We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

Analysis: Jonkonnu

essay
The whole doc is available only for registered users
  • Pages: 2
  • Word count: 366
  • Category: Dance

A limited time offer! Get a custom sample essay written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed

Order Now

Jonkonnu is more than just a celebration; it is a dance and a musical tradition as well. However, Jonkonnu dance traditions make it the island’s oldest style on record. It blends authentically Jamaican styles to become the dance performed at today’s celebrations. Typically, African groups would enact mime-style plays, while European traditions of folk theater played short scenes and recitations. Specific dances are ascribed to the dancers, each with their own role and character to portray. ·Pitchy Patchy dances with small, quick steps and turns cartwheels. He moves in large, circular patterns. ·Cow Head moves in bucking motions and is usually bent low to the ground.

·Devil alternates small, bouncy steps with much longer ones and makes quick turns and jabs with his pitchfork. ·Belly Woman, sometimes considered to be a negative image of mulatto women, made movements with her belly in time to the music. Set Girls are in costume groups divided between blue and red, usually played by mulatto women, often mistresses. However, this tradition is no longer carried out. Similarly, the character of Babu developed in East Indian communities.

“Red Indians” are also characters that were cultivated to participate in the dance, and, though they may represent the TaĂ­nos, they could have more to do with the mix with other cultures. The dance’s source in fertility rites can still be seen in the style of the dance moves, including one where the dancers suddenly stop with their hips forward. Other hip-based dance moves are important to the celebrations as well. Further, while it’s been associated with Christmas festivities, Jonkonnu is not a religious dance. Pukkumina

Pukkumina dances are based in the rituals of Myalism, but they are part of the Revival tradition. Pukkumina is a distinct Revivalist group and not the same as Zion. Most notable for its possession rituals, this group is also famous for its dances. The rituals themselves differ from place to place, but they all use music and improvised melodies and harmonies to help induce possession. These three-day festivals include many different aspects, but dancers who surround the leader move in a manner similar to Turkish whirling dervishes, suggesting East Indian influences as well.

Related Topics

We can write a custom essay

According to Your Specific Requirements

Order an essay
icon
300+
Materials Daily
icon
100,000+ Subjects
2000+ Topics
icon
Free Plagiarism
Checker
icon
All Materials
are Cataloged Well

Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. If you need this or any other sample, we can send it to you via email.

By clicking "SEND", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.
Sorry, but only registered users have full access

How about getting this access
immediately?

Your Answer Is Very Helpful For Us
Thank You A Lot!

logo

Emma Taylor

online

Hi there!
Would you like to get such a paper?
How about getting a customized one?

Can't find What you were Looking for?

Get access to our huge, continuously updated knowledge base

The next update will be in:
14 : 59 : 59