Avia Ustanny, Freelance WriterDURING SLAVERY the sound of African drumming went on all night until morning dawned on Christmas. So began the celebration of three days of freedom for people enslaved. When the three-day holiday ended, their servitude would again begin.
Along with drumming, dancing was high on the agenda. The transplanted Africans formed large circles in the village square with men, women, boys and girls holding hands, singing shouting and swaying. At times, a couple would suddenly break the circle and leap into the centre, dancing to the incessant beating of the drum and the shaking of rattles made from calabash. Couple after couple would break the circle and dance until they dropped from exhaustion.
Christmas market was then the destination for all. The slaves carried cabbages and other products in large straw baskets, making their way to the central destination where they would meet hundreds of others from other estates. Yabbas, straw mats and ropes were items sold or exchanged. Market would usually last for about half a day until the fife and drums and antics of Jonkonnu began.
SAUCY SET GIRLS
Besides the popular Jonkonnu, another source of Christmas day entertainment was the Saucy Set Girls. The red set represented England and the Blue set represented Scotland. It originated in Admiral Town, Kingston and included a competition to see who was better dressed. Each had a queen or madam who would be chosen as the best dressed of the lot.
The custom spread to other parts of Jamaica and the general populace as women bought hundreds of yards of muslin, lace, ribbon and parasols to look like the queen of the Set Girls. Some women were said to receive jewellery on loan from their owners to make their costumes even more replendent and some ensembles are noted to have cost as much as 60 pounds sterling. In Falmouth, the blues and reds carried whips with ribbons of the appropriate colour tied to the tips.
There are records of women who bought their freedom with money collected on the parade as they went from house to house on set marching days.
Many of the Set Girls were domestic servants and their owners wagered heavily on who would be more impressive. The spirit of competition was high and slave owners went to great extremes to ensure that their girls would win.
Next in the Christmas entertainment were Zoo Zoo or actor boys who followed the Set Girls and were like court jesters, drawing laughter and ribald comments. Christmas day ended with a feast on each estate.
GRAND MARKET'S DAY
By 1898, new hats and shoes were status symbols for the emancipated slaves and these were worn first at Christmas. In 1898, Grand Market in Kingston was held on Monday December 26. Everyone met in
'gay profusion'.
According to historical documents from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC): "Dainty hats and resplendent silks, satins and lace. Nearly all of Kingston and his wife was there.
At J.M Crosswell's in Kingston -- owner Dr. Magnus was asked by one reporter what he planned to do with his enormous stock of hams and smoked tonges. He assured him that they should be all gone by the following week. In good times or bad -- everyone ate well at Christmas."
THERE WERE OUTINGS TOO
People travelled on the tram car from one end of town to the other. By 1900, thousands would make their way to the Kingston Race Course to walk around and enjoy mingling with the holiday crowd. Boys let off squibs and blew
fee-fees and horns. People waved at their friends with handkerchiefs in their hands -- it was the style.
The tram cars which were drawn by mules only the year before were, by 1901, powered by electricity. The trams drove all night and were crowded with people who travelled just for the pleasure of the ride.
GOD AND MAMMON
Church bells woke people at 4:00 on Christmas morning for 5:00 o'clock service. Churches were decorated with foliage wound around the pillars with gold and cream flowers attached. On the streets, groups of carollers from the Salvation Army went from place to place singing. There was no radio to providethe music. The carolling was most welcome.
Some churches were famous for their Christmas day offerings. At Scots Kirk on Duke Street in downtown Kingston, a fine musical programme was held and the proceeds went to help the poor. Many churches gave Christmas handouts to the poor and at the brilliantly lit and decorated Holy Trinity Cathedral, North Street, Kingston, hundreds gathered to participate in an impressive service that included the playing of the orchestra.
It is reported that the bars and brothels were also festooned.
