robust fel- lows dressed up in grotesque habits” followed with a numerous crowd of drunken women, who refresh (them) frequently whilst he dances at every door, bellowing out John Conny’ This dance is probably an honourable me- morial to John Conny”. Jonkonnu bands play drums, rat- tles, fifes and even bottles and grat- ers. Traditional Jonkonnu features costumed characters such as King, Queen, Devil, Pitchy-Patchy, Belly Woman, Cow Head, Policeman, Horse Head, Wild Apache Indian, Bride and House Head. It is from these all-night dances that one of Jamaica’s most endur- ing Christmas traditions emerged – Jonkunnu. GRAN’ MARKET Gran’ Market is held in all major towns and cities across Jamaica, on Christmas Eve, and continues into the early hours of Christmas Day. As the name suggests, it is a ‘grand’ affair which brings buyers and sellers together for last-minute shopping. This festive event involves vendors selling their wares on crowded streets that are closed to vehicular traffic but open to impromptu dancing, as there is usually music to which people can dance as they shop. CHURCH SERVICES Across denominations, communion services, candlelight ceremonies, con- certs, all-night prayer meetings and the singing of Christmas carols are all expressions of reverence and acts of worship during the festive season. Roman Catholic and Anglican churches have Midnight Masses on Christmas Eve, while other Christian denominations have services on Christmas Day. TREE LIGHTING In capital towns across Jamaica, municipal corporations organise Christmas tree lighting events. This tradition involves the official ‘switch- ing-on’ of giant trees or tree-shaped structures in town squares that have been beautifully decorated. This is sometimes accompanied by firework displays, the singing of carols, de- livery of Christmas messages from Local Government officials, and the distribution of gifts. SALES - PARTS - REPAIRS Allan’s Pastry Shop Ltd. Great Taste Sensations! Merry Christmas 3447 Kennedy Rd., Unit 3,Scarborough, ON M1V 3S1 (416) 292-3909 3056 Don Mills Rd., Peanut Plaza, Willowdale, ON M2J 3C1 (416) 494-5438 The Port Maria John Canoes, led by Clifford ‘Calypso Jack’ Walters (front right). FILE JAMAICAN CONTINUED FROM 2 I4 CHRIS TMAS FEATURE THE WEEKLY GL ANER | D CEMBER 10 - JANUARY 9, 2020 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | CHRIST MAS FEATURE THE WEEKLY GLEANER | D CEMB 10, 2020 - JANUARY 9, 20 1 | w w .jamaica-gleaner.com | CHRISTM AS FEATURE