THE WEEKLY GLEANER
DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2013 • 15
christmasfeature Rebecca Tortello
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS often run away screaming, frightened by the more elaborate costumes. Occasionally, some of the individual characters like the Devil, might jab at them with his fork, escalating the fear factor. Up to the 1960s masked Jonkonnu bands could be seen around the island. Jonkonnu (also spelled John Canoe, John Konno, Johnny Canoe, Jonkunnu and John Canou) is an example of creolization in action, or, what Rex Nettleford calls the blending of the rhythmn of Africa with the melody of Europe. However it began, Jonkonnu melded the tradition of masquerade from Africa with those of European masquerade and British mumming plays. Excerpts from Shakespearean monologues were often included. The costumes also reflected European influences incorporating the attire of kings and queens amongst the characters.
Gleaner Writer
Christmas A Come
T
ODAY CHRISTMAS in Jamaica, as in many countries around the world, has become commercialised. Carols are heard from the end of November, decorations appear from the first of December in stores and homes, and Santa can be visited in many different stores. In decades past Christmas time included a number of different types of celebrations marked by distinctive sights, sounds and smells. There was the tradition of the “Grand Market”, the much-heralded arrival of Santa Claus in the downtown shopping district and the dramatic performances of the Jonkonnu bands. All three still exist but to significantly lesser degrees and none are greeted with the awe and expectation of days gone by.
The Grand Market GRAND MARKET IN DOWNTOWN KINGSTON GRAND MARKET (or Gran’ Market) is a community fair characterised by food, street dancing, crafts and music. In the past, the weekend before Christmas and particularly on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, markets all over the island were awash with vendors selling small toys, firecrackers, balloons and sweets of all kinds – pinda (an African word for peanut) cakes, grater cakes and peppermint sticks. Oranges and even American
JONKONNU CHARACTERS
apples were distinctive features of the Grand Markets. Sorrel, chocolate tea and coffee flowed, as did the Christmas carols and a merry banter between vendors and customers. On Christmas Day some markets were decorated with streamers, large accordion-style bells, and balloons. Many were decked out in fancy clothes, including bright hats purchased upon entering the Grand Market. Everyone came to town for Grand Market and the celebrations lasted throughout the day and well into the night.
Jonkonnu JONKONNU MASQUERADE THE CRY “Jonkonnu a come!’ meant excitement was near. As soon as the sound of the bands could be heard, people poured out of their houses lining the streets to watch the dancing masqueraders in their larger-than-life costumes. Children of all ages, and even some adults, would
The traditional set of Jonkonnu characters included the horned Cow Head, Policeman, Horse Head, Wild Indian, Devil, Belly-woman, Pitchy-Patchy and sometimes a Bride and House Head who carried an image of a great house on his head. Yet all were bright, elaborate and colourful. Mirrors and tinsel generally added shine to costumes. Pitchy-patchy in particular was a striking sight – his costume made up of strips of brightly coloured cloth. Each character had a special role and sometimes a special dance to perform. For example, Bellywoman’s – often a man dressed up as a pregnant lady – always created
Jonkunnu has re-emerged as the Jamaican face of Christmas
JN Greetings Across the World, a “I’M SENDING greetings to my mum and For some it’s the number or must-do dad in Hanover - Happy Christmas and item on any Christmas list, and for a Prosperous New Year!” many it’s the only reason to indulge “This is John from London and I in shopping. want to send greetings to all the Twenty-five years ago, Jamaica people in Jamaica who know me National Building Society (JNBS) Merry Christmas and Happy New seized upon the idea of putting Year!” customers in touch with their relaChances are you have received or tives home via technology even as Royes even sent one of these greetings yourself. they sent their remittances, and the proThe words might differ but the sentiments are gramme - Greetings Across the World - was the same - I am well, and I am thinking of you. born. Infused with the warmth of a family or commuClarence Royes, producer of the programme nity-themed Jamaican Christmas, sending a says work started on the first set in September message or getting a care package home for the 1988 in the United Kingdom. holidays has become one of the all too familiar “We really went to the UK doing this for JN. traditions for Jamaicans in the Diaspora. This was a period in which people were looking
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christmasfeature
JAMAICA-STYLE laughter when by exaggerating the belly in time with the music. Characters often interacted with one another and the music of the drums and fife caused many an onlooker to dance along with the band. Although Jamaica is credited with the longest running tradition of Jonkonnu, today these mysterious bands with their gigantic costumes appear more as entertainment at cultural events than at random along our streets. Despite attempts to revive these customs so much is being lost. Today the cost of putting together a Jonkonnu band is also prohibitive and sponsors are not easy to come by.
fortable lap. Santa stayed in Times Store for almost three weeks. Of course, today, Times Store is no more. – Source: www.geocities.com/shandycan /culture_notes.html http://luna.cas.usf.edu/~alaing/jfolk.html#jonk Judith Bettleheim, “Jonkonnu Masquerade” http://www.talawa.com/maskarade.htm - Edward Long, History of Jamaica (London, 1774). Peter Marsden: An Account of the Island of Jamaica (1788), Cynric R. Williams’ A Tour through the Island of Jamaica (London, 1826)”
Santa Visits Downtown SANTA ARRIVES IN JAMAICA ON PANAM AIRLINES LIKE TODAY, the stores and streets downtown were heavily decorated and a Christmas tree could be found in the area now known as St. William Grant Park. Thousands awaited Santa’s arrival on balconies and along crowded sidewalks. The Santa Claus Parade was a muchanticipated event. Streets were closed to traffic to clear the way for Santa’s sleigh ride down King Street onto Harbour Street and Times Store, his final destination. Vendors lined the streets with boxes full of lollipops and biscuits. Marching bands, troops of boy scouts and girl guides, people holding effigies of Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante, and floats carrying various beauty queens preceded Old Saint Nick. The “Jolly Man in Red” was ceremoniously greeted at the door of Times Store by its owners and the Mayor of Kingston. One by one the hundreds of children waiting in long lines to tell Santa their Christmas wishes, made their way onto his com- Santa Clause arriving at the Palisadoes airport. Santa comes to town and is welcomed by Miss Jamaica (Laurel Williams), KSAC Commissioner Eustace Bird (centre) and Herman Spoerri of Times Store.
time bound Christmas tradition to see how they could invest outside of Jamaica. JN was one of those companies and the institution was at the time in the process of establishing a representative office in the UK,” Royes informed. A year later the programme was streamlined and started to run from the December 15 up to Christmas day and this went on till 1991. Royes says the show started initially with 15 programmes, but today close to a 100 programmes are aired. For Royes, who studied in the UK, it was an opportunity for Jamaicans at home to see and relate to their friends and relatives abroad. Beyond the need to ease a longing or to meet a specila need back home, he said the curiosity that it created added to its popularity.
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“The programme spread across the world because Jamaicans at home wanted (also) to see how their relatives and friends in other parts of the Diaspora were getting by,” he said. In fact he says the programme’s greatest achievement, is the opportunity it gives Jamaicans at home to share in and for that brief period connect with the lives of friends and relatives abroad. But there is more to the programme than a seeming small time to send a hello - it is also a window into life in Jamaica. Here visitors may learn about traditions surrounding the celebration of Christmas in Jamaica and the strange, but real ties that bind families and individuals to home though so many miles apart.
DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2013 • 17
christmasfeature Tangy Honey Glazed Ham
That Christmas Dinner!
Ingredients • 1 (10 pound) fully-cooked, bone-in ham • 1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar • 1/3 cup pineapple juice • 1/3 cup honey • 1/3 large orange, juiced and zested • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
JAMAICAN HOLIDAY CUISINE: Dining in Jamaica over the holidays is a festive experience filled with delectable delights. A traditional dinner is likely to include the following specialties: • Baked ham, roast beef, chicken, oxtail or curried goat, accompanied by a sweet yam called yampi and Gungo (pigeon) rice and peas; • Jamaican fruitcake, made with fruits that are soaked for months in rum or port, with a final dousing at the Christmas table; • Sorrel wine, created from the red fruit of the sorrel plant fermented to a sweetened, red-coloured drink spiced with ginger, cloves and pimento, and laced with white rum.
Method 1. Preheat oven to 325° F (165°C). Place ham in a roasting pan. 2. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside. 3. Bake ham in preheated oven uncovered for 2 hours. Remove ham from oven, and brush with glaze. Bake for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, brushing ham with glaze every 10 minutes.
– Source: The Jamaica Tourist Board
Pot roast beef Ingredients • 6 pounds beef round • 1/4 cup White Cane Vinegar • 4 cups water • 1/2 cup red wine • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon black pepper • 3 tablespoons All Purpose Seasoning • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 3 medium onion, chopped • 3 stalks scallion, crushed • 2 sprigs thyme • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil • 4 cups hot water • 6 medium Irish potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges • 2 large carrots, diced • 3 small tomatoes, cut into wedges • 1 cup stock • 1 teaspoon scotch bonnet pepper, chopped
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Method 1. To Prepare Pot Roast: Clean beef with a mixture of Vinegar and water, pat dry and set aside. 2. Combine red wine, salt, black pepper, all purpose seasoning, garlic, onion, scallion and thyme in a blender and mix until smooth. 3. Pour blended seasonings over beef. Make incisions in the beef so the seasonings can penetrate the meat. Cover and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight. 4. Heat Dutch Pot and add Vegetable Oil. Gently add seasoned beef and brown on both sides. 5. Add hot water, a little at a time, and leave to cook for about 2 hours over low flame. 6. Add potato wedges, diced carrots and tomato wedges. 7. Add 1 cup stock and the scotch bonnet pepper. Leave to simmer for a further 10 minutes.
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christmasfeature Eat hearty Christmas cake Ingredients • 6 ounces or 1.5 cup flour • 8 ounces margarine or butter • 8 ounces sugar • 4 eggs • 1 pound raisins • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 4 ounces mixed peel • 4 ounces cherries • 1/2 pound prunes (chopped) • 1 cup wine/brandy • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon vanilla • Finely grated rind of 1 lime/lemon • 2 tablespoons browning METHOD 1. Cream butter, sugar and browning until soft and fluffy. 2. Sieve all dry ingredients together 3. Beat eggs, wine/brandy together. 4. Add egg mixture to creamed butter and sugar. 5. Add fruits. 6. Add flour and fold in. Do no over-beat when mixing. 7. Bake at 350F for 1 1/2 hours. 8. Yield: 9’ round cake.
Jamaican Roasted Chicken with Honey Ingredients • 3 lbs chicken • Salt to taste (watch your sodium intake) • 4 tablespoon soya sauce • 2 teaspoons thyme (chopped) • 1 medium size onion (grated) • 1 tablespoon grated ginger • 1 scotch bonnet pepper (chopped) • 1 peg garlic (crushed) Method Cut chicken into medium size pieces. Wash with vinegar and drain. Put chicken in a bowl and add, salt, soya sauce, ginger, pepper, onion, garlic, and thyme. Use hands to rub the seasons in the chicken. Cover and allow to marinate for four hours (or overnight in the fridge)
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Ingredients for sauce • 2 cups pineapple fruit drink • 1/4 cup honey • 1/2 cup mustard • 1 cup tomato ketchup • Place seasoned chicken on baking sheet, put in the oven and bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Make sauce Put a small pot on fire, add pineapple fruit drink, honey, mustard and ketchup and stir. All sauce to simmer and thicken. Remove chicken from the oven and spoon over some of the sauce on them. Return chicken to oven and continues to bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and spoon over the remaining sauce on chicken.
DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2013 • 19
christmasfeature Really Great Eggnog
Sorrel Ingredients • 2 lbs sorrel • 2-4 oz ginger, 2 cinnamon sticks • 2 quarts water • Sugar to taste • White rum (optional) A three-inch strip dried orange peel 1 tsp pimento grains or cloves
Ingredients • 4 cups milk • 5 whole cloves • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 12 egg yolks • 1 1/2 cups sugar • 2 1/2 cups light rum • 4 cups light cream • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Method: 1. Wash sorrel thoroughly, using the fingers to lift it from the water. 2. Put into stainless steel container. 3. Scrape and wash ginger. Grate and add to the sorrel. Add pimento grains. 4. Boil water and pour over sorrel. 5. Allow to stand 4-6 hours, then strain. 6. Sweeten to taste and add rum to taste. 7. Add optional wine. 8. Serve with ice cubes.
Method Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
To all our friends and customers
Ha p p y
C h r i s t ma s!
, s a tasty little e r e h d n a ( something to go with your cocktails this holiday)
Delicious, bite-sized cocktail patties from Port Royal. Small but perfectly formed! Available exclusively from Port Royal. for details call 0208 451 6166
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christmasfeature
COMMUNITY STALWART STEPS UP TO BE QUEEN’S REPRESENTATIVE By Poppy Brady
C
OMMUNITY STALWART Beverly Lindsay has been appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands, becoming the first African Caribbean woman to take up the role. She joins a distinguished group of Deputy Lieutenants in the region, whose duty it is to represent the Queen under the leadership of Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands Paul Sabapathy, CBE. Jamaican-born Lindsay, who has run her own independent travel agency Diamond Travel in Birmingham for the past 27 years, said she was both ‘humbled and honoured’ by the appointment. “This gives me an opportunity to extend the boundaries in serving the community, who have supported me in all my endeavours over the years,” said Lindsay, who chairs the Association of
Jamaican Nationals (Birmingham) UK, and recently picked up a community award at the Birmingham Hidden Creative Economy (HiCrEc) Showcase. “I regard myself as a ‘key’ to open doors so that people from similar backgrounds, who have had to work very hard and overcome many obstacles, can enter more freely and gain the acknowledgement and rewards their efforts deserve. “I will serve the Office of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenancy diligently and to the very best of my ability and in so doing, inspire and pave the way for our younger generation to fulfil their dreams and aspirations.” Lindsay is no stranger to pioneering roles. In 2012 she made history at the Rotary Club of Birmingham by becoming its first black female president in a landmark year for both Birmingham and Jamaica. When Birmingham provided the Jamaican Track and Field team with
their pre-Olympic training camp before London 2012, Lindsay organised a cultural extravaganza and salute to the athletes at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on the eve of the Olympics.
DRIVING FORCE
Beverly Lindsay, newly appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands.
She was also a driving force behind Birmingham’s five-day Jamaica in the Square event which culminated in the city’s first civic flag-raising ceremony on August 6th to celebrate Jamaica’s 50th year of independence. The carnival-style event was attended by more than 10,000 people. In 2011, her services to business and the community in Birmingham were recognised by an OBE and she also has an Order of Distinction for her outstanding service to Jamaica. Paul Sabapathy, who was appointed Lord-Lieutenant in 2007, said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ to appoint Ms Lindsay to his distinguished group of Deputy Lieutenants, who include Bishop
Dr Derek Webley, the District Bishop for the New Testament Church of God. He said: “Beverly is a role model to us all, particularly to the African Caribbean community in demonstrating how you can succeed in business as an immigrant through ability and hard work. “She combines her business success with being actively involved in civic life, supporting people who are less fortunate. “As the first non white LordLieutenant I am keen for the Lieutenancy to better engage with the dynamic African Caribbean community. “In particular Beverly will be assisting the Lieutenancy in identifying and encouraging the excellent work done by individuals and organisations serving the African Caribbean community to be celebrated and recognised by national honours like the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.”
REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS
- J’cans in the UK share experiences, long for home
By Deon P Green Gleaner Writer
LONDON, England: AS THE yuletide season gets into high gear and the temperature plummets in the UK, The Weekly Gleaner went down memory lane with some of its readers - some shar- Cecil ing stories of longing Edwards and others retelling treasured Christmas memories of old Jamaica.
CECIL EDWARDS
SYLVIA HARVEY Sylvia Harvey, now living in Oxford, came to England in 1965 at age 13. “I can remember Christmas in Jamaica when granny got the house ready, new sheets, new curtains it was like spring cleaning there. Christmas morning we (children) were off to church; there were lots of firecrackers and when we came back from church there were lots of food and Sylvia Harvey drink.” “My first Christmas here was so quiet, it was very cold and no children were playing on the streets. I said, ‘Good grief, the streets empty!’ but over the years I got use to it.” She added that Christmas time in Jamaica is more open where everyone is out in the community rather than in England where it’s more a family affair.
In Manchester Cecil Edwards who migrated from Jamaica in 1979 at age 13 remembers Christmas in Jamaica as overwhelming with fun; ‘It was Grand Market night, dressing up, wearing your Sunday best and partying. I was very young and had to stick with my bigger brothers as we look MARLON BARCLAY forward to getting money and parcels from our In north London Marlon Barclay who has been parents who were in England,” What of similarities between the season in Jamaica and in England over 12 years said Christmas in England is more a commercial exercise than the England? Edwards said, “There is no comparison, it is real meaning of Christmas. He said he remembers festivities starting in Jamaica as early as more stress than fun as it is all about December 1. buying gifts for everyone and send“During the yuletide season in ing Christmas cards rather than Jamaica we look forward to enjoying and looking after friends and family, yourself. Grand market over Christmas in England is here is expensive shoptoo commercial with a lot ping; I do not buy presents of interest on buying for children over 10. Here expensive toys and it’s just a family get gadgets. Jamaica has a together. In Jamaica it’s wider range of parties with more fun and spiritual.” lots more fun, probably He adds that his first because most people know Christmas in England was each other. You go to a party in a shock as it was all about England and most of the people in opening presents from under Marlon it, you do not know them. It is differa Christmas tree with very little Barclay ent here because it is often so cold and Christmas carols and staying in the people just stay in small circles. I remember house.
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going to three or four people yard on Christmas day for food and get together,” he reminisced.
RICHARD WILLIAMSON In Telford, Richard Williamson who came to England 15 years ago when he was aged 21, also remembers Christmas in Jamaica as fun-filled. “When I came here the first Christmas I told my aunty that I was going on the road to see what was happening and she told me nothing is happening as it is not like in Jamaica. Christmas here is different, because of my culture Christmas is boring here (England) and right now I wish I was in Jamaica, too much stress here it Janet drags you down.” Sterling “To me Grand Market was the thing; going on the road and seeing old friends that you have not seen for years and then you can party until in the morning throughout Christmas; but Christmas here is more about family getting together but in Gwendolyn Kinghorn Jamaica it is the community getting together celebrating the birth of Christ with much carolling, nativity plays at school and real fun,” he said.
GWENDOLYN KINGHORN South London resident Gwendolyn Kinghorn, arrived in Britain in the early 1960’s, and says
there are major differences in how the season is celebrated in both areas. “Christmas in Jamaica in the early 60’s was good in some ways especially with Jonkunnu and much excitement for some people. For many children it was just another day as people did not have it as Richard they do now. In Williamson the 60s I was fortunate as most people were struggling financially but my father would kill a goat and we all eat drink and celebrate.” ‘My Christmas in England was horrible and it was so for many of us who came here then. Winter, cold, dark, miserable, it was more fun in Jamaica as we didn’t stay in doors. There was lots of snow, more than we have today and you could not tell day from night many times. Now Christmas is different it’s not so gloomy. People can go out - it was bad in the 60’s but now you can take out your children to see Father Christmas and all that,” she said.
JANET STERLING Birmingham resident, Janet Sterling says even after 13 years in the UK she is still missing her family and the Jamaican Christmas festivity. ‘My first Christmas here was boring. I missed my family. I would rather be in Jamaica right now but it’s too expensive. Christmas is miserable in England. I do not have most of my family to go to different places here. I remember Christmas in Jamaica with lots of food, cake, decorations and my family.” DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2013 • 21
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