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 Crucian culture is a rich Kallaloo stew of the old and the new, with elements of many countries blended into a wonderful whole. The primary ingredients are African traditions brought here during slavery with European-imposed adaptations. The Danes left behind their classic architecture and place names, and in the past century, people from Puerto Rico, many other Caribbean islands, and the US mainland have helped stir the pot:  Mocko Jumbies Mocko Jumbies: Everybody loves the masked stilt walkers in colorful costumes that parade through St. Croix streets during carnival or cavort at Jump Up street fairs. These tall symbols of sacred spirits that protected African villages from evil came here with slaves and are now a cultural art form taugh to school kids. You'll often find jumbies dancing at island festivals — when you do, notice that their costumes, with gloves, hats, and masks, reflect their origins—an African Mocko Jumbie never showed any part of the body.  Quadrille Dancers Quadrille: If you're in luck, the St. Croix Heritage Dancers will be performing a cotillion while you are here. They dance on holidays or at very special events, keeping the art form alive, and teach school kids how to follow callers. St. Croix's traditional "square dance" dates back to the early 1700s, was brought here during the height of its popularity in England, and was adapted as a plantation entertainment. The traditional costume calls for madras plaid shirts for men and skirts, white petticoats, and tied head scarves for women.  Steel Pan Music: Quelbe, also known as fungi or scratch, is our official music, dating back to times when African drums were banned, traditionally performed on gourds & combs, ukulele banjos, steel triangles, and homemade music-makers. After cars came along, tailpipes were added, and now a conga drum, electric keyboard, guitar, flute, saxophone and more are included. Other types of music you're likely to hear: calypso, with satirical lyrics, reggae that originated in Jamaica, mellow steel pans that spread from Trinidad after World War II, and cool Latin sounds added to the mix by our large Puerto Rican population.  St. Croix Church Churches: Religious tolerance and diversity has been part of St. Croix since Danish times. As early as the 18th century, congregations for most major faiths were established after Moravian missionaries arrived to minister to enslaved Africans. Attend services in one of the historic Moravian, Dutch Reformed, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran church buildings still remain.  Masquerade Masquerade: If you are on island for our Crucian Christmas Festival (St. Croix's carnival celebration), be sure to spend a day at the children's or adult's parade, where people dress in towering, elaborate costumes with sequins and feathers and tramp through the town. You'll see floats, walking troupes, and a combination of the two, "floupes." Story telling: Oral traditions go back centuries to Africa and were been passed on through the generations by parents, nannas, and market women who dispensed spells, potions, and charms along with superstitions, proverbs, and spooky tales of ghosts and jumbies. Now and then, you'll find an opportunity to hear these storytellers at events at Whim Museum, Lawaetz Museum, or Mount Victory Camp.  Craftsman Crafts: Basket weaving, glass-blowing, caning, mahogany furniture-making are traditional crafts making a come back, and handmade products are sometimes found in specialty shops. Island crafts people turn calabash gourds into bowls or purses, and coconuts into bird feeders you can buy. Look for their work from street vendors or at country fairs held at the Botanical Gardens, or Whim Plantation Museum.
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Proud member of the Caribbean Hotel Association. 
Activities