The month of October is known for Heroes Day, a celebration of our National Heroes, who made phenomenal changes and contribution for the well being of this small nation.
The day arrived and passed without much celebration and national pride. I believe most was just looking forward to having the day off from the office rather than the significance of the day and the historical events surrounding our heroes.
Jamaica has many individuals who are heroes in their own right. There are those that have made landmarks and are world renown such as Robert “Bob” Nester Marley, Merlene Ottey, Usain Bolt and that is just to name a few.
Fastest man alive - Usain Bolt
The interesting thing is as I was grocery shopping in Montego Bay; I noticed a plethora of costume choices for Halloween.
On Wikipedia, Halloween is defined as an annual American holiday celebrated on October 31 which symbolize summer’s end and regarded as a festival of the dead originating from the Celtic festival of Samhain.
Certainly this is not Jamaican, we don’t celebrate festival of the dead, our custom being the opposite where anything regarding the dead is certainly not a celebration as everyone fears running into a “duppy” yet, there I stood in an entire section devoted to decorations, costumes and specially made candy for trick or treating.
To top it off, there are costume parties happening all around, some announcing special prizes for the best costume. It seems that with shrinking borders due to Globalization, Tourism and advanced technology that has expanded the media, cultures and customs are being shaped and influenced in every way by the USA.
This is known as Americanization and is a gradual process and doesn’t happen overnight.
Christopher Lee as Dracula
As I stood there observing customers who were excitedly narrowing down their choices as to what costume they will wear.
I realized how great the influence is. However, this is one Jamaican who refuses to participate. Call it patriotism, pragmatism or narrow minded, my refusal to accept a foreign tradition simply because it doesn’t hold any national or Jamaican significance is my choice.
For those who welcome the experience and the chance to play dress up to fulfill whatever fantasy they wish is welcome to do so. However, before you step out as Dracula, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, just remember to place the same emphasis on your own national traditions.
It is not a bad thing to explore other customs and traditions but do not forget your own as celebrating those with enthusiasm is what keeps these traditions alive to be passed down to the next generation.
These traditions are important as they are a definition of yourself and your history. I hope you agree with me…Do you?
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