Gerry Cockrell during St. Thomas Carnival Parade, 2000.
ABOUT MOCKO
JUMBIE JAMBOREE
and director and founder, Gerry Cockrell
Mocko Jumbie Jamboree was started in 1992 by long time St. Thomas resident, Gerry Cockrell. Ms. Cockrell relocated to St. Thomas from Florida in 1978. She has made this her home and believes that the children and young people of today will be our leaders of tomorrow. The troupe participated in the St. Thomas carnival parade in 1992 with only five members and has grown each year. Some of the children in this award winning troupe started at the age of six and are now in high school, while others are now attending college. Many of the members of this award winning troupe have traveled to the many and varied places that you have seen here. Gerry Cockrell, the founder and director of Mocko Jumbie Jamboree has been dancing as a Mocko Jumbie since 1985 and teaching this cultural art since 1992. Ms. Cockrell has taught the cultural art of Mocko Jumbie to children at various schools on St. Thomas. She has taught at Antilles School, Montessori School and St. Peter and Paul Catholic School. This program was offered as an after school, extra curricular activity.
The cultural art of Mocko Jumbie began to decline due to it not being taught to the younger generation. After I started teaching in the schools, the cultural art of Mocko Jumbie is coming back with great popularity. By teaching the cultural art of Mocko Jumbie, I believe I am helping to insure that this cultural art form will never disappear from the Virgin Islands. Those individuals learning the cultural art of Mocko Jumbie get exposure and have experiences that help them have strong self esteem, discipline, and personal pride in themselves as they go through the life.
Be sure to check out Enchanting Designs~One of a kind designs, all designed and made by the multi-talented Gerry Cockrell.
Gerry Cockrell during St. Thomas Carnival Parade, 2000.
To contact us, send an email to:
mockojumbie@hotmail.com
{Enchanting Designs}
One of a Kind
Designs~Made in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands