Monday July 31, 2006 Seville Heritage Park St. Ann, Jamaica A Jamaica National Heritage Trust Event

EVENT OVERVIEW

The pulsating sounds of African drumming, the ritualistic chants of a Kumina session, bodies swaying in the cool St. Ann night air and the wonderful smells of freshly brewed coffee and Jamaican chocolate filling the air are just some of the features of the annual Emancipation Jubilee celebrations at the historic Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann.

Initially established in 1997 as a commemorative Emancipation event for the parish of St Ann, the event has grown significantly and each year focuses national and media attention on our African ancestry and culture.

This year, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Emancipation Jubilee on the night of July 31, 2006. The event commemorates the emancipation of our African ancestors from slavery and focuses attention on all aspects of their lives through song, dance, drama, food, drumming and other exciting activities

The Seville Emancipation Jubilee is far more than an entertaining production. It is packed with live experiences that will appeal to all senses: food, education, fashions, performing arts etc. Through this celebration, we will focus national and international attention on our African past, our ancestors who have become symbols of strength and perseverance.

Emancipation Jubilee began in 1997 when the remains of four African ancestors retrieved from a burial site on the Seville property and carefully studied at Syracuse University, were symbolically reburied at the front of the property. Thousands of Jamaicans and foreigners witnessed the ceremony which began on the night of July 31 into the morning of August 1. Since that time, the JNHT has commemorated the anniversary each year with a cultural showcase that celebrates the African ancestors.

This year through the annual celebration we aim to increase our understanding and acceptance of the many fascinating things about our Jamaican heritage. We have also invited some of our Caribbean neighbours to join us in the celebration, hence our them ‘Drums Across The Caribbean’. We will have a cultural group from Guadeloupe courtesy of the French Embassy.

Emancipation Jubilee is geared at motivating Jamaicans to understand and accept the struggles of their ancestors, towards the abolition of slavery, showing the positive aspects of this part of our history. It is anticipated that the celebration will educate Jamaicans and visitors alike about the African culture that and its retentions within the Caribbean.
In addition, we would like to motivate adults and children to develop an interest in the preservation, protection and continuation of our cultural heritage.

Symposium
On Sunday, July 30, 2006 there will be a symposium on Sounds of Freedom at the St. Ann Parish Library in St. Ann’s Bay. The symposium will focus on the ancestors, how they lived and coped with their struggles, and the road to freedom. There will be presentations from noted Jamaican historians and musicologists and will be chaired by Professor Verene Shepherd, chair of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. The event will begin at 3:00 pm with music from the Jamaica Regiment Band and a cultural group from Guadeloupe.

EMANCIPATION JUBILEE FORMAT
As persons approach the Seville Heritage Park, scores of torches will line the main road and road way leading up to the Great House and the powerful sounds of drums beating. The landscaped grounds of Seville Heritage Park will feature a main stage area for the performances, and a range of over 40 exhibitors distributed around the expansive grounds, in the garden setting with the Caribbean Sea as the back drop. There will be vendors selling traditional Jamaican foods. There will be craft items, exhibitions as well as displays from our sponsors.

All this is happening with the pulsating sound of drumming in the background.

In the true spirit of African cultural hospitality, we will again this year, offer traditional “chawklit Tea” (chocolate) with coconut milk, complimentary to all attendees at the Seville Emancipation Jubilee.

At precisely midnight, the re-enactment of the proclamation of the emancipation will be done by a professional group. This heralds the continued celebration with a wide variety of cultural groups including drumming, traditional dances, major cultural performers that will also appeal to our youths and broaden the appeal to the wide audience in attendance.

The line-up of performers for the show includes groups such as the acclaimed Carifolk Singers, Stella Maris Dance Ensemble, Kingston Drummers, St. Ann Seniors, Port Morant Kumina, Manchioneal Cultural Group. After midnight, the show will try to have a party atmosphere as midnight signifies the time of Emancipation. There will be performances from Fab 5, one of the island’s top band, Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica, Derrick Morgan, TOISIS, George Nooks among other outstanding talents. At the back of the great house the Port Morant Kumina Group will continue their ritualistic drumming and ceremonies.