other late 18th century accounts

Peter Marsden, An account of the Island of Jamaica, 1788

"At Christmas the slaves are allowed three days holiday during which time they are quite at liberty, and have herrings, flour and rum. They dance minuets. . .imitating the motion and steps of the English but with a degree of affection that renders the whole truly laughable and ridiculous. . .A gentleman some years ago was murdered here by his slaves, purely because he obliged them to work on the days appointed for holidays."

William Beckford, A descriptive account of the Island of Jamaica, 1790

The negroes at this season of the year are in continual hurry and confusion nor do they ever seem to form any regular plans for the conduct or amusement of those days which they anticipate with so much pleasure and which they generally consume with as little thought. Their occupations and diversions seem to arise from the impulse of the moment; and many pass their time in dull and sedentary inaction, who were previously determined to give themselves up to song and dance. The first day of this recurring holiday they generally spend among the mountains, in collecting provisions for their own use, or in raising money to expend again in dress and trifles at the neighbouring town: the more wealthy sell poultry, or kill a hog, (by which they make a considerable profit), or give an entertainment to their friends, or make a public assembly, at which every person pays a stipulated sum at his admittance.

The mulattoes likewise at this season have their public balls, and vie with each other in the splendour of their appearance; and it will hardly be credited how very expensive their dress and ornaments are, and what pains they take to disfigure themselves with powder and with other unbecoming imitations of the European dress. Their common apparel at other times, and mode of attiring, are picturesque and elegant; and as the forms of the young women are turned with equal grace and symmetry, and as their motions in the dance are well calculated show off their make to the greatest advantage the most pleasing attitudes, as well as the most various inflections of body and of limbs, may be taken from them when thus engaged their most favourite amusement.

At Christmas the negroes upon neighbouring estates are divided like other communities, into different parties: some call themselves the Blue girls, and some the Red; and their clothes are generally characteristic of their attachment.

The plantation Negroes always make a point to visit their masters at Christmas when they array themselves in all their finery: they divide themselves upon the different estates; and those belonging to one property go down in procession together; and those of another, though belonging to the same master detach themselves in like manner, and proceed with music and singing to the place of their destination: at which, when arrived, and after having made their odd salutations they begin the song and dance, for it is almost impossible to do one without the other; and the very children, so soon as they are able to walk, at the first sound of the cotter (which I shall hereafter explain) put their little elbows in motion – their feet shall shortly follow, and in a little time the whole body seem[s] to be in action.

. . .

When the negroes are assembled at Christmas in all their finery, and select a spreading tree, under the shadow of which they assemble, they certainly form many very picturesque and pleasing groups, and though a general resemblance of colour and features may be thought at a little distance to prevail, - yet the most common observer will, upon a near inspection, perceive a very striking discrimination of both.

Some negroes will sing and dance and some will be in a constant state of intoxication, during the whole period that their festival at Christmas shall continue; and what is more extraordinary several of them will go ten or twelve miles to what is called a play, will sit up and drink all night, and yet return in time to the plantation for their work the ensuing morning: many, indeed; are consequently laid up in the hospitals; and too many, I fear, fall victims to condemned watchfulness, fatigue and inebriety.

William Beckford, 1744-99,

was the cousin of the more famous, or infamous, William Beckford, the author of Vathek.

He was the illegitimate son of Richard Beckford, who left him several properties in Jamaica, including Roaring River. William, born in Jamaica and educated in England, lived in the island from 1774-88. On his return to London financial problems landed him in the Fleet Prison for his debts. While in prison he wrote A Descriptive Account of the Island of Jamaica.

  Long's account of 'John Canoe', and several other early accounts of Christmas festivities in Jamaica which I

  have presented here, were included in a long article by Charles E deMercado in the Daily Gleaner, December

 15, 1906.

For an excellent account of the development of Jonkunnu and later Christmas maskerades read pages 224-246 of Errol Hill's The Jamaican Stage 1655-1900: Profile of a Colonial Theatre.

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joy lumsden 2006.