Moko jumbie
A Moko Jumbie (also known as Mocko Jumbie, Moko Jumbi, Moko Jumby, or Moko Zumbi) is a traditional stilt walker or dancer associated with Caribbean Carnivals for over 200 years.[1] Originating from West African traditions, Moko Jumbie cultural practices were introduced to the Caribbean island by enslaved Africans during the 19th century. [2][3][4]
Moko Jumbie performers usually wear masks and costumes that blend African and European traditions. Their choreography often incorporates jumps and elements of masquerade.[3] Traditionally, one or two Moko Jumbies would parade with a small band of musicians, often issuing blessings and warding off evil spirits.[3][5] Moko Jumbies remain central to many Caribbean celebrations around the world, and now whole troupes of Moko Jumbies may march together.[3]
Etymology
[edit]The name Moko Jumbie has African and Caribbean origins.[6] Moko originates from Central Africa, meaning a healer, spirit guardian, or deity of retribution.[7] Jumbie is commonly used across the Caribbean to refer to spirits,[8][9] and comes from the Kongo language word "zumbi".[6]
History
[edit]
Moko is an Orisha from Central and West African cultures such as the Congo and Nigerian cultures, revered as a guardian figure. His tall stature allowed him to perceive malevolence before it was visible to ordinary individuals.[5] Reverence for Moko was likely brought to the Caribbean during the Atlantic slave trade, when Africans were enslaved to work on the islands' plantations.[3][4]
From the 18th century, masqueraders across the Caribbean would perform in the streets and visit people's homes on festive occasions such as Christmas, New Year's Day, and Whitsun, often in the style of Moko Jumbie. This tradition appeared in locales such as Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. An early recorded appearance of the Moko Jumbie is dated to 1791 in St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands.[3]
From the 1870s, records describe early Moko Jumbie costumes in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines that consisted of European women's dresses under layers of petticoats, often with headdresses to increase their height. African motifs and beadwork were gradually introduced into the designs through a process of Creolization, and likely overtook the European elements around the middle of the 20th century.[3]
Following a period of decline in the 20th century, Moko Jumbie underwent revivals across the Caribbean, including in St. Thomas in the 1970s and in Trinidad in the 1980s.[1][3][4]
Present day
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Many Caribbean islands celebrate their Moko Jumbie traditions, including Antigua, Bermuda, and Trinidad and Tobago.[5][10][11][12] It is common to see groups of Moko Jumbie performers walking together at carnival.[3] Training programs for young people offer mentorship as well as instruction in the techniques and historical context of Moko Jumbie.[13][14]
Popular culture
[edit]- In 1978, Trinidadian choreographer Geoffrey Holder used Moko Jumbies in the Broadway musical Timbuktu![4]
- In 2004, German photographer Stephan Falke published Moko Jumbies: The Dancing Spirits of Trinidad, which documented the activities of Glen de Souza (known as Dragon) in reviving Moko Jumbie in Trinidad and Tobago.[4]
- In 2009, the U.S. Department of Tourism of the U.S. Virgin Islands released a new logo which features the Moko Jumbie.[15][1][16]
- In the late 2000s, Noggin, fine edutainment spin-off of the Nick Jr. Channel, released an animated music video called "Papa Moco Jumbie", in which a little boy wants to dance like his father, a moko jumbie, in the carnival.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Moko Jumbies: Cultural Ambassadors for USVI". Virgin Islands This Week. 2023-06-05. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ Bennett, S.A.; Phillips, Claire; Moore, Natalie (Jan 2009). "Moko Jumbies: Dancing Spirits from Africa". Arts & Activities. 144 (5): 24–25. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Nicholls, Robert W. (1999). "The Mocko Jumbie of the U.S. Virgin Islands; History and Antecedents". African Arts. 32 (3): 49–96. doi:10.2307/3337709. ISSN 0001-9933. JSTOR 3337709.
- ^ a b c d e Funk, Ray (2018-01-01). "Walk tall, moko jumbie | Closeup". Caribbean Beat Magazine. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ a b c Solomon, Wendy (2010-10-18). "St. Croix Blog, The Mocko Jumbie: A Cultural Icons | GoToStCroix.com". | GoToStCroix.com. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ a b "Moko Jumbies: The enigmatic stilt walkers of the Caribbean". Our History. May 17, 2019. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ Fraser, Narissa (7 January 2024). "Kelicia, the fearless moko jumbie". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. (December 2023). "jumbie (n.)".
- ^ "History of Caribbean Moko Jumbie Stilt Walkers in St. Croix, Virgin Islands - Thrillist". www.thrillist.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ "Traditional Mas Characters - Moko Jumbie". www.ncctt.org. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ Farrell, Sylvin (October 18, 2022). "Mocko Jumbie Today". The Antigua & Barbuda Cultural Information System. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Bermuda International Gombey Festival Kicks off Next Week | Government of Bermuda". www.gov.bm. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ "@ School: Moko Jumbie Academy". St. Thomas Source. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ "About". MokoJumbie Yisrael. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ "Mocko Jumbie logo press release" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-24. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
- ^ "VI Department of Tourism". VI Department of Tourism. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ Marvin Sease Jr. (2009-11-28). Papa Moco Jumbie (High Quality). Retrieved 2025-04-02 – via YouTube.