Mocko Jumbies are Caribbean stilt dancers dressed in sheeny colorful garb with satins, sequins, and often a carnival mask. The original Mocko Jumbies were part of religious rituals in West Africa trying to scare off bad spirits. The West Indian version of the Mocko Jumbies is more party than spiritual. You'll burst with laughter and applause at their gravity defying kicks and bends to the Calypso beat and sounds of bells, drums, hoots, and whistles. Try dancing with one that is perched on 10 to 15 foot stilts, and your eyes may come up to its knees. Speaking of eyes, keep your eye on your first born - they love to pick up kids and dance with them at giant heights.
Now take away the "mocko"and a jumbie is a West Indian term for ghost or spirit. So their original purpose in life was to scare away the evil spirits. Today, they light up the crowds and get everyone feeling "hot, hot, hot".
Although you can find them throughout the Caribbean islands, both the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and the BVI claim them as their own.
How Can You See a Mocko Jumbie Performance?
You'll find them swaying down the streets at all of the Virgin Island Carnival parades. But the best way to see them is on a BVI yacht charter. Sail to North Sound, Virgin Gorda on a Friday, and have your crew book you a spot at the Leverick Bay Barbecue where you can join in on their conga line. Or drop the anchor in Trellis Bay, Tortola for their Full Moon Party each month along with fire dancers, a giant fireball, and a medley of Calypso, Reggae, and rum. Heck, the Mocko Jumbies are so popular that they've even made it onto the logo of the U.S. Virgin Islands.Ocean Getaways has staged some fun-packed Carnival Theme Parties for our corporate yacht charters. They are a very special highlight for a unique family incentive program on yachts. Plus we've organized some very special surprise birthday parties in the BVI with the Mocko Jumbies as the headline act. Best to have them perform dockside as they wouldn't fit too well on a yacht.
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