Photo by Devon Evans
Minister of Tourism and Culture, Aloun Ndombet Assamba places flowers on the tomb of an African slave at the National Emancipation Vigil, and Jubilee in St. Ann on Tuesday. The event was held at the historic Seville Heritage Park.

ST. ANN:

Thousands of people from across Jamaica and overseas were in attendance at the National Emancipation Vigil and Jubilee held at the historic Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann last Tuesday night.

The all-night event, organised by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, presented a cultural feast of the highest quality.

The refreshing mixture of African and Jamaican culture was not only evident in the attire of the patrons but even more so in the music and the onstage presentations which were both educational and exciting.

Among the highlights of the vigil were the observance of a minute's silence for the ancestors, the reading of the 1838 emancipation proclamation by Custos of St. Ann Radcliffe Walters and the laying of wreaths on the tomb of the African slaves whose remains were found and reburied on the Seville property.

Those who took park in the floral tribute were Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Tourism and Culture Aloun Ndombet Assamba, Jamaica Labour Party candidate for North East St. Ann Shahine Robinson, representing the Opposition Leader, and Custos Radcliffe Walters.

In her address to the massive gathering, Mrs. Assamba said this year's Emancipation celebration highlights the spirit of unity among Jamaicans.

"This year we have too many gains to celebrate to be modest with the effort. We need to go full hundred, we can't stop at all. Jubilee, Jubilee," she said.

Mrs. Assamba went on to say people need to acknowledge that their true freedom is within themselves and they need to claim it in all their actions, especially in their attitude towards each other.

In the message from Mr. Golding, Mrs. Robinson called on Jamaicans to emancipate themselves from mental slavery as the country strives towards full recovery.

The vigil began with prayers from Methodist minister Rev Moses Benguche, followed by greetings from chairman of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, Professor Verene Shepherd.

There was an excerpt from the play Augus Mawnin by the Pantomine Company and a tribute of Fire led by the Hertford Cultural Group.

At the end of the official presentation MC Wesley Scott exited the stage and made way for new MC Mutabaruka to take charge of the Jubilee celebration. Among the performers were Jimmy Riley, One-Third, Chris Martin and Yasus Afari, all backed by the Fab Five band.

- Devon Evans