"Jonkonnu, traditionally celebrated between Christmas and New Year's Day, began during times of slavery and continued in eastern North Carolina until the late 1800s. It was a chance for slaves to honor their ancestors, preserve their heritage and celebrate with drumming and dance, two activities that were normally forbidden. . . . Some participants were dressed in traditional African garb, others in Civil War-era clothing. Two 'ragmen' wearing horned headdresses and clothes covered with colorful strips of fabric that symbolized ancestors, carried traditional square 'gumba box' drums." Charles Kellner, Star-News, 12/28/2008
