#Jankunu

[schweizercomics]

Companions of Christmas 13: Pitchy Patchy

Once a highly decorated Akan military commander, the man who would become known as Pitchy Patchy was stolen from his home and enslaved in Jamaica, but he was able to escape to freedom and, operating from the Maroon towns that he helped to defend, would regularly lead raids against the plantations to free others.

Since the folks that he rescued didn’t have access to the kinds of ornate trophies and medals that he’d worn in the past, they would honor him with a simple strip of colored cloth as a sign of their gratitude for his valor. He saved so many people that he was eventually festooned with these cloth strips, to the point that they covered his entire body.

At Christmastime, he would parade boldly through the streets during the festival of Jonkonnu (or Jankunu, or Junkanoo, etc), and he continues to be a part of Jonkonnu parades to this very day.

[palmentogrovebelize]

Keeping tradition alive!! #belizevacation #garifunatraditions #jankunu #habinahawanaragua2019 (at Palmento Grove Garifuna EcoCultural & Fishing Institute - Hopkins Belize) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LMNI-FWAz/?igshid=1w167whntzykv

[mahillart]

Jankunu

58” x 60”

Acrylic on Masonite

2020

Jankunu is a celebration based around African spiritual traditions that are still alive today in the Caribbean. This tradition was how our parents connected with the spirits. Each mask represents a different strength in character.

[imaxar]

México and Belize

Each country has its own way of living. For instance how they communicate with each other, how they express themselves, what they like to eat, as well as other aspects of life. It is important to recall the fact that Mexico is located in North America, and on the other hand, Belize is located in Central America, which means they are near each other, and one of the reasons why they have so much in common. 

First of all, Belize is a country located near Mexico that has a lot of biodiversity and that has “English'' as its first language, while on the other side, Mexico's first language is “Spanish”. Also, in Belize most people are Roman catholic while in Mexico lots of people are catholic. Some other similar things that make Belize different from Mexico is that Belize has a different kind of life, like for example, they have different food like the “Hudut soup”, while in Mexico people drink tequila. People in Mexico are way more different than in Belize, and there are many other things that make these two countries special.

Since music is a very important part of the culture of both Mexico and Belize, people who love it should find much to appreciate there. Even though Mexico and Belize own different types and styles of music, they still share some similarities in rewards to them. While a lot of people in Mexico enjoy Mariachi and Ranchera music, Punta Rock and Marimba are the music styles most commonly played throughout Belize. But one of the main reasons why they have some characteristics in common, is that the music of Belize is partially derived from the ancient Mayans, who are most of the time found in southern Mexico and northern Central America.

Traditions are something important that give identity to all countries. Traditions are really important to Mexico and Belize. Mexico is a country full  of traditions as Belize. Belize has really important traditions, like  for example: Maya Deer Dance, Midnight Mass, Garifuna Jankunu Dance. These are traditions that represent Belize’s culture. Mexico also has its own traditions that are very important too. Our traditions are: Día de Muertos, Independence Day, Las Posadas, Dia de Reyes, La Candelaria. Traditions are really important to both countries. 

In conclusion, like in all cases, Mexico and Belize have their own characteristics. These can sometimes be alike or the opposite, and that is what makes each country special and unique.

[msamba]

John Canoe (Junkanoo/Jonkonnu), Jamaica

John Canoe (also Junkanoo or Jonkonnu) dancing In Port Maria, St Mary, Jamaica (Caribbean). 01:40 Port Maria Town Center 02:26 To Kingston 02:28 To Ocho Rios Junkanoo has other variations in spelling such as ‘Jankunu’, ‘Jonkonnu’ (called John Canoe by the British) is a band of masqueraders (typically referred to as ‘muskorate’ meaning ‘masquerade’) which usually perform in towns and villages at…

[cayoscoop]

Frenemy Coming to Cayo

See on Scoop.it - Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Frenemy, the comedy from Jankunu Productionz which has been performed all over Belize, is heading to Cayo on the 28th.  They'll be performing the comedy at the Sacred Heart auditorium.

  "Frenemy tour continues CAYO & PLACENCIA we're coming!

  If yuh not mi friend, your my enemy... Frenemy"

[injamaica]

Junkanoo Dance In Jamaica (John Canoe) along the Port Maria main road in St Mary Parish. Junkanoo (called John Canoe by the British) is a band of masqueraders which usually perform in towns and villages at Christmas time. It has other variations in spelling such as 'Jonkonnu', ' jankunu' or is typically referred to as ‘muskorate’ (meaning ‘masquerade’). There are still uncertainties regarding the origins of the name 'John Canoe', however some are of the opinion that the name is derived from the French word 'inconnu'. 'Inconnu' means 'unknown' and would point to the essential feature of wearing of masks during the John Canoe proceedings. Jamaican Jonkonnu Dance Festival is very popular in St Mary, Portland, Westmoreland and St Thomas. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 👉 SUBSCRIBE to get updates in Jamaica. https://goo.gl/sDr2yz ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Website: http://bit.ly/2CrIOOr Location on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/NoVxno 2018 Road Trip footage using the GoPro HERO4 Silver Edition. MUSIC: "Bomber (Sting)" by Riot (Reggae). #InJamaica #Jamaica #Junkanoo #JohnCanoe #Jonkonnu by InJamaica

[olanriskynegus]

Jankunu (Jonkonnu) Kingston, Jamaica 

[unadulteratedmiraclesublime]

Jankunu – New Years Day (Dangriga Belize) 2017 rawexclusiveTV rawexclusiveTV Subscribe493

[channingmartinez]

Happy New years... Since I can't go see Wanaragua in person because I don't know where they're dancing, here is a video to enjoy to start my year off the right way

[antilliacultura]

Jankunu, The Ancient Afro Caribbean Art Form

There are many stories about the origin of this ancient art form. Which ever way, Jankunu is an ancient African art that survived slavery and colonialism not because of resistance but because it is beautiful. Hopkins Belize

http://goo.gl/BQJAuj

[ethnobelize-blog]

Wanaragua at Christmastime

[msamba]

Jamaican Jonkunu/Jonkunnu/Jankunu Explained

At Irie Camp Jamaica, we believe that educating our campers about Jamaican culture can lead to appreciation of what we have. Many people fear Jonkunnu performers, and that fear stems from a lack of context and exposure. Before the performers of the Port Maria Jonkunu group gave their performance, Carlton Walters explained the characters. Note: We also had the performers share a meal with the kids…

[cayoscoop]

Belize Rewind Coming to Cayo

Belize Rewind, the play about the history of Belize, is coming to Cayo on Saturday, March 30th.  Jankunu Productions will be performing the musical at the Octavia Waight Centre auditorium.  Tickets are currently on sale at the SISE HoC and the Cayo Welcome Center.

[ethnobelize-blog]

December is Jankunu season in Belize!

Jankunu (also John Canoe, Junkanoo, or Wanaragua in Garifuna) is a type of masquerade dance performed across the Caribbean region. The most common explanation for the costuming and movements of Jankunu is that it’s a mockery of European colonialists/slaveowners; the body movements are jerky and bouncy, mocking the uncoordinated dancing of white Europeans!

The costume worn by a Belizean Jankunu dancer consists of a wire mask painted with a pink/white face, an elaborate headdress, white shirt, black pants, gloves and tennis shoes. The ribbons criss-crossing the dancers’ chests recall British military dress. Traditionally, every bit of skin on a dancer is covered—in this video, you can see that the dancers aren’t strictly adhering to this rule. Across the Caribbean, you’ll see many variations in dress—the mask and headdress are the most consistent elements of a Jankunu costume.

In Belize, Jankunu is performed during the Christmas season in Creole and Garifuna communities; in Garifuna communities, of course, dancing is accompanied by Garifuna drums and singing.

Garifuna drumming for Wanaragua is fascinating. While there is a basic “Jankunu” rhythm for the garaones (Garifuna drums), the rhythms played by the lead drummer (on primero) are dictated by the dancer’s movements. The primero player watches the feet of the Jankunu dancer like a hawk, anticipating every hop, jump, twist and tremble. What he plays on his drum aurally mimics the movements of the dancer.

According to Hopkinites, for many years Wanaragua had all but disappeared in Hopkins, and nearby Dangriga was considered the center of Jankunu in Belize. Within the past several years, however, Jankunu has been revived in Hopkins, and a new generation of Garifuna boys are learning and performing this important art—which you can see in the video. The drummers here—Warren and Ronald—are in their mid-twenties, and the dancers range from 10-14 years old.

I took this video around 9am on Christmas morning. These boys spent all of Christmas day dancing, singing, and drumming their way from one end of the village to the next, with my place being one of their first stops. Traditionally, Wanaragua performers are “paid” for their performances with food and drink; I paid the boys with two bags of homemade Christmas cookies. What a festive—and thoroughly Belizean—way to spend Christmas morning!!