John Canoe, Jonkanoo, Joncanu, Johnkannu,

Jonkonnu, Jonkunu, Johnkankus,

Junkanoo, Junkanu; the same thing, the sameness in event, depending on where you are and how you feel.

“Jonkanoo or John Canoe”, is a traditional Christmas celebration in which revelers parade through the streets dressed in colorful masquerade.

It was the major celebration for the slaves.This kind of parade and festivities was developed in Jamaica by the African slaves .

Later Jonkanoo became more elaborate with European influences and miming of them.

Traditionally, the characters are played by men wearing white mesh masks. The Jonkanoo characters include the horned Cow Head, Policeman, Horse Head, Jack in the Green,

Wild Indian, Devil, Belly-Woman, Pitchy-Patchy, Sailor and sometimes a Bride and House Head, which was an image of a great house carried by the reveler on his head.

Similar to the Jamaican Jonkonnu, the African American Johnkankus, the Bahamian Junkanoo, and the Garifuna Joncunu in Belize all have roots in West Africa and the Slaves.

Jamaica is credited with the longest running tradition of Jonkanoo.Today these mysterious bands with their creative costumes appear more at cultural events such as Christmas, Emancipation and Independence Days.

The Pitchy Patchy costume made entirely of colorful rags represents many family‟s spirits. The Boat or Canoe means the crossing from Africa to the unknown lands.

Some other symbolisms with the singing and dancing are the „fancy man‟ wearing formal clothing and the French Set Girls in colorful Pink and Blue dress-costumes who are the Gentry.

Joncunu became a Christmas dance because historically this was the season in which slave families were together and had the opportunity to make fun of the Europeans.

As early as 1824 celebrations of Jonkonnu is recorded to have taken place in North Carolina and possibly some other southern states of the United States of America.

The African American Jonkonnu, (pronounced John Canoe) has its roots traced back to Jamaica and those slave ships from West Africa.

Homabey 1996Luo Horns and Drums

Yes that was Etanna

& Photographer Haldar Savery

JunkanuThank you for your participation

& have fun creating your ownJonkanoo