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Dances
Jamaican traditional dances fall roughly under three categories:
African derived, European derived and Creole, that is, a mixture of both types.
The African derived dances are mainly religious, being integral parts of ceremonies of worship. These dances take the ritualists into the realm of the spiritual and heighten their readiness for spiritual possession e.g. Kumina, Myal and Pocomania.
Jamaica is indebted largely to the Maroon Communities for the preservation of these aspects of our African Heritage
There are other African derived dances that were social in intent and which are still performed in Jamaica. These include Etu, Quadrille and Maypole which though originally of religious significance, is now largely social. The dances which accompany work songs and ring games also fall into this category are examples of social dances that are of European origin and have kept their popularity throughout the years.
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, Bruckin’s, Pukkumina and Revival.
Bruckins
Bruckins is a member of the creolised group of traditional dances. As with Jonkonnu, the dance reveals a unique mixture of African and European influences. The Bruckins party is a stately, dipping-gliding dance typified by the “thrust and recovery” action of the hip and leg. It was formerly done to commemorate the Emancipation of slaves on August 1, 1838. The form and content of the dance, with Red and Blue Sets competing, is reminiscent of 19th century plantation Jonkonnu and the Set Girls’ parade. The movement was said to have been derived from the Pavanne, a European court dance of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Pavanne originated in Italy.
Dinki mini
Dinki mini is mainly found in St. Andrew, St. Mary and St. Ann. It is a member of the Wake Complex of traditional dances. Dinki mini is performed on the second to the eighth night of the traditional ninth night observances. These sessions are primarily lively and celebratory in nature and are geared to cheering the bereaved. Dancing in couples and sing lively “mento” type of music occur for the first few nights.
By the sixth to the seventh night, Ring games, Anansi stories, riddles dominates the proceedings. The ninth night is climaxed by rituals designed to send off the “mature” spirit properly. It is related to the Gere practices best known on the western end of the island.
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