Where is Jonkonnu originated?

Jamaica
Jonkonnu, (pronounced John Canoe) is an African American holiday celebration whose roots can be traced back to Jamaica and to the slave ships from West Africa. Historical records mention celebrations of Jonkonnu taking place near Edenton, N.C., as early as 1824.

What Jonkonnu means?

Jonkonnu, a fusion of African masked 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.

What is the purpose of Jonkonnu?

The ‘Jonkonnu’ Festival is secular in nature and its performance at Christmas time is merely historical. It was conceived as a festive opportunity afforded the slave class by the planter class, as Christmas was one of the few periods when the slaves were relieved of their duties.

Who created Junkanoo?

Many believe it was established by John Canoe, a legendary West African Prince, who outwitted the English and became a local hero. The most popular belief, however, is that it evolved from the days of slavery. Loyalists who migrated to The Bahamas in the late 18th Century brought their African slaves with them.

How is Jonkonnu performed?

Revelers participating in Jonkonnu would dress in masks and multi-colored costumes, form a parade line, and travel from house-to-house clapping, singing, and dancing, During the festivities the performers could put aside their daily toils and enjoy themselves in the celebration.

Which time of the year is Jonkonnu celebrated?

Jonkonnu is a band of masquerades usually performed in towns and villages at Christmas time. The characters included the King and Queen, Cow Head, Horse Head, Pitchy Patchy, red Indians and Belly Woman.

What celebration was Jonkonnu first used in?

Jonkonnu is one of the oldest dance forms in Jamaica which was performed on the three holidays allowed to the enslaved Africans in the English-speaking Caribbean – Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

What is Junior Junkanoo?

The Junior Junkanoo Program is an outlet for the extraordinary vitality of Bahamian students and therefore stands out as a means of affirming and enhancing the cultural identity of Bahamians and that the parade itself not only provides exciting entertainment but also serves as a vehicle of cultural interaction between …

What kind of dance is Jonkonnu in Jamaica?

Jonkonnu is one of the oldest dance forms in Jamaica which was performed on the three holidays allowed to the enslaved Africans in the English-speaking Caribbean – Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Also referred to as “ John Canoe” by the British, the dance steps had European and English elements mixed with African traditions.

Where was Jonkonnu celebrated in the 19th century?

Many of the colonies Jonkonnu was prominent, Bahamas, Jamaica, (as Jankunu), Virginia celebrated Jonkonnu. Historian Stephen Nissenbaum described the festival as it was performed in 19th-century North Carolina: Essentially, it involved a band of black men—generally young—who dressed themselves in ornate and often bizarre costumes.

Where did the Junkanoo dance festival come from?

Dances are choreographed to the beat of goatskin drums and cowbells . The festival may have originated several centuries ago, when enslaved descendants of Africans on plantations in The Bahamas celebrated holidays granted around Christmas time with dance, music, and costumes.

Who are the characters in the band Jonkonnu?

Jonkonnu is a band of masquerades usually performed in towns and villages at Christmas time. The characters included the King and Queen, Cow Head, Horse Head, Pitchy Patchy, red Indians and Belly Woman.

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