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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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Three Ministers
Three ministers - a Presbyterian, a Methodist, and a Southern Baptist and their wives were all on a cruise together. A tidal wave came up and swamped the ship, and they all drowned. The next thing you know, they're standing before St.Peter.
As fate would have it, the first in line was the Presbyterian and his wife. St. Peter shook his head sadly and said, "I can't let you in. You were moral and upright, but you loved money too much. You loved it so much, you even married a woman named Penny."
St.Peter waved sadly, and poof! Down the chute to the 'Other Place' they went. Then came the Methodist. "Sorry, can't let you in either," said Saint Peter "You abstained from liquor and dancing and cards, but you loved food too much.
You loved food so much, you even married a woman named Candy!" Sadly, St. Peter waved again, and whang! Down the chute went the Methodists.
The Southern Baptist turned to his wife and whispered nervously, "It ain't looking good, Fanny."
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