Buru singing display for national museum - Old Harbour Bay custom in the spotlight

An audio, as well as a visual display on the Old Harbour Bay Christmas custom of Buru singing will be mounted December 23 through January 2021 at the National Museum Jamaica, with the assistance of the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica Division of the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ).

The Christmas Day custom has been happening for untold generations and includes a parade through Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine, beginning on Christmas morning. Buru is akin to the more recognised Jonkonnu and masquerade, although now celebrated in Old Harbour Bay without costumes. On Christmas Day the Buru drummers move through the community, singing songs of rebuke and ridicule about members who have committed offences during the past year.

No one is beyond reproach, be they teacher, preacher, politician or inspector. Accused, convicted and shamed, Buru provides a venue for offenders to redeem themselves, firstly to the ancestors and community as a whole, and to make amends publicly to the injured. Ultimately, the expectation and everyone’s hope is for delinquents to join in the fun and singing — to accept their ‘correction’ and join in making the community whole for the new year.

David Stimpson, curator at National Museum Jamaica who is responsible for the Buru display expresses the importance of this tradition. “This is an entirely spontaneous community effort, one no doubt reminiscent of so many of our grass roots customs that have been lost, or that are dependent on Government agency. The people of Old Harbour Bay, as far as I know, are unique in upholding their Buru. Indeed, it is an obligation that is still strongly felt by young and old, who each year, together, compose new songs on the local happenings,” he explained.

Deep-rooted in tradition, the parade begins with the drummers and singers visiting the graves and homes of Buru group members who have passed on. They douse the ground with rum — as is a tradition all across Jamaica — to honour one’s ancestors.

The IOJ, established in 1879 by Jamaica’s then Governor General, Sir Anthony Musgrave, is charged by the Government to store and preserve some of the country’s most valuable treasures that date back to pre-colonisation, and also to educate Jamaicans and others about the country’s rich cultural heritage through the “Encouragement of Literature, Science and Art”. The IOJ is an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.