Use Emancipation Vigils to Reflect on Country’s Achievements

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, is urging Jamaicans to use the Emancipation vigils to reflect on the country’s accomplishments since 1838.

Minister Hanna said the vigils provide an opportunity for Jamaicans to acknowledge the hardships of the forefathers and appreciate the freedom, which the people now enjoy.

“The vigils will bring to us, opportunity to reflect on that period and how that has impacted on who we are today as a people. We … have the ability to honour the memory (of the forefathers) through the vigils,” she noted during a JIS News Think Tank on Friday (July 24).

The Culture Minister also encouraged Jamaicans, who are unable to attend the parish vigils, to observe the Emancipation period in their own way.

“Even if you are at home and you can’t come out to one of the vigils, get some chocolate tea in your enamel mug, make sure little oil is on the top, have it through the night, get a piece of bread or flour dumpling and stay up until midnight and welcome Emancipation Day,” she said.

All parishes will have vigils with a celebration starting at 6:00 pm on July 31 and culminating at midnight with the symbolic reading of the proclamation by the custodes.

On Emancipation Day, at approximately 6: 00 pm, there will be drumming ceremonies at town squares across the island.

Thousands of locals and visitors are expected to attend the annual Emancipation vigils.

The historic Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann will be the site for the annual Emancipation Jubilee organised by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT).

The other venues are:  Kingston and St. Andrew,  10 Miles, Bull Bay; St. Thomas, Paul Bogle Square; St. Catherine, Sligoville Multi-Purpose Stadium; Portland, Port Antonio Town Square; St. Mary, Anglican Church Hall, Port Maria; Clarendon, Longville Park Community Centre, Free Town; St. Elizabeth, Black River Town Square; Manchester,  Court House Grounds in Mandeville; Westmoreland, Norman Square in  Savanna-la-Mar; Trelawny,  Bounty Hall Primary School Grounds; St. James, Tulloch Castle in Kensington; and Hanover,  Lucea Municipal Bus Park,  Lucea Town Square.

For more information on parish vigils and the celebration of drums persons may call the JCDC at 926-5726-7 or visit their parish offices.