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Moko jumbie

Pronounced /MOH-koh JUM-bee/nounCarnival

Meaning

A stilt-walking masquerade character towering over the crowd on stilts that can be 10 to 15 feet tall, in bright costumes with long pants or skirts. Seen as a protector who could spot danger from on high, the moko jumbie has West African roots. Once thought to be dying out, it has been revived by community groups training young stilt-walkers, some of them since the 1980s.

Look up! The moko jumbie dancing on stilts higher than the balcony.

In plain English: Look up! The stilt walker is dancing higher than the balcony.

Where it comes from

The National Carnival Commission explains 'moko' as a West African orisha (god) of retribution, with 'jumbie' (spirit) added after slavery.

Used in

Sources

  1. National Carnival Commission: Traditional mas characters, Moko Jumbie
  2. Caribbean Beat: Walk tall, moko jumbie

Last verified 3 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Send a correction.