It was quite a sight to behold. The director of Culture in the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture laid low by a senior citizen who had him well and truly ‘whupped’ as they danced to the pulsating rhythms of the drums accompanied by some serious traditional music from the St. Ann Senior Cultural group. Laughter erupted all around and many others got out of their seats to join the fun. Such was the atmosphere of camaraderie, fun and anticipation at the Jamaica National Heritage Trust’s launch of Emancipation Jubilee 2006 at Seville Heritage Park, St. Ann on Thursday, June 8.

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. This year the JNHT is pulling out all the stops for the big celebration and has invited groups from other Caribbean islands to participate in the event.

Executive Director of the JNHT, Laleta Davis Mattis, in her opening remarks, noted that over the years, “the Jamaica National Heritage Trust has used Emancipation Jubilee as a tool to remind Jamaicans of the struggles and triumphs of our African forefathers.” The JNHT head stated that the event “is much more than a just a reminder of the past. Jubilee is also a cultural feast which seeks to build national pride, self worth and an appreciation for our African heritage…”

Guest Speaker, the Hon. Aloun Assamba, Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, in endorsing the event, noted that “Emancipation Jubilee is even more significant than might first meet the eye as it sits squarely at the nexus of foundation principles which drive the three core policies in the Ministry of Entertainment Tourism and Culture.”

The Minister, quoting from the national cultural policy noted that “As a country with a history of the horrors of enslavement and other colonial practices, there is need for our people to be provided with opportunities to tell their story as part of the release that must underpin any notion of a healthy society.”

“Through events such as jubilee, we are securing the collective economic benefit of engaging in cathartic and entertaining reflection, by inviting persons of other cultures to share in the experience,” Minister Assamba explained.

The minister, who has attended the jubilee event in previous years, told the group that she looked forward to seeing everyone back there on July 31. The air will be permeated by rhythmic African drums, while we share steaming mugs of coffee or hot chocolate to temper the cool St. Ann air.

She then invited them to “come for the camaraderie, come for the entertainment. Come for the connection to our ancestors who fought for freedom on this very piece of ground.”
The energetic Kingston Drummers and the award winning St. Ann Senior Group gave guests a taste of Emancipation Jubilee with pulsating performances that had everyone rocking. Afterwards guests were given a taste of things Jamaican – mannish water, jerked chicken, mackerel run dung, curried goat, roasted yam and potato, corn meal pudding, coconut drops among other delicious sweet treats.

Operations Manager at Seville Heritage Park, Joan Seagears outlined a list of the performers for the night that will include: Kingston Drummers, Port Morant Kumina, Manchioneal Cultural Group, Hot Top Jonkunu, Stella Maris Dance Ensemble and Carifolk Singers who will entertain in the first part of the evening. After midnight the ever fabulous Fab 5 will set the place rocking and there will be performances from Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica, Derrick Morgan, George Nooks, TOISIS, Roy Richards and Christopher Martin.

Tickets for the show costs $700 pre-sold and $800 at the gate.

For further information contact:
Andrea Braham
922-1287-8/922-3990