Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance WriterKUMINA RHYTHMS waft through the air mixing with an indistinct chant and a discussion of the 13 chakras, then a more familiar call comes through: "Nuts! Nutsy!" This eclectic mix is 2005 renewal of Fi-Wi-Sinting which took place at Nature's Way, Buff Bay, on Sunday.
Of course, last September nature had had her way with the space and so the grounds were starkly different from their state during last year's festival. It too bears the stamp of Hurricane Ivan's passage. A few stumps act as graves of fallen trees (some of them are now able to double as seats). The number of sprightly guava trees has thinned significantly, and many of those that are left have either had their heads lobbed off or branches amputated. New growth however, signals the renewal of life in the passing months.
Fi Wi Sinting is a celebration of Black History Month and so it features much of our culture which has either been passed directly from or influenced by our African heritage. More interestingly, the festival contradicts the idea that Jamaicans are only interested in sex and violence and nothing else can gain their attention, as throngs turned out to the festival which continues to grow.
Started more than a decade ago by Sister P, Fi-Wi-Sinting has long outgrown its home in the hills and seems well on its way to outgrowing Nature's Way, at least in a few years. The festival continues its tradition of having numerous things taking place simultaneously. So, throughout the day one could join a circle listening to (and often dancing with) kumina drummers before drifting off to hear a mento band or Nyabinghi drummers. There were also discussion groups taking place at different spaces as well as a jonkunnu troupe.
ITEMS OF CLOTHING
The space also features isles of food and craft. Crocheted and woven handbags, hats, belts and numerous other items of clothing were on sale. These were joined by various other kinds of fashion, generally those which celebrate an African Caribbean aesthetic. There was also jewellery, stone carvings from Zimbabwe, plants and art on sale.
In the food department the food generally ran toward the vegetarian lifestyle though fish and peppered shrimp were also available. Though most of the vendors operated from the booths in aisles, others were sprinkled around the grounds. Several peddlers also hawked their wares walking around calling out items ranging from cotton candy to 'high grade'.
Of course, if activity is not on the agenda there is much room for adults to lounge and children to play which they took full advantage of. Some families brought hammocks which were strung between trees and others anticipated the lack of shade and carried tents and even air beds.
As usual the day ended with performances on the stage, which included the Nayamka drummers and much more. Though Mutabaruka was not the final person to take the stage, he put the day into perspective, addressing a range of issues, mostly centred on blackness and corruption and how today's people remain ignorant of their history. In his final words he pointed to the value of the festival and the audience's applause suggested they agreed with him. "An we hope seh next year it gwine be a national event," he said.
