Cultural Blender By: Simone Golding
Jamaica’s multicultural society is a thriving, vibrantly diverse ethnic
community, which is vivid in the islands motto “Out of many, One People".
The
small multicultural society comprises of citizens of varied creeds, races and
religious beliefs; and though the nation of Jamaica is primarily from African
descent, the Chinese, Indian and other ethnic minorities are fully incorporated
in the fabric of the islands society.
The motto speaks volumes of the island's cultural identity, and the celebration of diversity is richly embedded in the island’s culture.
The
motto indicates that as a people, we are tolerant and accepting of people’s
races, ethnicities and different social backgrounds. These different multi-
cultural influences are melded into society, and gradually varied socio-cultural
influences are filtered into the Jamaican populace, serving to alter long
standing heritage and culture.
The
massive global impact that Jamaican culture has on the world is evident, and
whilst some are indicative of appreciation such as the strong dancehall scene
in Japan, others are appropriated such as faux dreadlock wigs/ Rasta Halloween
costumes.
Jamaica however, is also susceptible of committing cultural appropriation. This is seen in the emergence of Halloween parties being minutely promoted in Jamaica years ago, to some now indoctrinating Halloween as a traditional event.
Traditionally celebrated in North America and Western Europe,
Halloween is symbolically associated with the celebration of death, occultism
and the supernatural. It falls on the eve of All Saints Day, which is
celebrated by the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. The Celts originated
the celebration on October 31st, a day ordained to the roaming spirits of those
who died in the preceding year. The Celts sought to ward off these spirits with
offerings of food and drink. Aspects of this tradition include sacrificial bonfires, and performed human and
animal sacrifice, which were done to appease their gods.
Halloween was later fantasized, and the holiday made acceptable in
the United States of America, and gradually superstitions about the day were
diluted. It became generally regarded as a children's holiday. However, in
postmodern society, Halloween celebrations have become increasingly popular
among adults with several parades and festivities taking place. This popularity
is due to the concept of dressing up in costumes for Halloween. It is this aspect
of festivity that has caught on in Jamaica, initially in resort areas, with
several clubs and hotels staging Halloween parties.
The Jamaican society arguably
gravitate to foreign influence, so the concept of a Halloween celebration
naturally appeal to youths, especially entertainment connoisseurs who visualize
the potential economic gains of marketing a Halloween event themed around the
newly adopted tradition. The concept has grown from a primary hotel and
nightclub tourist attraction based in Negril, to the latest successful staging
of Skyy Vodka's "Dark Skyy Halloween Party", held at J.Wray and
Nephew Corporate Office, Dominica Drive, New Kingston on Friday night October
31, 2014.
Jamaica is no stranger to the occult , as the Africa cultural practice of Voodoo and Obeah, though openly acknowledged, still has negative connotations associated with the beliefs, traditions and practices. The idea of dressing up in masquerade is not foreign to Jamaica, and earlier versions of this type of revelry is seen in the tradition of Jonkonnu.
Jonkonnu
(called John Canoe by the British) refers to masquerade bands that perform in
towns and villages at Christmas time. The Jonkonnu costumes originated in
the days of slavery, and at that time the bands were large and elaborate.
Characters
in the Johnkonnu Masquerade incite fear to onlookers, especially young
children. Masquerade costumes included King and Queen, Cow Head, Horse Head,
Devil, Pitchy Patchy, Red Indians and ‘Belly Woman’. Occasionally a mock
policeman (masquerader) is incorporated. This practice dates back to when
parades, including Jonkonnu, were outlawed. The policeman, whilst trying to
enforce the law, was often overtaken by the drum rhythm, and joined in the
merriment.
The
Jonkonnu band was accompanied by musicians who would play tunes of well-known
traditional songs on the fife accompanied by bass and rattling drums, shakers
and graters.
Jonkonnu
became associated with Christmas as it is believed that this was the only major
holiday of the slaves. However, Jonkonnu also appeared at Easter, called “pickney
Christmas” by the slaves. The popularity of the Johnkonnu tradition
increased when slave masters began to encourage the festivities in their
estate. During this period, European and English elements were mixed with
African tradition and influenced Jonkonnu dance steps.
To
date, with the advent of other popular dances and traditions, Jonkonnu has
gradually lost its popularity and the Jonkonnu of today is a shadow of the
original.
Jamaica
has always been deemed a moral country and religious expression is largely conventional. The local collective distaste for
dancehall artist Tommy Lee Sparta’s music which glorifies the occult and
contains satanic lyrics, is testimony to the level of cynicism regarding
occultism. The local community as well as dancehall veterans have openly expressed
their contempt for his single dubbed “Daddy Devil” as the artist is considered
to be inciting the consistent glorification of satanism and demonism, which
affects dancehall and the wider populace.
It
is apparent however, that whilst the cultural tradition of Jonkunno
masquerades, which is a part of Jamaica’s heritage, has lost momentum, the
adoption of celebrating the foreign tradition of Halloween is emerging. And
though artistes Tommy Lee Sparta Jones and Alkaline have been openly criticised
for their defiantly secular lyrics, the celebration of Halloween, which is
stemmed from occult origins, is endorsed by some citizens and corporations in
the Jamaica society.
Introspectively,
it is understandable that globalisation plays a key role in the eradication of
culture and heritage. Multicultural influences will consistently shape the
traditions and culture of Jamaica, however, the fundamental issue arises when the country gravitates to
foreign traditions, sometimes without knowing the historical or cultural background.
Sources:
Anderson K. (2014) Skyy's the Limit: Halloween Edition. The Gleaner. Retrieved from mobile.jamaica-gleaner.
Omealy-Nelson B, Understanding the Jamaican Cultural Environment. Retrieved from education.fiu.edu