‘Every Child Rises Early on Christmas Morning to See the Johnkannaus’ [Harriet Jacobs]: The Competing Meanings of Christmas for the Enslaved in North Carolina

Drawing on archival material from slaveholding families in North Carolina and the narratives of formerly enslaved State, John Kooner parades other Christmas festivities are employed this article as a lens to consider what meanings might have held for some members within State. Such celebrations were arguably used by enslavers demonstrate their good will benevolence allowing engage carnivalesque behaviour–costuming, dancing, drinking, feasting–for brief period time over festive season. activity allowed state temporarily upend social racial hierarchies antebellum south, locating themselves physical psychical spaces they usually not permitted access to. Others however enjoy at all. The analysis therefore explore varying experiences wider we draw this. concludes reflecting how respite was brought an abrupt end New Year’s Day, often date set hiring selling enslaved. It repercussions these moments departure family fragmentation, especially wake Christmastide celebrations.