Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Two dancers in the group 'Children of the Drums' performing for some 400 Japanese cruise tourists who spent the better part of Monday experiencing the island's culture, food and music at the Wexford Hotel, Gloustershire, Montego Bay. - photo by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

More than 400 Japanese tourists were treated to the pulsating rhythm of the drums thumped by Montego Bay's Children of the Drums, who enriched the ballroom of the Wexford Hotel, Gloustershire Avenue, on Monday afternoon.

After the tourists' three months of cruising, with 27 stops worldwide, it was Jamaica's call to showcase its rich and colourful culture, blended authentically with the island's art and craft, traditional food and religion.

Transportation package

Organised by Wexford's chairman, Carlyle Allen, small and medium-sized contract carriage operators docked their 15, 25 and 50-seater buses at the Montego Freeport Cruise Ship Terminal from as early as 6 a.m. After touring the historic Belfield Great House, the renowned St James and Falmouth Anglican churches, St James Preparatory and Falmouth All-age schools, the docile visitors' final stop was the newly refurbished and fabulous-looking Wexford hotel on the tourism capital's Hip Strip.

Arriving to the sounds of a bona fide Mento band, the visitors' tastebuds were satiated with the flavour of Jamaican jerked pork and chicken and escoveitched fish, while their eardrums became attuned to the African-based celebration that charged the ballroom.

Colourful outfits

Garbed in colourful outfits, the Children of the Drum presented a Jonkoonoo dance while a 'Bongo Man' took the visitors into the heart of the jungles of West Africa.

A Caribbean fiesta showcased the energy and spirit of the region's people, each segment having two sets of 30 minutes each.

The energetic and talented young Jamaicans showcased Jamaica's culture in a fun and youthful way, using gyrations of the hips and acrobatic stunts while decoding sacred traditional messages as they spoke the entertaining language of dance and drums.

Their performance signified the ingredients of a cake baked superbly by the Wexford team, the icing and decorations magnificently presented by a cultural group from the inner-city Flankers community and dancercise classes that culminated a day filled with activities.

"I met the Japanese group at the World Travel Market in London, England, two years ago and this is the result," said the enthusiastic Allen, who opened up his facility to peanut and sky juice vendors and craft merchants.

Not only did he share his blessings with his partners in the tourist industry, but Allen said he plans to donate some of the proceeds to schools and churches.

"Even the Peace and Justice Centre at Flankers will benefit from today's efforts," Allen declared.

The next stop for the Japanese will be Mexico and the United States before they return to their homeland.

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com.