Christmas Traditions In JA

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

Since this is my last commentary for the year, I extend wishes to all my readers for a merry Christmas and the best in the coming year.

These holidays always bring back fond memories of my childhood growing up in Jamaica. Like most families, we tried to get together for at least one day- preferably Christmas day itself- during this period. Relative emigrants would always be in the mix because they would use this opportunity not only to come home and visit their family and friends but also to escape for a brief respite from the frigid cold of the northern climes in their domiciles.

On Christmas Eve, the family would go together to a church service starting at about 11pm. This was a common practice in nearly all the churches and denominations in Jamaica. On Christmas morning it was back to church at 5 or 6am for early service, at the end of which, the congregation would greet each other with kisses or handshakes. Back home, everybody was issued a jug or mug of warm eggnog and served a meal of fruits, ackee and saltfish, slices of ham, roast breadfruit and hard dough bread. As kids, the eggnog was a special treat, mainly because in addition to egg and milk, another main ingredient was brandy or rum. This was the only time when it was 'legal' for us to have an alcoholic beverage, and we would savour it.

After this meal, the family gathered around the Christmas tree in the living room and shared gifts, which were opened to screams of excitement, as many wishes came true. Soon, we would hear the strains if the Jonkunnu or masquerade bands coming down the street. These were men and women in various costumes, marching and dancing up and down with musicians in tow. Drums and fifes were central instruments to these combos.

This roving band would go in and around the town and different districts, with adults and children coming out to greet them with food or coins to show appreciation. After this there would be a natural separation of adults and children- the men would retire to a discreet corner, to exchange stories and have drinks and the women would begin preparing lunch, while we the kids would be enjoying the new gifts that we had received and playing games like Brown Girl In The Ring or Red Light. Soon it would be time for lunch, a menu consisting of rice and peas, roast chicken, turkey, pork and beef, bammy, macaroni and cheese and an assortment of vegetables. The rest of the afternoon was usually spent singing Christmas carols and the performance of short skits by the children.

Usually, this season is chockfull of activities, yet nowadays they take on somewhat of a different format and purpose. The traditional Christmas market can be found in most villages and towns across Jamaica. This culminates in Grand Market night, which is usually organised by church and community groups. In those days, Jamaica had a vibrant cottage industry. Women were encouraged to develop skills like embroidery and crochet. They would work all year from their homes and at their leisure to create doilies, shawls, caps, handkerchiefs, while the men, would reap fresh produce from their fields. All of these were sold at the Grand Market.

There is now a successful prototype that epitomizes the modern, urban version of the Grand Market. It has evolved out of a tradition started in the 1970's by Things Jamaican, then a government entity under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. For the last 8 years, the rebranded Kumba Mi Yabba is the annual Christmas Fair hosted by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, which provides promotional and marketing opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Micro and Small Business Sector. The fair gives an opportunity for local producers to showcase their indigenous products to a wide cross section of markets which include tourists, diplomats, policy makers, local and international buyers and members of the general public. JBDC has taken on the role of main sponsor and organiser of the fair and with its evolution they have diversified from being purely a craft fair. The fair which runs this weekend, now incorporates such categories as, fashion, gifts, crafts and accessories for home and garden.

Although some of the larger stage shows that we have become accustomed to in the last decade, unfortunately are not being held this year, there are still a number of events that people can look forward to. The four day long Christmas weekend will feature Renaissance's All White Christmas Eve Party, Bembe Christmas Edition, Beres Hammond's A Moment in Time and of course, there is Sting on Boxing day. To ring in 2009, there is Absinthe and French Connection followed by Frenchmen and the Genesis Gospel concert on New Year's Day. Shaggy and Friends perform for charity on January 3rd.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com

Host: Jamaica Observer, Sunday, December 21, 2008 - Christmas Traditions in JA by Charles H.E. Campbell