Posted on 12/15/2020
Every activity is made more significant with the sharing of gifts, the traditional Christmas pudding or cake, ham, sorrel, rum punch and eggnog, among other treats. Many Jamaicans cannot celebrate the season without adding Christmas lights to brighten freshly painted houses, whitewashed fences and trimmed hedges.
HERE ARE THE 6 MOST COMMON TRADITIONS OF JAMAICA
Christmas Cleaning
Jamaicans LOVE to show off their best (we are, after all, a proud “boassy” nation of people) and Christmas is the best time to show off your absolute best! Homes are repainted, the house is cleaned from top to bottom and the best home decor (that are reserved only for special occasions) are pulled out of the cupboards. Growing up in Jamaica as a kid this was always a two-sided blade. On one hand I was always excited to know that Christmas was arriving but on the other hand it meant helping my family clean the house (I mean, which kid loves to clean?). Even the streets are given a facelift as the government white washes the street curbs and prune the trees.
Jonkanoo
Originating from Jamaica’s rich African heritage is the tradition of Jonkanoo. “What’s that?” you might ask. Well Jonkanoo is a street parade which showcases characters dressed in exaggeratedly dirty and scary costumes. As they parade the streets children (and even some adults) run to find shelter from these often times antagonizing characters. The main character culprits would most certainly be the Belly Woman, The Horse Head, The Devil and Pitchy Patchy.
Grand Market
As the name suggests, this is a GRAND event for Jamaicans. On Christmas Eve, vendors set up shop in the town’s main square and display all their best goods, clothes, food and Christmas candy treats which are all for sale. Jamaicans come out in scores to participate in this bountiful display to indulge in the festivities and enjoy the Christmas vibe. Did I mention that Jamaicans are also one of the most fashionable set of people you’d ever meet? Everyone dresses up (or as Jamaicans would say “Dress to pussfoot”) in their best Christmas outfits. It’s certainly a spectacle to behold. Although the tradition is becoming less popular you’ll certainly still find these events around town.
Christmas Mass
Once the clock strikes 12 am on Christmas day Jamaicans head to church for their yearly Christmas mass. If you didn’t already know, Jamaica has the most churches per square mile in the world which is indicative of its very Christian roots. It’s therefore no shocker that most attend church to bring in Christmas day with good praise and worship.
Christmas Dinner
What’s Christmas without good food and family? Needless to say, a Jamaican Christmas Day is heavily centred around a Christmas dinner party (often held in the early afternoon). Jamaicans gather around a bounty of uniquely Jamaican food, such as sorrel, fruit cake, ham and pigeon pea rice all to celebrate the birth of Christ and the unity of family.
Jamaican Pantomime
This tradition stems from Jamaica’s British colonial past. Pantomime is originally a British form of theatre (typically for kids) which is known for its music and comedy. Jamaicans, however, have given this form of entertainment its own Jamaican flare/flavour. Each year on the day after Christmas (Boxing Day) the Jamaican theatre opens its door to the Jamaican public to present its yearly Pantomime. The shows are riddled with music and jokes based in Jamaican dialect (patois) and culture. Although it was once held at the famous Ward theatre in Downtown Kingston, it is now held at the Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Road. Dapper Dan The Anansi Man 2017