'Run! Run! Jonkunnu a come.' seems to be the cry of these children. One of Jamaica's folk traditions, Jonkunnu may be making a comeback this Christmas thanks to the efforts of the JCDC. - Contributed 'RUN! RUN! Jonkunnu a come!' That yell has robbed many a child of any chance of seeing a Jonkunnu parade when, after all, every child in 'those times' knew that 'Jonkunnu wi tek yuh weh'. It soon seemed however, that the thing that had filled so many with fear had died.
Jonkunnu bands were nowhere to be seen.
Several of Kingston's children will be exposed to the joys of Jonkunnu this Christmas, however. The bands have been slowly making their way out of the woodwork and the cow horns, 'haas 'ead' and, most of all, 'Pitchy Patchy' have been showing themselves around Kingston.
Andrew Brodber of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) points out that Jonkunnu never really died. He noted that though the parades had been absent from the streets of Kingston for sometime small bands still existed, usually in the rural areas.
According to Brodber, the JCDC is currently attempting to foster a Jonkunnu renaissance. Last year the commission began a Jonkunnu parade and youth costume competition. Both return this year. Last year, they were a part of the Jonkunnu and Mento Festival. This year, the name has changed to the Jonkunnu Food Festival and will take place at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road, St. Andrew, on December 15.
The schools will compete for the best costumes representing the different Jonkunnu characters such as 'Policeman', 'Wild Indian', 'Red Set Girls', 'Jack in the Green' and, of course, 'Pitchy Patchy'. Seven schools entered the costume competition last year. This year the competition will feature schools with at least 50 entries, revealed Brodber.
Brodber pointed out that the festival is currently at the baby stage of what they envision. He noted that with proper support, Jonkunnu has previously bloomed and hopes that the commission's support will help it to do so once more. He pointed out, however, that its acceptance cannot be forced. All the JCDC can do, he said, is make it more available to the public.
The Jonkunnu bands have been receiving more attention recently. Much, but not all, of this has come through the JCDC. Last Christmas the Institute of Jamaica featured a miniature Jonkunnu parade as a part of its Christmas fair. Although throngs of people did not stop to see the parade quite a few did and some even followed the parade for part of its route.
The group, which was from St. Catherine, engaged in traffic-stopping antics, drawing motorists into their parade. This year, the Institute of Jamaica incorporated another bit of Jonkunnu into the re-opening of its Junior Centre, said Carmen Wade Barrett, the institute's publicist.
When Hollywell in upper St. Andrew was re-opened in March of this year, Jonkunnu was also incorporated into those celebrations. The band served to delight numerous children and adults. A few of the children found themselves too frightened for comfort, while others romped with the band. They chased after and mocked the band members then screamed and ran when the members turned on them. They seemed to have quite grasped the idea behind the chant to 'Run! Jonkunnu a come'. Interestingly, none of them had been told about this traditional cry.
Jonkunnu is also making its way to the theatre. The Tivoli Dance Troupe incorporated the form in their annual concert this year with the dance 'Pitchy Patchy'. The dance also earned a lot of recognition at the JCDC festival competition.
What these events have all declared is that Jamaicans are still interested in what was once one of our most significant cultural expressions.
Jonkunnu has existed in Jamaica for over 300 years. It is simply another of the many aspects of Jamaica which speaks to the creole nature of our society. The parade took place at Christmas for very logical reasons - it was the only time (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day) that slaves got any sort of freedom to cavort and express themselves (a freedom which they often wisely also used to rebel).
Some persons, like Mr. Brodber, will also argue that with growing globalisation, unique Jamaican things such as Jonkunnu are invaluable.
"When other people have asked us to swallow their culture, we will have something to ask them to swallow in return," he said.
Even more importantly, Jonkunnu gives Jamaicans something Jamaican to swallow, along with all the sorrel and Christmas cake.
