“A Ritual is Born” (1984)

The following article by Helen Hummel appeared in JP ARTS NEWS following the First Jamaica Pond Lantern Parade in 1984.

Lantern making workshop at the JP Boathouse,

October 1984

A RITUAL IS BORN

Helen Hummel, JP Arts News, November 1984

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, October 27 & 28 over 100 children and adults made paper “lampoons” at the Jamaica Pond Boathouse. These colorful lantern with painted, stamped, leaf-printed and inked designs were made for the Lantern Parade Around the Pond at sunset, November 3rd

These workshops and the parade were organized by Femke Rosenbaum, parent, educator and community leader and by Amika (B. Ernst-DiGennaro) in cooperation with the Jamaica Pond Project. Other Arts Council members helped, and many people contributed twenty-five cents for material costs.

Can you spot any of the Founders in these pictures?

And then, at sunset as planned, people began to gather. As twilight grew, so did the crowd until it numbered in the hundreds. Many people brought lanterns they had made. Some had “real” lanterns as the kids called them, the kind with glass, some were from Switzerland where lantern parades are a familiar ritual. All the lanterns were aglow, reflecting on the smiling, friendly faces of their carriers. People brought musical instruments, tambourines, bells. Femke strung more lanterns on the gazebo and suddenly it took on the aspect of a Japanese teahouse.

As people began the journey around the pond, the last light lingered in the sky. Soon it was completely dark and a backward or forward look revealed many bobbing orbs in both directions. Around the curve and they were reflected in the calm water. The moon rose in harmony with the revelers, just past half full.

The cold, crisp air may have hurried a few, but most seemed content to stroll along, greeting old friends as their faces came glowing out of the darkness. Or making new acquaintences as lost gloves were looked for or doused candles were relit.

But there were more treats in store. At the end of the circuit was Thomas and Rosana Workman with their apple press and a truckload of apples making remarkable fresh-pressed cider.

Truly an outstanding experience, all the better for having been shared by so many.

Thus a ritual is born.