What are some traditional dances in Jamaica?
Traditional Jamaican Dances
- Quadrille This is a ballroom set dance, which originated in the courts of Europe and was danced in Jamaica by the gentry during slavery. ...
- Kumina or Cumina Kumina is the most African of Jamaican cults. ...
- Maypole A European retention which was originally celebrated on May first at the May Day fertility celebration in England. ...
What is Jamaican traditional dance?
What is Jamaican traditional dance?
- Bruckins. Bruckins, as a member of the creolised group of traditional dances, reveals a unique mixture of African and European influences.
- Burru. This particular form of dance is a fertility masquerade found in Lionel Town and Hayes (Clarendon).
- Dinki-mini.
- Ettu.
- Gerreh.
- Gumbay.
- Jonkunnu.
- Kumina.
How to dance like a Jamaican?
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What type of dance is done is Jamaica?
Jamaican traditional dances fall roughly into three categories: African derived, European derived and Creole, that is, a mixture of both types. The African derived, such as Kumina, Myal and Pocomania, are mainly religious dances integral to worship ceremonies. They take the ritualists into the realm of the spiritual, and heighten their ...
What is Jamaica's traditional dance?
Bruckins, burru, dinki-minni, ettu, gerreh, gumbay, jonkunnu, kumina, maypole, myal, quadrille, tambu and zella. Dance is such a wonderful artistic expression, influenced by history and culture. Jamaica has a rich heritage of traditional dances, but today many of them are hardly known.
What is the most popular dance in Jamaica?
KuminaThe single most popular and traditional dance is the “Kumina,” which originated in West Africa. This style of dance is predominantly found in the parishes of St. Thomas and St. Mary and is otherwise known as “Kalunga” or “Kaduunga.”
Is there a Jamaican dance?
Daggering is a form of dance originating from Jamaica. The dance incorporates the male dancer ramming his crotch area into the female dancer's buttocks, and other forms of frantic movement. Daggering is not a traditional dance; it is of recent origin, associated with the 2006 wave of dancehall music.
Why is dance important in Jamaica?
The African derived, such as Kumina, Myal and Pocomania, are mainly religious dances integral to worship ceremonies. They take the ritualists into the realm of the spiritual, and heighten their readiness for spirit possession.
What style of dance is dancehall?
Dancehall is a type of dance and music that branched off of reggae in 1970s Jamaica. These energetic and upbeat forms of music and dance are very closely tied together.
What is traditional dance and example?
A Traditional dance will therefore have arisen from a people's cultural traditions, for example, the folk dances of indigenous populations of Europe. However, dances that have a ritual origin or purpose are not usually considered to be Traditional dances. These are known as 'Religious dances' instead.
What is the reggae dance called?
SkankingSkanking is a form of dancing practiced in the ska, ska punk, hardcore punk, reggae, drum and bass and other music scenes. The dance style originated in the 1950s or 1960s at Jamaican dance halls, where ska music was played.
What is dancing to reggae called?
0:031:53What Is Reggae Dancehall? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell reggae dancehall basically is an offspring of reggae. Music right reggae music which is youMoreWell reggae dancehall basically is an offspring of reggae. Music right reggae music which is you know like Bob Marley is a Peter Tosh body wheel about dance.
Is a traditional dance?
Traditional Dance forms (often called Folk dances in the West) can be defined as any local dancing tradition, often strongly connected with local musical forms and/or local beliefs.
Where does Jamaican dance come from?
DancehallCultural originsLate 1970s Jamaica, especially KingstonDerivative formsReggaeton dembow afroswingSubgenresRagga3 more rows
Where did the Jamaican dance come from?
Jamaica's street dance culture dates back to the late 50's early 60's. In anticipation of Jamaica gaining independence from Britain, the late 50's brought about a new found spirit of nationalism.
What is the Jamaica form of dance and music?
There are three styles – the Ballroom Style, the Camp Style and the Contra Style. The Ballroom Style (or Square) of Quadrille originated from the popular dance of the French and English in the 18th and 19th centuries and highlighted the elegance and mannerisms of the elite of these societies.
What are some of the most famous dances in Jamaica?
Bruckins, burru, dinki-minni, ettu, gerreh, gumbay, jonkunnu, kumina, maypole, myal, quadrille, tambu and zella. Dance is such a wonderful artistic expression, influenced by history and culture. Jamaica has a rich heritage of traditional dances, but today many of them are hardly known. With time new dances emerge that express today’s culture ...
What is Jamaica's dance heritage?
Bruckins. Bruckins, a creolised traditional dance, is a unique mixture of African and European influences. Bruckins is a stately, dipping-gliding dance typified by the “thrust and recovery” action of the hip and leg.
What is Zella dance?
Zella dance is rarely heard of but is similar in form and structure to Dinki-minni. It forms part of the death observances and rituals in Portland. The main instrument played are two Kumina drums. For the full article go to: https://jis.gov.jm/information/jamaicas-heritage-dance-music/jamaicas-heritage-dance/.
Why do Jamaicans dance nine nights?
Besides cultural festival and competitions you can see some of these dances at certain events, such as a nine-night to celebrate the life of a lost one and encourage those in mourning . Kumina is more than a dance, it is a religion that many Jamaicans still practice.
What is Jonkunnu dance?
Jonkunnu is performed by a roving band of dancers in masquerade along with a musical band. They usually perform in towns and villages around Christmas time. The musicians play well known traditional songs with their fife, bass and rattling drums, shakas and graters.
What is the dance called when you dance with a roving band?
This dance is well known among the Maroons. Jonkunnu is performed by a roving band of dancers in masquerade along with a musical band.
Where did the dances of the Congo originate?
The dance characters were usually performed by men - King and Queen, Cow Head, Horse Head, Devil, Pitchy Patchy, Red Indians and Belly Woman. Kumina. Kumina originated in the Congo and was brought to Jamaica by free Africans in between1840s to 60s. It is generally performed in the parish of St. Thomas to celebrate special events.
What is Jamaica's traditional dance?
Copied! The Caribbean island of Jamaica, sitting just south of Cuba in the Greater Antilles, forged a colorful identity from a rich mix of African, European, and Creole, or hybrid, influences. Traditional dances reflect all the cultures that contributed to ritual, sexual, and spiritual moves ...
What is Jamaica's dance style?
The waves of European settlers who found their fortunes in Jamaica brought the familiar comfort of their own traditional dances to the tropical island. But they also brought people with a vivid, ineradicable African culture that expressed its history and feelings in music and dance. The mix fused spirited rhythmic and sensuous movements with repetitive forms to create the distinctly Jamaican style of the island's folk dancing. Traces of those traditional dances are still evident in popular Jamaican exports, today's reggae and dancehall styles.
What is the Kumina dance?
The Kumina is danced at wakes and burials , and occasionally at less sombre events. The performance itself is anything but sombre. An African drumbeat and exuberant, life-affirming choreography are intended to restore the bereaved to engagement with life by calling on the ancestral spirits to heal and comfort them. The moves are loose - upper body and legs in constant motion and pelvic isolations, some fairly explicit, linked to the drumbeat. The tradition of Nine Nights recalls the nine days that neighbors supported the grieving family as the burial was prepared, culminating in the drumming, singing, and dancing of the Kumina.
What is the meaning of ettu in dance?
Ettu is prayer reserved for special events, such as a wedding, a death, a severe illness, or to placate the ancestors.
What is ettu dance?
Ettu dance is a religious practice of the Nigerian migrants who first came to Jamaica as indentured servants. It is danced in individual worship and praise, not for the audience. The dancer faces the drummer, who controls the movement. Each family has its own dance with distinct moves. Women dance more subtly than men - erect, angular, barefoot, tilted slightly forward. Men, also barefoot for better contact with the earth and ancestors, are very energetic. Both dance solo, except when they are being "shawled." Shawling is the placing of a scarf around the neck or waist of an especially fine dancer. Then the dancer may be assisted to bend backwards as far as his or her muscles will allow. Ettu is prayer reserved for special events, such as a wedding, a death, a severe illness, or to placate the ancestors.
What is a quadrille dance?
The Quadrille is a formal court dance, imported by European gentry who ran the slave plantations. It consists of four figures or movements plus an added Jamaican touch, a fifth figure known as the Mento. An original version is a graceful set piece called Ballroom. The local derivation is Camp Style, a sexier, livelier Creole reinterpretation. Classic European-style advancing and retreating and promenades get a lot more footwork and hip swinging. Both dances are accompanied by Mento bands, which play both the European tunes and indigenous Jamaican music on regular and recycled scrap instruments.
What is the purpose of African drumbeat?
An African drumbeat and exuberant, life-affirming choreography are intended to restore the bereaved to engagement with life by calling on the ancestral spirits to heal and comfort them. The moves are loose - upper body and legs in constant motion and pelvic isolations, some fairly explicit, linked to the drumbeat.
What are the three types of dances in Jamaica?
Jamaican traditional dances fall roughly into three categories: African derived, European derived and Creole, that is, a mixture of both types. The African derived, such as Kumina, Myal and Pocomania, are mainly religious dances integral to worship ceremonies.
What are some examples of Creole dances?
The Creole dances that were created in Jamaica tend to borrow elements from both European and African cultures, for example, Johnkannu/Jonkonnu - the oldest and most popular, Bruckin's, Pukkumina and Revival.
What is the oldest dance in Jamaica?
Myal is one of the oldest dances in Jamaica and is associated with a type of religious observance. It was mostly performed in the parish of St. Elizabeth and has been erroneously associated with Obeah. The dance shows a wide range of body movements, extensive use of space and violence of action. These are done by throwing the body on the ground and by acrobatic feats, as well as a vibrating movement brought about by a succession of rapid sideway shifts from foot to foot, on the toes and with knees bent.
What is the dance of the coconut tree?
The dance consists of a series of long steps followed by vibrating sideways body movements and by wheeling turns and sudden stops with pelvic forward tilt. During possession various feats such as back bending, rolling over in somersaults and climbing high coconut trees could be observed.
What is the Gerreh dance?
The Gerreh is a dance of African origin that is performed the night after the death of a person. The dance is very lively and celebratory in nature and geared to cheering the bereaved. It is similar to the Dinki Mini and Zella with more emphasis being placed on the hip movements executed mainly by the female dancers.
What is the dance called when you move towards each other?
Tambu. The tambu dance takes its name from the drum referred to as “tambu” and is performed mainly for entertainment with couples facing and moving towards each other using the Shay-shay, Saleone and Mabumba sequence. The shay-shay features rotating action of the hips, shuffling along with one foot on the ball.
What is quadrille dance?
Quadrille is a coupled (male and female) dance in Jamaica which was danced during slavery. There are three styles – the Ballroom Style, the Camp Style and the Contra Style. The Ballroom Style (or Square) of Quadrille originated from the popular dance of the French and English in the 18 th and 19 th centuries and highlighted the elegance and mannerisms of the elite of these societies. While the Camp style of Quadrille also known as long way set formation includes African elements and is known as the Afro-Jamaican version of the Ballroom Quadrille. The Contra Style Quadrille is performed only to Mento music from beginning to end.
What is the meaning of Ettu dance?
It is believed that Ettu is a corruption of the word Edo, the name of a West African Yoruba Tribe . The dance involves the lifting, and dropping of elbows and shoulders, with the feet doing sideways shuffling step. The songs are short and repetitive, built on four notes only and sung in a Yoruban dialect.
How does dance work?
These are done by throwing the body on the ground and by acrobatic feats, as well as a vibrating movement brought about by a succession of rapid sideway shifts from foot to foot, on the toes and with knees bent.
How many dances are there in Jamaica?
Over 30 traditional Jamaican dances have been identified here in Jamaica! According to the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) they fall roughly under three categories: African derived , European derived and Creole - which a mixture of both types. Watch! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS.
What are African dances?
The African derived dances are mainly religious ones being integral parts of ceremonies of worship. These dances take the ritualists into the realm the spiritual and heighten their readiness for possession e.g. Kumina, Myal and Pocomania.
What is the oldest Creole dance?
The Creole dances that were created in Jamaica tend to borrow elements from both European and African cultures e.g. Johnkannu [Jonkonnu] - the oldest and most popular, and Bruckin's, Pucomina and Revival. Dance is also represented during the Jamaican Hosay, a Caribbean East Indian festival. Jonkonnu and Hosay are considered secular dances, ...
Is Jonkonnu a secular dance?
Dance is also represented during the Jamaican Hosay, a Caribbean East Indian festival. Jonkonnu and Hosay are considered secular dances, despite the performance of Jonkonnu around Christmas time. For detailed information on each of these dances, click her to see the list of Jamaican dances.
What was Jamaica's dance sound called?
Inspired by this, local jazz musician and pioneering producer “Coxsone” Dodd was driven to create a uniquely Jamaican dance sound. This music was called Ska and fused American jazz and R&B with Jamaican mento, ...
When did reggae start?
Rocksteady, and later, reggae eventually evolved from ska in the late 1960’s. In response to ska, a dance called “the ska” was created and then later the more popular “skanking”, these were Jamaica’s first urban dance moves. “Ronnie and Jeanette” a popular local dance team visited the 1964 World’s Fair in New York along with renowned Jamaican ...
What is the music style of Jamaica?
This music typically incorporates two guitars as well as drums, keyboards, and vocals. Reggae was made internationally popular by the singer Bob Marley. Some of the traditional dance styles created in Jamaica include: bruckins, jonkonnu, and daggering. Each of these dances are influenced by a combination of European and African traditions.
What type of music is Jamaica known for?
Music And Dance. One of the most widely recognized types of music from Jamaica is known as reggae. Reggae was first influenced by Jazz and Rhythm and Blues music, which was created and made popular by the African American population in the US. This music typically incorporates two guitars as well as drums, keyboards, and vocals.
What are some of the best known Jamaican authors?
Some well-known Jamaican authors include: Nalo Hopkinson, Eliot Bliss, Claude McKay, and Velma Pollard. In addition to its literature, Jamaica also has a thriving arts scene. Performance theater is one of the most popular arts to take place here. Its history dates back to the late 17th century, when the first theater was built.
What is the tradition of oral storytelling in Jamaica?
The residents of Jamaica have kept the tradition of oral storytelling alive in this country; this tradition has been passed down through generations of descendants of African slaves. In addition to this tradition, many Jamaicans have gone on to become successful authors.
What are the ingredients in Jamaican food?
Some of the most commonly used ingredients in Jamaican cuisine include: coconut, jackfruit, allspice, tamarind, and pigeon peas. A widely recognized Jamaican dish is jerk chicken, which has been seasoned by a local marinade or dry rub.
What is Jamaica's food?
Jamaican food is the result of a mixture of Spanish, British, Indian, and African cooking techniques and recipes. Additionally, some of the dishes from other countries have been adapted to the fruits, vegetables, and spices available on this island. Some of the most commonly used ingredients in Jamaican cuisine include: coconut, jackfruit, allspice, tamarind, and pigeon peas. A widely recognized Jamaican dish is jerk chicken, which has been seasoned by a local marinade or dry rub. The most important meal of the day is eaten in the afternoon and in the evening, most people have a tea and a light snack.
What is the Daggering dance?
It is a sensual dance that involves close physical contact between both partners.
