Record #:

8596

Author(s):

Howe, Peggy

Abstract:

In the 19th-century, Wilmington and other coastal towns in North Carolina claimed one of the most unusual ways of celebrating Christmas. The celebration mixed Halloween and Christmas traditions and involved groups of eight to ten slaves who paraded through their communities in grotesque costumes on Christmas morning, singing, chanting, and dancing. They were called “Kooners” or the “John Kooners.” The custom was unheard of in other parts of the country. The parades were performed between the 1850s and the 1880s and always ended with the passing of a hat for donations.

Source:

Carolina Country (NoCar HD 9688 N8 C38x), Vol. 8 Issue 12, Dec 1976, p6-7, il

Subject(s):

Jonkonnu (Festival); African Americans--Social life and customs--Christmas

Record #:

36318

Author(s):

Walser, Richard

Abstract:

Because of a resurgence of interest in the topic, this article was reprinted from an earlier journal (See 19.4 1971:160-172).

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 47 Issue 2, Mid-Winter 2000, p96-110 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Christmas; African Americans--Social life and customs--Christmas; Masks

Record #:

36319

Author(s):

Werthwein, Linda

Abstract:

John Kooner signifies the connection between Africa and the shore that African slaves landed on. The masked tradition remains a tribute to African-European-American Indian-Caribbean peoples.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 47 Issue 2, Mid-Winter 2000, p111-118 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

African Americans--Social life and customs--Christmas; Traditions--North Carolina, Coastal; Masks; African Americans--Social life and customs; African tradition--John Kooner--Christmas