By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter 
Before: Walk Holy, Walk Holy ... A mixture of lively and solemn songs fill the night air until daybreak. The lovely harmony of voices take on a poignant quality as they reverberate over the hills and plains.
After: In between bigging up 'di man dem pon di endz' and giving words of encouragement to the young misses who are scantily attired, the selector usually obliges and mentions the name of the deceased.
This is the evolution of the 'nine night' in the corporate area. Nine nights these days are a far cry from what took place in the days of old.
While the 'Real McCoy' version of the practice continues in rural areas, the original ritual is on the verge of extinction in the capital city.
Travel to St Mary for example, where the real 'set up' takes place, and there will be singing, dancing, ring games and stories intended to provide support and cheer for the relatives of the deceased.
However at nine nights in Kingston the 'Ghost of Nine Night Past' and the 'Ghost of Nine Night Present' battle for supremacy. While the singers are inside the yard, voices raised in solemn song, sound system speakers blare hardcore dancehall music, the relevance of which is questionable.
A 55-year-old woman, who wished to remain anonymous, attested that in these modern day nine nights have strayed from their roots.
"Well, nine night nowadays is not what it used to be in the earlier years. Back then it was regarded as a more religious affair where friends and family gathered to pray for the soul of the departed," she said.
"These days it's more about heavy music and merriment, it is now treated more as a get- together than a serious religious affair," she continued.
