THIS is a Mocko Jumbie.

Mocko Jumbies have a love-hate relationship with the Caribbean and are not specific to St. Croix.  

They are more than “stilt-walkers”.  They are mysterious, fascinating, and curious.  They are young boys and girls being taught the importance of preserving history, culture and tradition. 

Although the Mocko Jumbie is our cultural icon, it orginally hails from African folklore.  I am one fat history buff, but someone else has already done the history and preserved the respect this interesting being deserves. I don’t want to reproduce the multitude of info that is already out there, so here are some links to access the good stuff:

GoToStCroix.com’s History of the Mocko Jumbie

Mocko Jumbie Stilt Dancer History

Basic History of the Mocko Jumbie

Mokolution is a DVD  produced right here on St Croix that displays a beautiful time line of the evolution of the Mocko Jumbie.  There are four parts to the series, Part 1 here:

Once there, you can view the other three parts, which grow increasingly intense and louder with each part.

While on St. Croix, you can see Mocko Jumbies at Jump Ups (occur four times a year.  Check this calendar  for dates) Hotel On The Cay Tuesday Night Floor Show, Thursday nights at the Divi Carina Bay Hotel & Casino and  Friday nights at the  Pirate Buffet at Carambola Beach Club.

You can also fish on a Mocko Jumbie:

Go here to do that.

Hope you enjoyed this tid bit of Caribbean culture.  Maybe you’ll win Jeopardy with it one day.

xo
bfm

Tags: caribbean culture, caribbean history, mocko jumbie fishing boat, mocko jumbies, mokolution, willard john