Stay up-to-date with all that's new at My-Island-Jamaica, Click Here to subscribe for my updates and don't miss a thing!

Have a QUESTION?

Print This Page

Traditional Jamaican Dances
A Proud Cultural Legacy

Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.

Don't Risk your vacation! Use a trusted and dependable tour guide!

Custom Search

campion college school traditional jamaican dances

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.

New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS

Click Here to watch my latest videos on my fun YouTube channel - you'll love it!

Click Here to see the complete list of Jamaica's traditional 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.

Many believe that we are highly indebted to our Maroon Communities for the preservation of these aspects of our African Heritage.

There are also 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.

The best European legacy is said to be the Morris dance, brought to Jamaica by indentured servants from England, Scotland, and Ireland.

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, 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.

Pages Related To Traditional Jamaican Dances

Reference:

Wikipedia.org
National Libray of Jamaica

Return to Jamaican Culture from Jamaica's Traditional Dances
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Traditional Jamaican Dances

If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, My Island Jamaica Digest here. It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica!

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Talk To Me
Was the information helpful? Something needs changing? I welcome your feedback here.

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Recommended For You ...

P.S. Didn't find exactly what you were looking for? Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

About The Author

A patriotic Jamaican who adores his culture, Wellesley has been using this medium to share what he calls 'the uniqueness of Jamaica with the world' since April 2007.

To date, he serves over 9,300 unique readers / viewers per day.

His efforts have earned him featured positions in local publications, including the Jamaica Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica, Carlong Publishers, as well as recognition from numerous prestigious international agencies and universities. Read more about him here.

He invites you to join his friends list and stay updated on all the latest. You are also invited to join his exclusive patron community.