Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
A scene from the launch of the ASHE Ensemble musical production, 'Curfew', held at the Courtleigh auditorium, St. Lucia Avenue, New Kingston, last week. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
ONCE AGAIN, Fi Wi Sinting provided a bubbling stew of African-Jamaican folk culture.
The day-long festival took place in Nature's Way, Buff Bay, Portland, on Sunday. It featured a variety of performances taking place simultaneously and so the grounds were constantly abuzz with activity.
Quiet was banished in the afternoon as the air throbbed with rhythms and rhymes and, depending on where you stood, one could hear various rhythms at the same time as mento, kumina, and nyabinghi vied for attention.
Near the entrance, Mutabaruka dominated the wheels of steel with the sounds of Africa while at the latter end stories being told by Amina Blackwood Meeks vied for attention.
Jonkunnu also roamed the venue, earning either shrieks of excitement or fear as they danced away to the drum and fife.
While some children began exploring the joy of playing with the characters, others and several women found it too much to handle.
JONKUNNU PILE-UP
When one young woman was continuously being hounded by one figure, as though in an attempt to chase away an evil spirit, she finally drew on the power of a well-selected curse word, but not even the 'b' to the power of 'c' could save her. Finally, her tormentor relented.
Of course, while many patrons chose to be onlookers, others chose to be willing participants.
This at one point resulted in a multi-layered Jonkunnu pile-up.
The pile-up began when one Jonkunnu grabbed a young woman (who was less than willing) and started to dance with her.
Her friend then called out to her, 'Drop him! Drop him!'. So, the unwilling dancer then threw her legs around the Jonkunnu which brought the two of them to the ground.
Though this should have ended the matter, another Jonkunnu then jumped on the two figures followed by another young woman, then another Jonkunnu, resulting in a multi-layered writhing display.
CATCHY FAVOURITES
Various bands, however, dominated much of the activity in the day and they two gathered onlookers and dancers.
So it was that Turbo Plastic, a group of Portlanders who play folk rhythms on a variety of plastic drums, drew an awe-inspiring round of dancing as three young women (one of whom had been in the pile-up) proceeded to demolish the place in a demonstration which highlighted where dancehall and folk collides.
They played catchy favourites such as Brown Girl in the Ring (selected as a white woman joined the group of dancers) and Tell Mi Which Mont' Donkey Cyaa Call. The latter song had three women dancing in a tag-team wrestling format much to the delight of onlookers.
Along with the performances, Fi Wi Sinting had numerous items on sale from wicker furniture to jewellery, from clothing to 'high grade'.
VARIED CUISINE
Pork eaters would have found their desires thwarted but there was plenty to be had for those wanting to sample vegetarian dishes, sugar-free cakes, fruits, African cuisine, and juices.
Chicken and fish were also available, and it did not seem quite coincidental that the chicken pan was banished to the end of the line.
Yet the real marker of the nature of the day is that through all the excitement, a child slept snugly in protective arms.
It was a day that catered to young and old so that while adults strolled the grounds choosing to stop at one band or the other, children ran about, without a care in the world.
