July 3, 2018, marked the 170th anniversary of the Emancipation of enslaved Africans in the former Danish West Indies.
ST. THOMAS
On St. Thomas, The Emancipation Day Coalition has been putting together an emancipation day program since the 70s held at the Emancipation Garden.
Emceed by Akinyemi and Mariel Blake, highlights of this year’s program included Conch Shell Blowing, Libation & Ancestral Call, Bell Ringing, Community Drummers, MACISLYN Bamboula Dance Company Inc., the Ulla Muller Bamboula Dancers, with a number of musicians, poets, remarks from various culture bearers and other performances.
This year’s event also included, for the first time, a short play on Queen Mary written by Dr. Eddie Donoghue; Directed by Ayesha Morris, storytelling by Yohance Henley and live music by Full Circle band. Many food, drink and other vendors attended.
The Emancipation Day Committee is a collective of volunteers from around the community who come together to organize various historical events including the Fortsberg 1733 Revolution Historical Tour, African Liberation Day, Kwanzaa as well as Emancipation Day and they are currently seeking new people to continue the work of keeping the rich culture and history of the territory and diaspora alive.
https://stjohnsource.com/2018/07/04/st-thomas-emancipation-day-honoring-tradition-and-heroes/
JULY 3RD EMANCIPATION DAY COALITION PROGRAM
| THEME: |
| HONORING OUR ANCESTORS FROM EMANCIPATION TOWARDS SELF DETERMINATION, THROUGH ORGANIZED UNIFICATION, ENLIGHTENMENT, EMPOWERMENT AND MOBILIZATION |
| Event time: 10:00 am until 6pm |
| Location: Emancipation Garden |
| Participants: Remarks, Dancers, Wordsmiths, Singers, Drummers, Food Vendors, Craft Vendors |
| EMCEES – Akinyemi and Mariel Blake |
| ORDER OF EVENTS | |||
| Time Frame | Topic | Presenter | Comments |
| 9:30 – 10:00 am | DJ Music | ||
| 10:00 – 10:05 am | Welcome by MC | Akinyemi & Mariel Blake | |
| 10:05 – 10: 15 am | Conch Shell Blowing | Culture Bearers, Traditional Bearers, and Business Owners of Meade’s A/C Maintenance
The Meade Family V.I.’s Very Own Conch Shell Blowing Family. The members are: Jason Meade Sr., Jason Meade Jr., Jahannah Meade, Jadin Meade, Juel Turnbull-Meade – CoordinatorLet Us Welcome Them! – Coordinator |
|
| 10:17 – 10; 30 am | Libation & Ancestral Call | Akinyemi & Mariel Blake | |
| 10:30 – 10:35 am | Bell Ringing | Mr. George Larsen | |
| 10:35 – 10:45 am | Community Drummers | Invite drummers in attendance to participate | |
| 10:45 – 11:00 am | Drumming & Dance | Allegra Christopher’s MACISLYN Bamboula Dance Company Inc. | Two members of the group; Raven Phillips and Kiki Vanterpool will dance |
| 11:00 – 11:05 am | Emancipation Event Remarks | PASG member Steve Issac | Brief info on the Event and reading of the Proclamation |
| 11:05 – 11:08 am | Bell Ringing | Gov. George Larsen | |
| 11:08 – 11:13 am | Theme Remarks | PASG Leba OlaNiyi will remark on the theme: Honoring our ancestors from emancipation towards self-determination, through organized unification, enlightenment, empowerment and mobilization | |
| 11:13 – 11:30 am | Songs | Shelly May Yeye Osuh will present 3 songs for our upliftment | |
| 11:30 – 11:35 am | Remarks on Our Youth’s Development | Marcella “Jaribu” Jennings | VI youth groups which are helping to develop positive citizens |
| 11:35 – 11:50 am | Queen Mary Play | Written by Dr. Donoghue; Directed by Ayesha Morris | |
| 11:50 – 12:00 pm | Recap Remarks & pm Welcome by MCs Akinyemi & Mariel Blake | ||
| 12:00 – 12:05 pm | Conch Shell Blowing | The Meade Family V.I.’s Very Own Conch Shell Blowing Family | |
| 12:05 – 12:10 pm | Remarks on the Theme | Leba OlaNiyi | |
| 12:10 – 12:30 pm | Bamboula Dancers | Ms. Mercer & Mrs. Taylor present the Ulla Muller Bamboula Dancers | |
| 12:30 – 12: 40 pm | Story Telling | Yohance Henley | |
| 12:40 – 12:50 pm | Emancipation Event Remarks | PASG member Steve Issac | Brief info on the Event and reading of the Proclamation |
| 1:00 – 1:30 pm | Guest Artist | Melame Gange | |
| 1:30 – 1:40 pm | Remarks & Songs | Ambassadah Seven | |
| 1:40-1:45 pm | Remarks | Sister Karima | |
| 2:00 – 2:05 pm | Remarks | Sister DaraMonifah of Sankofa Saturdays | Community Organizing & Effective PR |
| 2:30 – 2:45 pm | Cultural Dance | Queens of the Earth | |
| 2:45 – 2:55 pm | Remarks | Sister Price Juneteenth – Celebration of Emancipation in US | |
| 3pm – 3:30 pm | Songs | Haile Israel | |
| 3:30 – 4:30 pm | Music | Nyaginghi Drummers | |
| 4:30 – 6:00 pm | Music | Full Circle | |
| 6:00 pm -6:05 pm | Closing & Acknowledgements by Leba OlaNiyi | ||
ST. JOHN
According to an official press release, “Governor Kenneth E. Mapp also encouraged residents to participate in Emancipation Day throughout the Territory noting the events happening specifically on St. John. St. John’s Emancipation Day activities commencing on the St. John Festival Village stage with Emmanuel Boyd blowing the conch shell at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3. The Caribbean Ritual Dancers, the St. Thomas Spiritual Dancers, Haile Israel, In Harmony, Eddie Bruce, Delroy “Ital” Anthony and historian Mario C. Moorhead will participate in the program.”
https://stjohnsource.com/2018/07/03/st-john-emancipation-day-ceremony-strikes-serious-and-comic-notes/
Live Event Videos:
ST. CROIX
Moorhead hails from the sister island of St. Croix, where Emancipation Day events are also being planned. Contact the event organizers directly for details.
https://stcroixsource.com/2018/07/04/st-croix-emancipation-day-reenacting-the-walk-to-freedom/
Previous Years:
https://www.daramonifah.com/2017/07/03/vi-emancipation-day-2017/
https://www.daramonifah.com/2016/06/16/usvi-emancipation-day-2016/
In Other Media:
https://stthomassource.com/content/2017/07/04/st-johnians-celebrate-emancipation-day/
https://stthomassource.com/content/2016/07/04/st-thomas-celebrates-emancipation-day/
https://www.daramonifah.com/2016/06/16/usvi-emancipation-day-2016/
