This festival started during the time of slavery. The slaves would dress up and make fun of their masters. No one knows for sure what Jonkonnu means. Although rarer today, Jonkonnu is celebrated with parades, singing, dancing and dressing up in costumes usually in cultural festivals on the island. Independence Day is in August and celebrates Jamaica s independence from the British in 1962.
Children prepare songs and skits, and parades are held.
A big celebration is held in the capital city of Kingston. Make it look like the beach with beach balls, towels, lounge chairs and sand pails. Larger party stores have paper palm trees. Place the two stands about four feet apart. Put one of the clothes pegs on each stand at about four feet from the ground.