Traditionally, the musical element of a wake is integral to setting the tone and soulful purpose of the gathering. But our culture is changing. Can a wake fulfill its purpose if the music is different?
A wake or �nine-night� is a permanent marker of a black cultural practice in our local community. It symbolizes an important stage in death and funeral tradition in Jamaica, that of sending a spirit off to its final resting place before the day of the funeral. This �set-up� is clearly discernible, because community members reminisce, eat, sing, and dance until the wee hours of the morning.
Ordinarily, the meeting starts at 10:00 p.m., and the momentum waxes until daybreak. It is kept going by the fried fish, fritters, fried dumplings, coffee, cocoa, and the mandatory �whites�. Integral to prolonging this meeting until day- break is the band of choice gathered around the main table. They hover under a bare bulb, strung under the tent that is set up specifically for this night, tracking hymns from a Sankey.
In many rural communities, a Mento band would be present: ancient looking players, each with his unique instrument producing diverse rhythms, harmony, lyrics and style. The instruments range from a combination of an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, fiddles, fife or penny whistle, drums, a rumba box and shakers or ukulele, or one made from a straightened-out grater. They produce the original rural style sounds of a traditional wake.
In addition to the traditional instruments, the mento singers lead the hymns. These vocalists sing in a variety of styles and pitches. The nasal, undulating sounds of the hymns are synonymous with the folk tradition of duppies, thus creating an atmosphere that demands reverence for the dead throughout.
Today, the last goodbye of the deceased has become a celebration of a different nature. The organization is the same, but the mento band is replaced by a modern band, with young drummers, guitarists, and keyboard players who pound out a rhythm that keeps the crowd moving, even after the food has been served. Hymns are remixed and popular rhythms are used. It is not uncommon to find tiny-tots, teenagers, and elders, all together �throwing foot� or prancing in the inner circle of the main table.
I was a little troubled about the change. But isn�t this cultural transmission through the generations taking place?
In places like Portland, Mento bands are present at wakes. Today, the �Hurricane Band� of Hopedale, for instance, still performs at funerals and wakes, but they are mainly found at the Somerset Falls where they entertain tourists. They are still well received by youths who love the rhythmic presentations, kumina songs, calypso, and jazzy beats. But rarely do we see a youth playing the drums to keep the craft alive. Sadly, a time will come when we might only hear Mento singers perform at shows such as �Fi Wi Sinting� and other cultural festivals.
Indeed, will this new type of nine-night cause our tradition to lose its soul? Will the sprit not pass through the crowd at midnight to say its final goodbyes? I hope that, if ever one is displeased with the send-off, he will give us a sign to make his requests known, as a displeased spirits are notorious for doing in Jamaica.
Негізгі бет JAMAICAN NINE NIGHT
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