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Lenoir Community College will be celebrating Black History Month with two programs on Feb. 19 in the Waller Auditorium. The public is invited.
At 11 a.m. Life Warriors, a step team, will be performing and at 6:45 p.m. dancers will be celebrating Jonkonnu, an African American Holiday Tradition.
There are many holidays that as Americans we celebrate. Back in the 1800s, African American slaves living in eastern North Carolina celebrated "Jonkonnu." This festive holiday event blended African and English traditions. Even after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in 1863, African Americans in eastern North Carolina continued the celebration of Jonkonnu for another 40 years.
A Jonkonnu celebration in the 1800s was lively and colorful. There were masked dancers in multicolored costumes and people playing instruments like drums and cowbells. The musicians and dancers formed a parade that went from house to house. Others followed the parade, clapping, dancing, and singing, to the music.
By the late 1800s, Jonkonnu celebrations became less frequent in many areas, but remained popular in some places until the turn of the century.
Come be a part of this celebration at LCC and experience a holiday tradition. |
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