Discover St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Nine Mornings

• By Michael Smart
• December 10, 2014
• No Comments

Different cultures around the world celebrate the approach of Christmas day in different ways, none more unique than the Nine Mornings festival on St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The festival is celebrated during the nine mornings from December 16th to December 24th, when Vincentians awake early each morning to kick off the festivities around 4:00 am. 2013 marked the 100th anniversary of celebrating Nine Mornings on St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

 
 
 
 

Excerp – Deadeye

The origin of ‘Nine Mornings’ is lost in obscurity. Some say it derived from the Catholic Church’s ‘novena’ tradition nine days before Christmas. Others say it has its roots in an African ritual brought to the Caribbean by slaves. Neither theory explains the celebration’s absence from other Caribbean islands. Nine Mornings unique to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s celebrations a particular point of pride for Vincentians.

My main concern as I entered the station, a concern shared by Station Sergeant Lucenti, the festival’s impact on our meager resources. Bequia already besieged by tourists. Absenteeism, sick calls, and sleeping on the job Lucenti’s primary worry as the days wore on toward Christmas. Especially among younger constables, who tended to celebrate through the night and into the next day in a practice known as ‘round de clock’.

  “I’ve got nothing further to go on. I’m going to review everything we have, make sure I’ve dotted all the ‘I’s and crossed all the ‘T’s, and prepare my report for the coroner’s inquest.”
  “When will that be?”
  “Probably not until after the new year. Things pretty much close down around here from now through the holidays.”
  “Have anything to do with the racket got me out of bed so early this morning? Must have started around four am.”
 
  “Get used to it,” I smiled at him. “It’s called Nine Mornings. A uniquely Vincentian celebration occurring every morning, starting around four am, from now until Christmas day.”
  “For real? When do you people do any work?”
  “It usually breaks up around seven each morning so people can get to work. Although some people party all day and night. Like I said, everything pretty much slows down if not stops altogether between now and the New Year. People wake up before dawn and take to the streets. Some dressed in Christmas costumes. Some attend church services, some head for the beach. There’s music and dancing. Performances by drama groups, dance groups, steel bands, even the Police band. There’re games and competitions. A particular village may have a special traditional thing of their own they do. Then on Christmas Eve morning there’s a huge steel band ‘jump up’. What you’d call a street party. Kinda wonderful really. Creates a festive spirit leading up to Christmas day. Think you might stick around?” I asked.

 
 
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