‘Ring Play’ injects life into Crofts Hill ‘dead yards’

Death doesn’t only bring tears in the northeast Clarendon community of Crofts Hill.

Its finality also sparks oxymoronic laughter, vibrancy, and relief in a popular traditional dance called Ring Play.

Led by Robert Walters, Ring Play comprises 100 participants or more who form a ring, with the main dancer in the circle, chanting songs as swivelling hips and nimble feet move in harmony.

Citing that the ritual has been practised in Crofts Hill for more than 200 years and transmitted throughout generations, Walters said he was trained in the art form by a now-deceased cultural curator named Granville.

The catchy songs and hypnotic dancing are reputed to have the power of defusing conflicts and inspiring unity.

“Him (Granville) say when you go and even if people a cuss, don’t say anything, just play you Ring Play like me,” Walters said in a Gleaner interview as he danced to the folk song Hold Him Joe.

For Walters, who hails from Burn district in Kellits, Ring Play isn’t only a means of relieving stress, but a genuine source of entertainment at dead yards - the Jamaican vernacular for homes of the deceased.

Romeo Rowe, founder of community empowerment organisation One Connection, said he is in awe of the song-and-dance convention.

Commenting on the importance of Ring Play to community life, Walters said people rejoice when they hear ‘Mr Speaker’, his nickname.

“No Stone Love no turn on. Mi mash it, man,” the 53-year-old said, referencing the famed Jamaican sound system.

Walters said that his sons have maintained the tradition and are eager to accompany him to the homes of mourners.

“My boy dem love it bad. Dem want to come with mi, and mi say, ‘Unnu can’t come tonight, you know, ‘cause unnu have school,’” he said.

But at their insistence, he usually strikes a compromise but warns them to go home early.

Two Saturdays ago, Walters was awarded by One Connection group in a ceremony at the Crofts Hill Baptist Church.

Walters doesn’t charge a fee for leading Ring Play routines and is instrumental in assisting residents pained by a family death.

“From mi know miself and have sense, there is no dead yard where Mr Speaker don’t turn up. If the place inna bush, you know say him a come and him get him cutlass, clean up the place, get the grave ready,” said Rowe.

“... In the night, he is there for Ring Play.”

Rowe is urging other communities across the island to embrace the fun Ring Play tradition to ease the gloom surrounding death.

He said that he was moved to honour Walters because many community heroes go unheralded.

“Nobody notice them, but you move on the ground and you will understand what’s going on. Most people cannot relate to what we are saying now because they don’t move around dead yard,” the One Connection founder said.

Vivian Crawford, director of the Institute of Jamaica, said that music and singing continue to be an important custom in consoling the grieving.

“People did not move around as frequently as we do today. Because people did not move around, customs remained in the district, and every district was different. So Crofts Hill might be the only place in Jamaica where that occurs. Every place has a different custom,” Crawford told The Gleaner.

Cultural expert and consultant Sydney Bartley said that the adult-focused Ring Play appears to be distinct from the ring games in which children participate.

He said that it is common for participants to perform Afro-centric rituals and dances at funerals and nine-nights.

“Ring Play is probably in every parish, but it would not be so named. Dinki Mini and Gerreh would be used in set-up, but I have never heard the word ‘Ring Play’,” said Bartley.

“Apparently the Ring Play is where these dances would be used but may not be so called because apparently the name has died out a bit,” he added.

cecelia.livingston@gleanerjm.com