Meaning
A traditional Jamaican dance and celebration, most famous as the 'Bruckins Party' held to mark Emancipation. Rival 'sets' dressed in red and blue, each led by a king and a queen in fine costume, perform a stately, dignified dance that blends the courtly movement of Europe with African style and rhythm. A treasured heritage tradition, strongest in Portland, bruckins keeps alive the memory and the mixed cultural roots of the Emancipation era, and it is performed today at festivals as a proud link to that history.
Examples
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Di Bruckins party keep every Emancipation.
The Bruckins party is held every Emancipation.
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Di red set an di blue set a compete inna di Bruckins.
The red set and the blue set compete in the Bruckins.
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Portland famous fi Bruckins.
Portland is famous for Bruckins.
Origin
From English 'breaking', describing the dipping, gliding step of the dance; the tradition took shape in eastern Jamaica after Emancipation in 1838.
How it’s used
A cherished heritage performance, strongest in the parish of Portland, tied to the celebration of freedom from slavery.