The Emancipation Day Coalition held the annual Emancipation Day celebration Thursday at the Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas. Though rain showers delayed the start, organizers and attendees enjoyed a full day of live music, informative remarks, poetry, songs, Bamboula dancers and drummers, and a brief visit with a moko jumbie who interacted with the crowd.
Every year for the past few decades, members of the coalition have organized the event for July 3. Made up of retired educators and culture bearers, they take on the task of making contact to secure the event location and put together a full program, along with inviting vendors. This year’s theme was “Physical Emancipation 1848, Cultural Unity, Self-Determination and Mental Emancipation in 2025.”
After the rain, a libation ceremony was offered in the Yoruba tradition by Mtume Wa Mungu (Malachi Kehinde Thomas) with the ringing of the bell by Alcedo “Justin” Francis. The Junior All Stars Steelband performed a wide repertoire for about 45 minutes, and some members of the audience participated in Bamboula dancing, singing and drumming led by Leniese Mercer and Douglas Shanti McKay.
The Voices of Love community choir, led by Glen Kwabena Davis, sang a few songs, and the Nyabinghi Order of Rastafari drummers closed the program with ises (prayers and chanting).
The open mic segment included brief messages from members of the audience, poetry and songs from Ras Amaha, Shaquille Springer, and others, including Ambassadah 7, who performed his latest song about Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso. Conscious music was played in between segments by Ras Rebel as attendees made purchases and interacted with other community members.
“All of the presentations were good, the conversations were nice, and I was happy to see so many different vendors, especially the farmers with produce and fruits,” said Wallace Francis. “We do need more young people working with us though to come in, join with us, and give us evaluations.”
According to coalition member Leba OlaNiyi, there were more vendors this year than he’s ever seen before, including ital soups, fresh cut coconut water and local drinks, arts and crafts, including face painting, and farmers with fruit and produce.
A special presentation of gifts was made by Lindiwe Sewer Francis and Hectito Alemu Francis. “We traveled to Africa three times within the past eight months with the intent to establish ties through which the Caribbean and Africa can move forward together. On their most recent trip, they visited with royal families, spiritual leaders and councils of several communities and were tasked with the responsibility of giving special items to some well-deserving like-minded individuals,” said Lindiwe Francis.
The selected four Pan Africanists, who they said had been unwavering in their work within the community for decades and who collaborated with their organization, Ascension Livity, Inc., since it began. The four were Leba OlaNiyi of the Pan African Support Group, Alcedo Justin Francis and Anna Djabana Wallace-Francis of Camp Umoja, the Environmental Rangers and the Pan African Support Group, and Mama Benita Martin of We Grow Food, Inc.
“I think it is very important that we continue to have Emancipation Day. Though we broke the chains, revolted, and had our physical awakening, mentally I feel we are still being chained to what society thinks is important for us. I pray that as an elder I am able to share and awaken at least one youth in looking at the importance of not forgetting,” said Benita Martin.
“Part of the limited youth presence is our responsibility. We need to go to schools or organizations and let them develop the theme. Let them have ownership. Until they feel ownership, it will continue to feel like it is an adult event, even if you give the school credit or a grade. Getting the youth involved as influencers can help by their using social media to share information about their culture and various events,” Martin said.
Organizers and attendees spoke about preparing for the next organized cultural events, which would include activities for Marcus Garvey Day in August, the Dollar fo’ Dollar Culture and History Tour in September, the annual Fortsberg 1733 Revolution event on St. John in November and Kwanzaa events in December. In between all of the major events, the cultural community sees each other at bimonthly farmers markets at the Bordeaux Farmers’ Market.
“We still have to plant the seeds to encourage the public to value this day. Most of the people who attended are people who support and value their tradition. We have to help the rest of our people value these traditions whether it is 1733 or African Liberation Day these are ours to celebrate, observe and reflect. We want to emphasize that the powers that be make sure we place African Caribbean and Virgin Islands history in schools. Once that is done and they understand their history and culture, we will see more young people interested in and attending these events,” Leba Ola Niyi said.
St. Croix Source
Local news
