Jonkunnu characters pitchy patchy

The traditional set of jonkonnu characters includes bellywoman, policeman, devil, horsehead, pitchy patchy, cowhead and househead to name a few. In jamaican jonkunnu the main characters include pitchypatchy, actor boy, cow head, horse head and devil. Dancers wear costumes and masks representing characters like pitchy patchy, king, queen, horsehead, cowhead, and belly woman that act out skits and dance. This dance form is a both a masquerade form and myal. The cow head, and the horse head are traditionally two of the most feared characters, charging and chasing jonkunnu spectators. Characters in the johnkonnu masquerade are quite frightening to onlookers. So the biggest problem with aston cookes jonkunnu jamboree is that it is a pantomime. Some scholars believe it has its origins in west african secret societies the performers are always men. But then the play descends into regular pantomimeness. The traditional marching group jonkunoo has not been a prominent. In december we had our jonkonnu, we enjoyed making different costumes such as belly woman, pitchy patchy, the devil, sailors and caribs, and parading and jonkonnu parades making a junkanoo costume is a timeconsuming, tedious process that takes skill and creativity. Red indians are besides characters that were cultivated to take part in the dance. Jamaican of coconut trees, christmas bask in the joy of.

The character belly woman, a pregnant woman is primarily played by a male. To me jonkunnu definitely played a big role in the early forming and shaping of our jamaican. Queen, devil, pitchypatchy, belly woman, cow head, policeman. Fife and drum which immediately set your feet and body dancing. Another strong tradition at the time was jonkunnu, the noisy masquerade parade featuring music and dancers dressed in elaborate costumes that included characters like pitchypatchy and belly woman, along with animals, policemen and, of course, a devil. And, except for a single 19thcentury historical reference to a jonkonnu celebration in suffolk, va, historians have been unable to. Traditional christmas entertainment jonkunnu in jamaica. Pitchy patchys role in the carnival is to keep masqueraders and the surrounding crowd in order by cracking a cattle whip. Mckenzie tailors a traditional masquerade with a modern message. One of the original figures of jamaican carnival, pitchy patchy is usually represented by a suit made of. The more popular characters are quite worthy of further mention as their. Jonkunnu jamboree has all the markings of the jamaican pantomime. Pitchypatchy also did quick steps sideways from foot to foot, which caused his costume of.

In jamaica, john canoe is viewed as a recreational activity and is usually reserved for the christmas period when there emerges a band of diverse masqueraders. The changes continued in the last half of the 20th century, and characters such as the horse head, belly woman, pitchy patchy, the devil, and some fictional ones, were added to the cast of masquerades. Edward longs the history of jamaica or, general survey of the ancient and modern state of the island. Jonkonnu article about jonkonnu by the free dictionary. Pitchy patchy, the cowhead, the horsehead, the devil, other participants the king, the queen, the police, belly woman, french set girls. Pitchypatchy, belly woman, horse head, devil and policeman dance to the music of the drums, rattles, fife and grater in this jonkonnu masquerade. Souldance is a work of literary art that presents a celebration of life so vividly captured even before your begin to turn the pages.

Traditional christmas celebration in jamaica the georgian. Pitchy patchy in particular was a striking sight his costume made up of. Sep 01, 2011 jamaica is credited with the longest running tradition of jonkanoo. The traditional set of jonkonnu characters included the horned cow. Pitchy patchy, belly woman, policeman, horse head, jackin. The jonkonnu customs go as far back as the days of slavery, at that time the bands were very large and elaborate. Other characters included those mocking the military, aristocrats, police, sailors, the devil, horsehead, jackinthegreen, pitchypatchy, belly woman, warrior, red indian or wild indian, kookoo or actor boy, king and queen, and redset and blueset girls. At one time jonkonnu celebrations spread as far as the southern united states. Jamaica gleaner news great family fun day jonkunnu.

Dec 09, 2017 another strong tradition at the time was jonkunnu, the noisy masquerade parade featuring music and dancers dressed in elaborate costumes that included characters like pitchypatchy and belly woman, as well as animals, policemen and always a devil. Other characters that can make up a band are cowhead, actor boy, bushdoctor, amerinidian and the devil. Called jonkonnu, this caribbean christmas celebration blended african and english masquerade and mumming traditions. Aston cookes jonkunnu jamboree, recently staged by the university players under the direction of michael holgate, is an entertaining melee of dance and music.

Some of these characters are pitchy patchy, devil, horsehead, cowhead, actor boy, belly woman, warrior, wild indian, to name a few. John canoe was most prolific during the plantation era where slaves used. While very colourful and entertaining, their antics and mingling with onlookers often had the effect of scaring young children. Well, pitchy patchy is one of the most famous characters. The costumed characters were accompanied by musicians who played wellknown traditional songs on the bamboo fife, bass and rattling drums, shakas and graters. Props included cowheads whip, policemans baton, bellywomans very prominent pregnant belly and devils trident. For the cover, well known jamaican artist viv logan has provided an aweinspiring rendition of life in its most innocent depiction yet. Historical records mention celebrations of jonkonnu taking place near edenton, n. Characters would interact with one another, example the policeman trying to keep order in the band, as well as with their audience. Among the jamaican characters are the horse head, cow head, house jonkunnu, house boat jonkunnu, actor boy, pitchypatchy, jackothe green, bellywoman, whoregirl, policeman, the. Some of these characters are pitchy patchy, devil, horsehead, cowhead, actor boy, belly woman.

Horse head, pitchy patchy, red indians and belly woman dance around with spectators watching the show. Other participants include policeman, bellywoman and wild indian. Jamaican jonkonnu celebrations take place on december 26 see also st. Traditional jonkonnu features costumed characters such as king, queen, devil, pitchypatchy, belly woman, cow head, policeman, horse head, wild apache indian, bride and house head.

Pitchy patchy, belly woman, policeman, horse head, jackinthe green, wild indian, actor boy, set girls and the devil. The jonkonnu festival is secular in nature and its performance at christmas time is. Researchers suggest that they represent the power of horned animals, which embody strength and power in african tradition, where they are often associated with secret rituals, funerals and warriors. Today these mysterious bands with their creative costumes appear more at cultural events such as christmas, emancipation and independence days. Introduction the origin of the word junkanoo is rather. One of the original figures of jamaican carnival, pitchy patchy is usually represented by a suit made of tattered, colorful pieces of cloth. The changes continued in the last half of the 20th century, and characters such as the horse head, belly woman, pitchypatchy, the devil, and some fictional ones, were added to the cast of masquerades. If, around christmas time, you see children of all ages and even some adults running away screaming and frightened from a spectacle in the streets, a good guess would be that they are running away from the scary jonkonnu. Jamaican christmas customs jamaica information service. Masqueraders are normally dressed in costumes such as king and queen, cow head, horse head, devil, pitchy patchy, red indians and belly woman. Jonkonnu characters the traditional set of jonkonnu characters included the horned cow head, policeman, horse head, wild indian, devil, bellywoman, pitchypatchy and sometimes a bride and house head who carried an image of a great house on his head. It is performed mainly at christmas time and a strong feature of the dance is the characters, all males whose movements match their roles. Dec, 20 other characters included those mocking the military, aristocrats, police, sailors, the devil, horsehead, jackinthegreen, pitchy patchy, belly woman, warrior, red indian or wild indian, kookoo or actor boy, king and queen, and redset and blueset girls. One of the many characters of jonkonnu, traditionally seen at christmas time.

Pitchy patchy s role in the carnival is to keep masqueraders and the surrounding crowd in order by cracking a cattle whip. John canoe was most prolific during the plantation era where slaves used jonkonnu as a. The spelling jonkunnu or variations thereof raises many questions, as does. Each day we will highlight a historical fact, food or tradition that are related to the special season. Kingston, jamaica jonkunoo characters pitchy patchy, belly woman and cow head along constant spring road saturday afternoon. Traditional jamaican dances 10 popular jamaican folk dances. Participants frequently take to the streets and with music, mime and dance. The character known as pitchypatchy is covered with strips of colourful cloth, while jackinthe green is similarly attired, but all in green. Jonkonnu called john canoe by the british is a band of masqueraders which. Although clothed as the characters of the past devil, pitchypatchy, king and queen, bellywoman, actor boy and horsehead young men, once disillusioned, deliver robust. A special gleaner feature on pieces of the past a jamaican. Pitchy patchy is a jamaican jankunu festival figure.

Another strong tradition at the time was jonkunnu, the noisy masquerade parade featuring music and dancers dressed in elaborate costumes that included characters like pitchypatchy and belly woman, as well as animals, policemen and always a devil. Jonkunnu is jamaicas 1 st traditional and longest dance form of african descent still being practiced in jamaica up to this day. Pitchypatchy was a pretty sight, a restless character, twirling and leaping and dancing everywhere. Each did their best to scare and terrorise young patrons, many of whom ran for cover. The jankunoo dance poemeater original poetry write. The frightening masks and costumes that they wore always scared the children. Dec 22, 2015 notwithstanding these differences to be recognized across the island, traditional jonkonnu most often includes as core participants, the cow head, the horsehead, the devil, the different categories of warriors and indians, as well as a character known as pitchy patchy. The traditional set of jonkonnu characters included the horned cow hear, thepoliceman, horse head, wild indian, devil, bellywoman, pitchypatchy and sometimes a bride and house head who carried an image of a great house on his head. It was a tradition that had started as far back as the days of slavery, but seemed to be slowly dwindling away. The pitchy patchy costume made entirely of colorful rags represents many familys spirits. Junkanoo or jonkonnu is a street parade with music, dance, and costumes of mixed african origin in many islands across the english speaking caribbean every boxing day 26 december and new years day 1 january, the same as kakamotobi or the fancy dress festival of ghana. The ashanti swordsman became the horned headed man. Jonkunnu jamboree energetic and entertaining pantomime. Jonkonnu characters the traditional set of jonkonnu characters included the horned cow head, policeman, horse head, wild indian, devil, bellywoman, pitchy patchy and sometimes a bride and house head who carried an image of a great house on his head.

The rhythm of the jonkunnu music is quite distinct from other ritual folk music with its fife and rattling drum carried on the shoulders and played with sticks. Next up was a childrens choir, followed by the festivals highlight, the jonkunnu bands, which came from kingston, westmoreland, st. Aug 19, 2018 jonkonnu dance at national arena, jamaica august 1, 2018. Jonkonnu characters typically look like the devil, complete with fork et al, and these masked creatures have been popular in jamaicas culture since the 1960s. The characters included the king and queen, cow head, horse head, pitchy patchy, red indians and belly woman. These characters did not remove their masks in public, nor did they speak or sing. The jonkunnu rhythm is played in 22 or 44 time on the fife, a rattling drum with sticks, bass, and grater. Some of these characters, such as cowhead, clearly reflect african imagery. Christmas breeze, jonkunnu and christmas fruit cake are christmas traditions that are uniquely jamaican and is highlighting one a day in the jamaican christmas blog series. An examination of jonkonuus evolution led to the discovery of several characters. Traditional jamaican dances montego bay cultural centre. Jamaica cultural alliance jonkunno the forgotten christmas. Some of the major characters include pitchypatchy, horse head and belly woman.

I have very fond memories of the excitement created when the first strains reached my ears and the cry of jonkunnu a come. 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. In addition, various characters also had their own types of movement. The carnevale network jonkunnu by hazel d williams. Cow head, horse head, devil, pitchy patchy, red indians and belly woman. Pitchy patchy also did quick steps sideways from foot to foot, which caused his costume of brightly colored rags and tatters to tremble. The dances beginning in birthrate rites can still be seen in the manner of the dance moves. Dec 21, 20 kingston, jamaica jonkunoo characters pitchy patchy, belly woman and cow head along constant spring road saturday afternoon. Jamaica is credited with the longest running tradition of jonkanoo.

Modern jonkunno bands are rarely as large as they were in the 19 th century. Jonkunnu dancejohn canoe a jamaican traditional dance of african origin. Over time, the themes of the costumes, which had strong european elements, evolved to be more afrocentric. Pitchy patchy was a pretty sight, a restless character, twirling and leaping and dancing everywhere. Displayed in effigy are pitchy patchy, horsehead, belly woman, jack in the green, houseboat, and the sailor. Caribbean cultural expression pt 1 oer linkedin slideshare. Notwithstanding these differences to be recognized across the island, traditional jonkonnu most often includes as core participants, the cow head, the horsehead, the devil, the different categories of warriors and indians, as well as a character known as pitchypatchy. The origins of jonkonnu the british called it john canoe are obscure, but according to olive seniors az of jamaican heritage an essential book for your shelves, by the way the name may originate in the ewe language of eastern ghana and togo, with the meaning sorcerer man. For the cover, well known jamaican artist viv logan has provided an aweinspiring rendition of life in its most innocent depiction yet laced serious social, cultural and religious symbolism. Devil made fairly quick vibrating steps, followed by long quick turns, with sharp jabs of his pitch fork. These cultural parades are predominantly showcased in the bahamas. Displayed in effigy are pitchypatchy, horsehead, belly woman, jack in the green, houseboat, and the sailor.

And, except for a single 19thcentury historical reference to a jonkonnu celebration in suffolk, va, historians have. We all adopt roles as set girls and pitchy patchy and belly woman. Jonkonnu john canoe, john kooner, junkanoo at the beginning of the eighteenth century a new christmas custom arose in the british west indies. Junkanoo or jonkonnu is a street parade with music, dance, and costumes of mixed african. Bands of dancers prepare homemade costumes that identify them as specific characters associated with the festival masquerade. Pitchypatchy in particular was a striking sight his costume made up of. These characters combine european and african elements. Jonkunnu john canoe is another of the traditional jamaican dances of african origin. Jonkunnu challenges us to engage our youth their talent and candour stifled by a lack of mentorship. Another character that may reflect an african heritage is pitchypatchy. Traditional jonkonnu features costumed characters such as king. The characters include a mix, some apparently introduced from africa, with others later evolving as a result of european influences.