Moko Jumbie

The Moko Jumbie is a stilt dancer that is known throughout the West Indies as a feature of John Canoe and other Christmas and Carnival fetes.

These characters make long strides and are balanced on stilts that can be from ten to fifteen feet in height.In the past the Moko Jumbie was sometimes accompanied by a dwarf in similar costume but without stilts, to accentuate Moko's height.He danced all day through the streets, collecting money on a plate from the people crowded on the second-floor windows and balconies. Often the stilts are painted in stripes or decorated with coloured fabric. The Moko Jumbie is usually dressed in brightly coloured costume that consists of long pants or skirts and a simple shirt. The Moko Jumbie may also wear a hat.