Despite the wind and driving rain, Jonkunoo dancer Annet Richards-Binns from Gloucester, dressed as ‘Pitchy Patchy’ in colourful cloth and rags celebrated the moment of winter solstice at 9.19am on Selsley Common, near the ancient Toots Long Barrow, writes Simon Pizzey.
Jonkunoo (or John Canoe) is a cultural tradition dating back to the 1700s, rooted in West African heritage brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans now celebrated in Jamaica, The Bahamas and other Caribbean islands, often at Christmas time.
Hours of daylight will now start to get longer as the New Year fast approaches.
Annet said: “The Jonkunoo dance, traditionally performed at Christmas, like solstice represents a new cycle of hope, resistance and liberation.”
Annet is a dance and carnival artist as well as a yoga and FitSteps teacher based in Gloucester.
Pictures by Simon Pizzey
