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Christmas Eve in Jamaica
12/22/05
Christmas Eve in Jamaica
December 24 is Grand Market (or Gran' Market) night in Jamaica and as a child that was always a night to look forward to at Christmas. The shops are all open as long as the shoppers are out. The streets are lined with street vendors selling toys, sweets, balloons, star lights, firecrackers and all the excitement of Christmas. The music is played loudly for everyone’s enjoyment. You can always get that last minute gift, no problem. Most Jamaican families however, go to Grand Market simple for the fun and excitement of it all.
I was born and raised in Kingston and I must confess we are cheated out of the ‘whole nine yards’ of Grand Market. Traditionally on Christmas Eve, Jamaicans not only celebrated Christmas with Grand Market but also with Jonkanoo (or John Canoe). In rural Jamaica these traditions are still observed and enjoyed in most communities.
Follow up:
Grand Markets is a community fair celebrated with food, street dancing, crafts and music which last throughout the day and night . The Markets are decorated with streamers, large accordion-style bells, and balloons. People dress in fancy clothes, including bright hats purchased upon entering the Grand Market.
Jonkanoo is a traditional Christmas celebration which was brought to Jamaica by the Africa slaves. Jonkanoo dancers parade through the streets dressed in colourful costumes. Jonkanoo bands include a mixture of traditional and modern characters, which vary from one part of the island to another. These characters includes Cow Head or Horse-head, King, Queen (wearing a veil), Devil, Pitchy-Patchy, Red Indians, Belly Woman (a "woman" with largely pronounced/exaggerated "pregnancy") and a mock Policeman to keep the crew and crowd in check.
Christmas Eve is a fun day for all, whether in Kingston or in rural Jamaica. It’s a great time for families to bond and have fun together. After a great night out you get in just in time to get dressed and head out again for Christmas service or mass depending on your religion.
If you are in Jamaica this Christmas make sure to join in the festivities.
Nuff love.
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The Small Sandal Shop
A married couple was on holiday in Jamaica. They were touring around the marketplace looking at the goods when they passed this small sandal shop.
From inside they heard the shopkeeper with a Jamaican accent say, "You!
Foreigners! Come in, come into my humble shop."
So the married couple walked in.
The Jamaican said to them, "I have some special sandals I think you would be interested in. They make you wild at sex."
Well, the wife was really interested in buying the sandals after what the man claimed, but her husband felt he really didn't need them, being the sex god he was.
The husband asked the man, "How could sandals make you into a sex freak?"
The Jamaican replied, "Just try them on."
Well, the husband, after some badgering from his wife, finally gave in, and tried them on. As soon as he slipped them onto his feet, he got this wild look in his eyes, something his wife hadn't seen in many years!
In the blink of an eye, the husband grabbed the Jamaican, bent him
violently over a table, yanked down his pants, ripped down his own pants,and grabbed a firm hold of the Jamaican's hips.
The Jamaican then began screaming; "YOU GOT THEM ON THE WRONG FEET!!!"
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