It was a chilled December evening on Friday 15th December 2012, when over 100 friends of JÁNUKA and their family, gathered in the Calabash Community Centre, 24-26 George Lane, Lewisham – London SE13 6HH, to experience a momentous occasion in the launch of JÁNUKA’s Website and Logo.
The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, mingled with the profusion of Caribbean eating delights. The melodious sound of popular Jamaican folk songs and Mento provided the background music that delighted the audience as they ate and viewed a slide show of JÁNUKA dancers in their vibrant costumes, taken at various performances over the years.
(1) Towns of Jamaica – by Louise Bennett - Sung by Caspar James
Caspar James, a friend of JÁNUKA from Culture Crossroads, illuminated the audience with his banjo and rendition of a collection of traditional Caribbean folk songs, peppered with rhythm and humour.
His unpublished rendition of “Mary Seacole Calypso”, and “Towns of Jamaica”, written by Louise Bennett, received rapturous applause.
It was evident that many Jamaican in the audience were very surprised that these towns with such “exceptionally peculiar” names actually existed. (See below for lyrics)
In this little island there are lots of little towns. And lots of little districts and villages around.
The funniest thing about them, are the names they call them by. Well, I’d like to give an idea of a few, so listen while I try.
You have Hunta-battam, Misseton-battam, Fritton-battam and Mimba-hole,
Teck-time, Maka-piece, Mocho-tung, Vera, Dry-Harbor-piece and Anancy-catacoo,
Guava-ridge, Sista-bridge, Granny-nidge, Put-together and Tumbledown.
Cotton-tree and Maka-tree, Walla-Walla and Jackass Town.
You have Pussgully, Ratgully, Flytoxally, Time and Patience. Salt-gut and Bear,
Duppy-hill, Puppy-hill, Granny-witta-hill. The Devil Race Course and Jackass Parade,
Duna-dunk, Constitution Hill, Marshall, Kin-hole, Bun-grung.
There is even a place in Westmoreland, dem call Madarajas Saucepan.
Now the parishes are Clarendon, St Andrew and St Mary, St Thomas, Portland, Westmoreland,
St Catherine too you see. St Anne, St James, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Trelawney.
You have Hannover and Kingston and now listen to me.
(2) Summary of JÁNUKA's Performance History and Highlights (2006-2012)
Sheila King completed the presentations with a comprehensive summary of JÁNUKA’s performances and the many highlights over the years. She reiterated the fact that we performed 41 times in 2012 primarily because of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence.
Full report in Narrative on JANUKA’s Achievements 2006 – 2012
(3) Poetry from Lucreta LaPierre
Lucreta, a member of JÁNUKA quadrille group (now deceased), gave a passionately recited self-penned poem called “They kept their spirits high”. This poem about our African ancestors’ survival of the Middle Passage and slavery in the West Indies was pertinent for this occasion. The message that they never gave up despite emotional pain and physical hardships, was clear and well received.
(4) Quadrille dancing
The first quadrille Camp Style dance by twelve JÁNUKA dancers, to instrumental music of The Rivers of Babylon, was specially choreographed for the occasion.
The second quadrille dance, an example of Ballroom Quadrille, was performed by our eight guest dancers from St Andrews United Reform Church. They danced to 20th Century quadrille music. The final Camp style dance by eight JÁNUKA dancers was the “Twist and Twirl” performed to instrumental music of one of Jamaica’s well-loved festival songs “Come sing with me” by Stanley and The Turbines.
All the dancers looked beautiful in their vibrant costumes. Their performances and the selected musical accompaniment delighted the audience, received rapturous applauses.
(5) Insights into why we dance the Quadrille
Jean Watson and Claudette Thomas presented the audience with insights into why JÁNUKA dancers chose to dance quadrille.
The individual accounts were very moving and demonstrated our individuality and collective passion and commitment to our educating and entertaining roles.
(6) Tribute to JÁNUKA on the occasion of our web launch
A Tribute to JÁNUKA by Pauline Hammett, a Friend of JÁNUKA, ensued.
She gave a reflective account of how JÁNUKA had evolved during the past 6 years. She recalled the impact, both professional and personal, of their hallmark performance at Kings College London in 2007 to mark the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Act. (Read on web site under “Tributes”)
(7) Introducing the JÁNUKA Logo and Web site
A pivotal point in the evening was when Cliff Purchase – Master of Ceremony (MC) drew the audience’s attention to the JÁNUKA Logo and the artistic design made by Stuart Paterson from SP design.
He gave a brief account of the underpinning concept of the design, i.e. “Peeping through the key hole”, as did our slave ancestors in time past, looked and gleamed as their masters danced Ballroom Style quadrille.
Those keyhole viewings are essential to the Logo as they gave birth to quadrille dancing, as we know it.
He also explained that another powerful symbolism on the Logo is the “Doctor bird” – which is the National bird of Jamaica. This unique bird has many intriguing facets and mysticism that runs deep into the psychic of our Jamaican heritage, indicative of its colour, illusive behaviour, resilience, almost with the emblem of immortality
After this brief and illustrative account of the Logo, it was time for a “count-down” to the long awaited launch of the website. Imminently following the count-down, the launch was made and
JÁNUKA became “live and direct” on the World Wide Web!
This was the pinnacle moment of the evening and was followed with a Champagne celebration.
(8) A big thank you to JÁNUKA from Cliff Purchase (MC)
I am pleased to extend warmest thanks to all the JÁNUKA members for contributing and working tirelessly to make the launch of their website a wonderful, successful and momentous occasion. May you continue to promote the quadrille heritage through the beautiful and exciting display of your dance performances.
Nuf Luv to all of you.
Cliff
(9) Thank You to our Supporters - from Beverley Bogle – JÁNUKA Quadrille Group Coordinator
A big thank you, to all adults and children who have come to support us on this prestigious occasion, on the launch of our Website and Logo.
Thanks also to our friends who could not make it but sent their best wishes. As we mingled with the family and Friends of JÁNUKA, it was obvious to me that everyone was enjoying the evening as we celebrated our culture with Caribbean finger food, “back a yard food and drinks”, wine and entertainment.
I really felt proud of my Jamaican heritage and at times overwhelmed and humbled by the support and warmth radiating from our guests.
Our achievements would not have been possible without the loving support and sponsorship from you, the Friends of JÁNUKA who value what we do. We promise to keep quadrille dancing alive by entertaining, educating and inspiring individuals and communities. I hope you will continue to support us in 2013 and beyond.
Please remember to visit our JÁNUKA website regularly, as we intend to update it periodically, and post your comments. We would love to hear from you; we value your comments. If you would like to purchase one of our artistically designed JANUKAT-shirts with Logo, please contact me.
Finally, I wish to give a big thank you to Cliff, in his role as MC for the evening, our guest performers, you our wonderful guests, all those who helped us with catering and transportation, and last but not least, to all the JANUKA members who have worked tirelessly to make this evening an overwhelming success.
I love you all.
From: Beverley
(10) Some comments from supporters at our Web Launch
(Updated 2025)