DATE

EVENT

RATIONALE

VENUE

CONTACT

2nd  January

Cultural Rally in Emancipation Park

Organized for Haiti’s ancestors’ Day in recognition of Haiti’s role in the struggle against the TTA.

Emancipation Park, Kingston

JNBC & Haiti-Jamaica Society (970-4441)

6th January

Accompong  Maroons  Treaty Day (Cultural Exposé)

To recognise the early struggle for liberation & identity. To heal the divide caused by the contentious history of the Maroons.

Accompong, St. Elizabeth

Colonel Peddie, Accompong Maroons

1st -8th February

Bob Marley Earth day Celebrations

 To celebrate the life and work of the musical legend

All-island

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission -
926-5726-9

6th February

Public Lecture by George Elliot Clarke

To recognise the historical factors that led to the emergence of a Jamaican and Canadian Black literary tradition

Emancipation Park, Kingston

Institute of Jamaica- 922-0620

7th February

Showing of Film ‘Sankofa’

To celebrate, on his Earth Day, Bob Marley’ s message of hope and mental liberation

Bob Marley Museum

JNBC & Bob Marley Foundation

15th February

Black History Month Lecture  by Anne Bailey

To explore the voices of the TTA

Courtleigh Auditorium

Contact Ian Randle at 978-0745

18th  February

Fi Wi Sinting

To showcase the culture of the African ancestors; to foster public education about the TTA

Nature’s Way, Portland

Sister ‘P’ (Pauline Petinaud)

19th February

Lecture on the Maroons

To continue the debate on the role of the Maroons in Jamaican freedom

UTECH - Sculpture Pk

ACRM – Orrett Brown, UTECH

28th February5:30pm

Public Lecture on Garveyism by Dr. Herbie Miller

To celebrate the journey to the rise of Black intellectuals in Jamaica & the diaspora

Liberty Hall – the legacy of Marcus Garvey

Liberty Hall –948-8639/40
JNBC Secretariat – 970-4441

28th February

Lecture on Reparation

To broaden the discussion on Jamaica’s claim

UTECH –Sculpture PK

ACRM, UTECH

28th February

Deadline for entries in the JCDC Festival for the Arts

All annual competitions will include special categories and awards for the creation of cultural items that relate to the bicentenary

All island

JCDC - 926 5726-9

28th February

From cane field to Great House

Black History Month Lecture by Raymond Treasure

St. Ann Parish Library

Marjorie Rutherford

2nd March

Sankofa III – Panel Discussion

To explore the history of the TTA and the campaign for its abolition

Institute of Jamaica

Liberty Hall & IOJ - 948-8639/40

5th to 10th March

Exhibition on Cricket World Cup

To showcase the contributions of black people to the dev. of cricket

Westmoreland Parish Library

Cecil Graham

6th March

Celebrating Ghana’s 50th independence

To recognise diaspora links and show solidarity

UTECH

African Cultural Renaissance Movement, UTECH

8th March

International Women’s Day Exhibition

To celebrate the women ancestors

St. Catherine Parish Library

St. Catherine Parish Library

10th March

Panel discussion  “The Contributions of the  Descendants of Enslaved Africans to the Development of Cricket”

To recognize the role of the descendants of enslaved Africans in the dev. of  cricket.

Parish Council Hall, Falmouth, Trelawny

JNBC, the Trelawny Parish Council & the Home-Coming Committee– 970-4441; 978-0745

14th March

Launch of Lucille Mair’s book , A Historical Study of Women in Jamaica

To honour anti-TTA heroines and feminists

UWI, Mona (Guest speaker, Amb. Gail Mathurin

The Press, UWI – 927-1660-9

15th March

Panel Discussion on women and the abolition of the TTA

To recognise the female freedom fighters

Portland Parish Library- 3pm

Lorraine McLean\Portland Parish Library

14th-18th March

Local Confederation Exhibition Football Tournament

To celebrate our sports heroes &  emphasize the role of play in the lives of our ancestors

TBA

JFF & JNBC 970-4441

16th March

Film Festival & public lecture on reparation

To continue public education on the TTA

New Kingston

SDC, JNBC & Cricket World Cup, Local office

19th – 24th March

Parish wakes ahead of the March 25th Funeral  Rites

Traditional practice leading up to the Funeral Rites

Parish venues TBA

Parish JCDC offices; Director of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Ent. & Culture

25th March

Commemorative events by Churches & other groups & agencies

To recognize the role of spirituality in the lives of our ancestors, who always used religion to get them through their difficulties; who always celebrated momentous events by worshipping & showcasing the Creole and African cultures

Island-wide

The Jamaica Baptist Union & all religious denominations and spiritual groups

25th March

 All island Funeral Rites for the Ancestors (also launch of Freedom Delayed & “Jamaica’s Reparation Claim

To give the ancestors a proper burial. To keep in the public eye the real history of the African holocaust – even as the UK celebrates  Wilberforce and the parliamentary campaign

Kingston Harbour & Parish venues

JNHT, JCDC, & MTEC

26th March

“Freedom Delayed & Jamaica’s Reparation Claim”: Role of the Church

To explore the meaning of 1807

Philippo Baptist Church, Spanish Town

St. Catherine Parish Library

26th March

Special event as suggested by the UN

To recognize the bicentennial of the Act as stipulated by the UN

Jamaican Parliament

Ministry of Tourism, Ent & Culture; OPM

27th March

Lecture by Rupert Lewis

Official launch of Jamaica Library Service bicentennial activities

St. Andrew Parish Library

Janet Cousins, Toni Ann Fraser

1st April

Forum on plantation life on the Kensington estate

To recall the experiences of the freedom fighters of St. James

Springfield Branch, St. James Parish Library

Marilee Moodie

6th April

Public Lecture On “Coral Gardens and the Rastafarians in Jamaica”

To remember Coral Gardens & the persecution of Rastafarians. To put the spotlight on cont'd forms of discrimination

St. James & Kingston

Education sub-committee of JNBC & communities in St James

8th  April

Tacky Day lecture

To recognize Tacky’s war as part of the anti-TTA movement

Claude Stewart Park, St. Mary

St Mary Parish Library/ Parish Council/JNBC

9th April
Easter Monday

Special presentation by the NDTC to showcase the  artistic talents of the Africans

Easter was one of those times used by the enslaved to start wars of resistance

Little Theatre

NDTC

11th April

Cultural Extravaganza

To showcase the cultural legacies of the Middle Passage

University of Technology Sculpture Park

Pat Ramsay, UTECH (977-1626)
Contact: Monica Lawrence Tel: 819-1019       

14th April

Unveiling of Freedom Monument in St. James

To recognize the anniversary of Sam Sharpe’s Trial

The Old Market, MoBay

JNHT/JNBC

26th April

Panel discussion on the TTA for CXC students

To contribute to public education about the TTA

St. Catherine Parish Library

St. Catherine Parish Library

26th April

Panel discussion

To examine the role of spirituality in the lives of the ancestors

St. Thomas Parish Library

Maureen Thompson

1st May

Screening of Amistad

To explore the role of Africans in ending the TTA

St. Mary Parish Library

Nicole Grant

1st May

Unveiling of Westmoreland’s War Memorial

To honour the parish’s freedom fighters

Savanna-la-mar

JNBC, JNHT & Westmoreland Parish Council

1st May

Opening of Bicentennial Exhibition on the TTA

To further public education on the TTA

Multifunctional Room,
Main Library, UWI

Main Library, UWI (sponsored by the JNBC)

4th May

Taino Day

Marks loss of freedom, start of genocide and Black slavery; but also of resistance by the indigenous peoples

Seville Heritage Park

JNHT & JNBC

6th –12th May

.Bicentennial Conference of the Association of Caribbean Historians

To engage in public debates on the TTA and Caribbean history in general

Jamaica Conference Centre

ACH & Dept of History, UWI, Mona- 927-1922

11th May

Exhibition

To explore the role of the abolitionists

Kingston ¬ St. Andrew Parish Library

Janet Cousins, Toni Ann Fraser

20th May

Drumming Festival

To celebrate the drum as an important instrument in the lives of our ancestors

Devon House, Kingston

Andrea Richards: 929-6602; 926-0815

23rd May

National Labour Day

To protect, preserve and honour ancestral sites , especially sites associated with the TTA, slavery and Marcus Garvey

Island-wide

MTEC & GOJ

23rd May

Labour Day Concert

Major public concert at the venue of the National Labour Day project

TBA

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

25th May

Panel Discussion on Garveyism and the state of the Pan-African Movement

To mark African Liberation Day

TBA

Marcus Garvey Movement & the JNBC

May \June

African Eye

Visual Arts competition

Trelawny Parish and Branch libraries

Keisha Richards

23rd June

Quao Day

To continue the dialogue on Maroon heritage

Charles Town

Col. Frank Lumsden/Charles Town Maroons

23rd – 27th July

International Association of Caribbean Archaeologists Conference

To exchange ideas on the archaeology of the Caribbean, including Taino and African archaeology

Kingston

JNHT

23rd – 28th July

Best of Festival Concert Series

Full week concert series showcasing a selection of gold medalist from the Performing Arts Competition. Structured as Best of Dance Festival, Best of Drama Festival etc

Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Kingston

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

29th  July

Churches’ Emancipation  Lectures

To recognize that the abolition of the TTA was not enough; the fight for ‘full free’ had to proceed

Island-wide in Baptist Churches

Churches’ Emancipation Committee & JBNC through education sub-committee

31st July

Emancipation Vigils

Candle light civic ceremonies to recognise those who carried on the fight for ‘full free’

Across the island

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

31st July

Emancipation Jubilee;

Our ancestors made no distinction between the struggle to end the TST & slavery; to commemorate the activities of our ancestors the day before ‘full free’

Seville & Island-wide

JNHT; JCDC

1st August

Launch of Bicentennial stamp

To mark an important anniversary in the history of the Nation

Central Sorting Office

JNBC & the CSO

1st August

Augus’ Fair & Jamaica Night

Augus Fair is a family event showcasing traditional activities of Emancipation day. Traditional dances, practices, demonstrations etc
Jamaica Night concert following Augus Fair showcases contemporary artistes

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

1st – 6th August

Emancipation Day and 45th anniversary of Independence celebrations

To establish the link between the abolition of the TTA, slavery and the emergence of an independent Jamaica identity

Island wide

GOJ, JNBC & all cultural agencies

2nd August

Mello Go Roun’

Premier family variety concert. This year’s theme will reference the Bicentenary freedom journey.

Ranny Williams Centre, Kingston

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

4th- 6th August

Denbigh Agricultural Show

To showcase our local products and highlight the struggle of Jamaican farmers in the fight for freedom

Denbigh Show ground, May Pen, Clarendon

Jamaica Agricultural Society

6th August

45th Independence Celebrations

Grand Gala to celebrate this milestone in our freedom journey

Kingston

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

10th August

Panel Discussion: «Slavery & Emancipation»

To explore the links between 1807 and 1838

St. Catherine Parish Library

St. Catherine Parish Library

17th August

Rt. Ex. Marcus Garvey Floral Tribute. Civic Ceremony and other events

To stress the link between slavery and the emergence of a black intellectual tradition

National Heroes’ Park, Kingston

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

19th August

Marcus Garvey Awards for Excellence in the Performing Arts

To honour a Black intellectual who helped in the mental freedom journey

TBA

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

23rd August

Opening of IOJ and other  exhibitions on the TTA and modern day slavery

Day declared by UNESCO to remember the victims of the TTA

IOJ & regional venues

IOJ + JNBC’s Monuments & Exhibitions sub-committee

18th September

Public Discussion: The link between the abolition of the TTA and the emergence of an independent Jamaican identity

To link past and present

St. Thomas Parish Library

Maureen Thompson

22nd September

Launch  of book on 600 year old Maroon Trail (Cunha Cunha Pass) and Public Lecture

Linking the history of the trails to their roles in the abolition of slavery.

UWI

JNBC, St. Thomas Heritage Development Committee and Bowden Pen Farmers Association

9th October

Heritage Day Panel Discussion on From Slavery to Freedom: Reflecting on the Journey

Heritage Week activity

Kingston-St. Andrew Parish Library

Carol Plummer

10th October

A Taste of Africa Culture Yaad

Heritagefest

St. Catherine Parish Library

Lorraine McLean

13th – 14th October

March from Stony Gut & other commemorative events in St. Thomas

To remember the victims of the Morant Bay Rebellion who continued the fight against the mentalities of slavery

Morant Bay, Stony Gut, Spring Garden

JNBC,  JNHT & The Paul Bogle Foundation

13th-19th  October

National Heroes’ Week  Tributes & Islandwide

To remember our ancestors, many of whom struggled to end slavery and colonialism

National Heroes Park and parish venues

JNBC/JNHT/Parish Councils/GOJ

15th October

National Heroes Day Salute

Civic ceremony

National Heroes’ Park and other venues

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

15th October

Heritage Fest

Full day of activities celebrating the motto of our heritage “Out of Many, One People”

TBA

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

24th October

Moot: Abolition of physical slavery was the beginning of mental slavery

Public Speaking Competition

St. Ann Parish Library

Marjorie Rutherford

November

Exhibition: Black Scientists and Inventors

To mark National Science and Technology Month

Trelawny Parish and all Branch libraries

Keisha Richards

5th –8th December

Conference on “Discourses of Resistance: culture, identity, freedom & reconciliation

To illuminate the varied discourses of resistance, marroonage & ideologies of Black liberation as espoused by 19th century activists;  to seek reconciliation among people of different ethnicities & ideologies

Mobay &  and Accompong

JNBC & SOCARE

8th December

Children’s Jonkunnu Costume Parade & Jamaica Jonkunnu

Costume competition for children in the various Jonkunnu characters, followed by night street parade of adult Jonkunnu bands.

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-926-5726-9

26/27th December

Wreath-laying ceremonies at Freedom Monuments

To mark anniversary of 1831/32  emancipation  war

Kensington, Sam Sharpe SQ & other parish venues where monuments exist

JNBC; JNHT & Kensington Community

17th February 2008

Unveiling of Arrival Point Monuments & Island-wide Libation

200th anniversary of the arrival of the  last known slaver –the George, in Jamaica

Kingston, Falmouth, Portland

JNBC /MTEC

17th February

Cultural Rally

To end the year of activities

TBA

JNBC