Jonkunnu figures were a regular feature of Christmas in years gone by,
were part of the Independence Day float parade on Half-Way Tree Road on August
6.
'JAB JAB'. That's the
sound of your worst nightmare, if you happen to have been born in times when
Jonkunnu reigned supreme at Christmas.
When these masked characters take to the streets, children of all ages and even some adults, run away screaming and frightened from the spectacle.
Fifty years ago, around Christmas time, the streets be filled with scary Jonkunnu.
Children ran and screamed because characters like the Devil might jab at them with his fork. Up to the 1960s masked Jonkunnu was quite popular in Jamaica.
Today the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission is trying to bring it back.
Traditions
Jonkunnu (also spelled John Canoe, John Konno, Johnny Canoe, Jonkunnu, jonkanoo and John Canou) is an example of creolisation, a mixture of African retention's and European masquerade traditions.
Jonkunnu melds tradition of masquerade from Africa with those of European masquerade and British mumming plays. In times past, Shakespearean monologues were often included in the street presentation, researchers note.
The costumes are also reflective of European influences, incorporating the attire of kings and queens among the characters.
The traditional set of Jonkunnu characters included the horned Cow Head, Policeman, Horse Head, Wild Indian, Devil, Belly-woman, Pitchy-Patchy and sometimes a Bride and House Head who carried an image of a great house on his head. Yet, all were bright, elaborate and colourful.
Mirrors and tinsel generally added shine to costumes. Pitchy-Patchy's costume featured strips of brightly coloured cloth.
Each character had a special role and sometimes a special dance to perform. For example, Bellywoman's often a man dressed up as a pregnant lady. Characters often interacted with one another, and the music of the drums and fife caused many an onlooker to dance along with the band. Adults that is. For those who were younger, Jonkunnu was worse than the monster in the closet.
