Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Domain of the Performing Arts
Mocko Jumbie Tradition
The ICH Domain of the Performing Arts was showcased on the inaugural Living Heritage featuring Traditional Knowledge Bearer Peter “Piggott” Walters on Thursday, June 06, 2024.
Mocko Jumble.
Peter "Piggott" Walters, a renowned Mocko Jumbie, shared his experience of being a traditional stilt-walker from the age of 9, when he began imitating the performers in his town of Sandy Point. He was noticed by one of the Mocko Jumbie troupe leaders who invited him to perform with his group.
The Element of the Mocko Jumbie, within the ICH Domain of the Performing Arts, can be traced back to Africa where several tribes had stilt walkers, some whose captivating dances formed part of funeral rites. The dialect word jumbie means a spirit of the dead walking the earth among the living. The artform is therefore commonly believed to have come to the Federation with the former enslaved who chiefly comprise the population of the sister islands.
During Living Heritage, Peter "Piggott" Walters outlined changes that took place during his decades of being a Mocko Jumbie from the 1960s to the 2010s. He recalled that when he first performed, the costume included stilts, a mask, a whip, and colorful gancan skirts. As time progressed, the skirts were removed, and more reverent and patriotic attire was added. According to Peter "Piggott" Walters, whereas traditional string band music was initially danced to, over the years Mocko Jumbies began dancing to any type of popular music.
Mocko Jumble.
Peter "Piggott" Walters, the Mocko Jumbie veteran, also invented several tricks, including holding one stick up at the front, which he called the chicken wing, and using different troupe members to make letter formations that could be seen from an arial view. He has performed at several Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA’s) and various clubs around the world had sponsored trips and accommodation for his troupe and himself to perform at various locations and events.
Now in his later years, Peter "Piggott" Walters no longer performs but keeps himself busy by passing on his knowledge to individuals willing to learn the artform. Living Heritage can be viewed or commented on by going to the Department of Creative Economy (Cultural Heritage’s) Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.
Conclusion
The Mocko Jumbie tradition is a rich and vibrant part of the cultural heritage of St. Kitts and Nevis, with roots dating back to Africa. Peter "Piggott" Walters, a renowned Mocko Jumbie, shared his experiences and knowledge with the world through the Living Heritage series.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Mocko Jumbie?
A Mocko Jumbie is a traditional stilt-walker from St. Kitts and Nevis, believed to have originated from African tribes that brought their cultural practices with them during the transatlantic slave trade. - Where did the tradition come from?
The tradition is believed to have come from Africa, where several tribes had stilt walkers, some whose captivating dances formed part of funeral rites. - How did the tradition change over time?
Over the years, the tradition underwent changes, including the removal of skirts and the addition of more reverent and patriotic attire, as well as the introduction of different music styles. - Who is Peter "Piggott" Walters?
Peter "Piggott" Walters is a renowned Mocko Jumbie veteran who has performed at various Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA’s) and around the world, and is now passing on his knowledge to individuals willing to learn the artform.