Moko Jumbies

The moko jumbie comes from West Africa, where the moko was a protective spirit and the height of the stilts let him see trouble before anyone else; jumbie is the Caribbean word for a spirit. The tradition crossed with enslaved people and survived, and in the Virgin Islands it is the signature figure of every parade: dancers on stilts two or three metres tall in ruffled costume and masks, moving with a fluency that takes years. Training schools on St Croix teach children from a young age and have kept the practice alive and growing rather than fading. Performances also appear at festivals, weddings and community events.

What you actually see

• The stilt dancing - two to three metres up, moving fluently.
• The costumes - ruffled, masked and made within the tradition.
• The training schools - children learning on St Croix.
• Carnival parades - where they lead the procession.

When to go

The three territorial carnivals are the reliable times: St Thomas in late April and May, St John around early July, and St Croix from December into January. Cultural events and school showcases run through the year.

Honest expectations

There is no venue where you can simply buy a ticket; seeing moko jumbies means catching a parade or a community event. Hotel performances exist but are brief set pieces. The tradition is culturally significant rather than a novelty, and dancers should be asked before being photographed close up.

Nearby

Carnival routes in Charlotte Amalie, Cruz Bay and Frederiksted.