It’s a heritage dance of Jamaica. It became a popular social dance after emancipation and I enjoy the warmth and friendship that it creates in the JANUKA dance group.
Quadrille declined in 1950s with the introduction of American Dance and Calypso. Therefore as a descendant of slavery I need to continue to maintain this cultural dance, which my ancestors adapted to help them survive the hardship they suffered as displaced people.
I am aware that quadrille being a cultural and social dance is unknown to the 2nd and 3rd generations of Jamaicans whose parents migrated to the UK in the 50s and 60s. I see JANUKA dance group as a platform to raise awareness, encourage and engage the younger generation to participate
