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ENTITY · CULTURAL PRACTICE

Jonkonnu

Well supported

The masked street masquerade of the Jamaican Christmas: costumed characters — Horsehead, Pitchy-Patchy, the Devil among them — processing behind fife and drum, in a tradition documented since the plantation era that blends African masquerade with European mumming. Parish troupes and Festival stagings keep it alive.

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At a glance

Confidence
Well supported
Sources
Jamaican folklore scholarship; Institute of Jamaica documentation.

Coverage areas

Dance, body & movement

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Connections

In stories

Story · Well supportedThe stage that kept the folk forms

How Jamaica built companies and schools to hold Kumina, Jonkonnu - and eventually dancehall.

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Compiled and researched by The Jamaica Music Atlas music desk. The sources that informed it are credited above.

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