Willard John
“Being a Taproot artist will provide significant resources and publicity that focuses on my goal of promoting, educating and preserving the art of Moko Jumbie.”
Willard John
GOC Youth performance. Photo by Wendy Wynter.
Photo by Charlita Schjang.
Willard John and the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbie Academy. Photo by Misty Winter.
Street performance, St. Croix. Photo by Willard John.
Parade St. Croix Festival. Photo courtesy Willard John.
Photo by Aujoli Images.
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Teaching & training to assure the continuation of Moko Jumbie
Willard S. John, was raised in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. After returning from college he decided to learn the traditional art-form of Moko Jumbie stilt dancing. His cousin John McCleverty provided stilts, taught and encouraged him to perform on stilts. Willard made his debut in the St. Thomas carnival parade in 1975.
In 1979 Willard decided to move to the sister island of St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands, where there were no active Moko Jumbies at that time. After performing on a regular bases in several venues for a few years he made the decision to teach others to assure the tradition of Moko Jumbies continue. During the 1980’s he taught several groups of children in schools and non-profit organizations. In 1993 Willard established the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbie academy that operated out of a public elementary school. Youngsters both male and female were taught the skill and history of Moko Jumbie stilt dancing. Though the years approximately 400 youth received instruction at the Guardians of Culture Academy.
Currently, Mr. John’s efforts are focused on providing history and skill instruction on silt dancing to the youth of St. Croix as well as training teachers to assure the continuation of this important tradition. He produced a video entitled “Mokolution, the evolution of the Moko Jumbie” which chronicles the development of stilt dancing from Africa to and through the Caribbean. Mr. John coordinates performances in various venues on St. Croix in an effort to educate, promote, and preserve the art of Moko Jumbie.
What does being a Taproot Fellow mean to you in your practice and community?
Being a Taproot artist will provide significant resources and publicity that focuses on my goal of promoting, educating and preserving the art of Moko Jumbie. The Guardians Of Culture Moko Jumbies are headquartered on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. With additional resources, we will have the opportunity to travel to our sister islands of St Thomas, St. John, and the British Virgin Islands to provide workshops and edutainment (Mokolution), which is a narrated live performance that chronicles the history of Moko Jumbies from Africa to the Caribbean. These performances captivates the audience with skilled stilt dancers while providing the opportunity to educate the audience on its history.
“With additional resources, we will travel to our sister islands of St. Thomas, St. John, & the British Virgin Islands to provide workshops and edutainment that chronicle the history of Moko Jumbies from Africa to the Caribbean.”
Willard John
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