Immediately his voice was filled with excitement. Craig West spoke quickly with a passion that could not belie the nostalgia that overwhelmed him as he recalled Christmas in his younger days in Islington St. Mary. The very words that he used, the rush to get everything out suddenly, the need to speak about each aspect of his life that was touched by the Christmas joy, all came together. They told a story about West.
He loved Christmas time. “We used to have Jonkonnu, and they walked for miles to entertain us, going into the different places, dancing, scaring people; food like cassava pone, potato pudding, sorrel; storytelling in the moonlight; soda, yes, when yuh get a soda yuh feel like a king. Dem days deh used to nice man,” he said, still reminiscing.
“Wherever you are in Jamaica, people would find their original home at that time, but now?” He paused, before continuing, “Dat nah gwaan again, a phone call a run things, people just call and send wishes.”
Then there was a change in his tone, his voice suddenly fell flat, his response was slower, and short sentences replaced the longer ones. Something was missing. “Dem days deh gone man, not much leave. Everything a change now, no more Jonkonnu, no more ginger beer from granny, no more pudding, no cassava pone, most people a buy cake mix these days.”
Dismay
“Mi feel like somebody cut off a piece a mi,” added 33 year old West. A fireman by profession, the upcoming reggae artiste who is also called “Misa West” (a name which reflects his love for his cultural roots, ‘Misa’ being synonymous with ‘Mr.’ in rural areas) expressed dismay at the changes. He blames technological advances like cable TV and cell phones, but said laziness is the main factor that has contributed to the cultural erasure islandwide. According to West, Jamaicans are “too Americanized”.
Miguel Walters, a singer from the popular singing trio One Third expressed similar sentiments about shifts in Jamaican culture, and attributed it to a locals gravitating towards American traditions. “If you leave it to some people you will see chimney on their houses,” he commented. “Local Christmas traditions are disappearing and we’re seeing more foreign ones, I wouldn’t be surprised if I see people using Styrofoam to represent snow on their lawns!”
The 28 year old crooner said he was not against any culture, but there are too many new Jamaica traditions including food, music, and dance that are being ignored to adopt foreign ones. “I don’t have a problem with integration but we should retain what we have” he added. Growing up in Sterling Castle St. Andrew meant that Walters had access to the food, festivities and excitement of the season, all of which he holds in high esteem, especially the time spent with family and friends.
But while Christmas traditions meant the world then, he has had to adopt a new perspective since moving to the plains of Liguanea “in the pursuit of all things musical”. Walters confessed to having a KFC meal for dinner one year, when a celebratory trip did not materialize. But of course, he made up for it on Boxing Day. Since then, he has become a vegetarian and Christmas activities are now low key. Depending on his mood or schedule, there might be none at all. Nonetheless, there’s one thing Walters is not willing to compromise, the food. “Anything else can fluctuate, but not my sorrel with ginger, my soursop juice, rice and gungo peas, and especially the dukunu,” he added. “I still don’t know how to make it yet, but my wife and I will have to learn, that’s a priority,” he said chuckling.
Changes in traditional celebrations are becoming more visible in other parishes including Westmoreland. Tamara Bromfield who lives in New Town in the parish said she no longer observes Christmas because of new religious beliefs. But the 32 year old noted that the economic situation has impacted negatively on the age old festivities she once enjoyed. “It’s causing a financial strain on people because they can’t spend as how they used to back on the day,” she commented.
The parish of St. Thomas has also been touched by the changes. Jasmine Wong who lives in Orange Walk reminisced with joy about her many cherished Christmas memories - including her baking, food and charity to community members - that have remained constant for her. Her five children are now adults, the youngest being 33 years old. “Christmas is like another regular day now, I guess it has a lot to do with cash. Many people do not have the money to do shopping and make themselves comfortable anymore.”
But while the changes in celebration are blamed on finances, West says the lack of money should not be used an excuse for not enjoying ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. “Back then, people did have things hard but dem did happy, people used to be creative, as my granny used to say ‘tun yuh jan mek fashion’”. Wong also added her suggestion, arguing that it’s not the end of the world if cash is low. “If you don’t have the money and you have the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of sharing, then that’s a start. Have faith that something will turn up.”
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