Re-living Emancipation the Zion way
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “SLAVERY SHALL BE UTTERLY AND FOREVER ABOLISHED!” When these words from the Emancipation Proclamation were re-read on Sunday night by Dessie Henry at the 2011 Zion Moravian Emancipation Concert, it signaled the start of a Programme which relived the soulful experiences of our ancestors when slavery was eventually abolished.
And though the fervour and passion may not have had the depth of feeling our ancestors must have had, it was worthwhile to commemorate the experience and once again celebrate how much we had overcome.
The celebration of Emancipation also serves to renew spirits and provide inspiration to “rise and go forth” as the poem read by Mary Morton and written by local poet Malcolm Kirwan advised. Indeed the theme of the concert this year was “Keep Climbing!”
The rhythm of Africa came forth in the soulful singing of spirituals and the toe-tapping drumming of the Okolo Tegremantine drummers.
“King Jesus is a ‘listenin’’ (Zion Moravian Senior Choir); “Rivers of Babylon” (Rhoyd Phipps of the Okolo Tegremantine Arts Theatre); “Steal away home” (Men’s Commission Choir); “Dig a little deeper” (Acupella Quatro Voci); “Ride on King Jesus” (Larry Vaughn) and “Cum by yah” (Saxophonist Kyshaun Bassue) were some of the more familiar spirituals rendered and well received by the appreciative audience.
The programme also offered various instrumentals in solo or duo renditions – saxophone , electric guitar, trumpets, steel band, piano and organ.
All items displayed the remarkable talent of our youth, who some six or seven generations after Emancipation Day showed they were the offspring of survivors. They had become the “rainbows” after the dark clouds of a history from which they arose to nurture their talents.
Christian Nathaniel was one such ‘rainbow’, who though quite youthful, gave spirited and professional renditions in song and in solo performances on the piano and organ.
Two new art forms intrigued the large audience who has made it a ritual to attend this annual Emancipation concert. They were “Hand Blowing” and “’Signing’ and ‘Miming’” by Javern Richardson and Signature of Praise respectively. Though it is not usual to see them offered as a form of stage entertainment, yet they were well rendered and well received and applauded.
The past and present were brought together by a poem, written by Chesil Hamilton for Independence 1983 but adapted to embrace the present times. In it he pleaded with all to rise to the challenge and fight for Peace, Love and Justice. His theme was “We have to live and work as a family. “Stamp out acrimony and political strife,” he begged… We have to live and work as a family for, he concluded, “Family is maturity”.
His wise admonitions brought many murmurings of approval.
Two major Choirs formed the backbone of this variety concert. The Zion Moravian Senior Choir which was directed by Clarita Richards, and the Moravian Conference Choir, a joint choir with members from the various Moravian churches, which was directed by Rev. Jeremy Francis. Their selections of spirituals were all well rendered. Both choirs came together for a wonderful Amen Hallelujah finale chorus.
Organists Telca Francis, Rev. Jeremy Francis, who also directed, and Novelette Morton-Hanley who accompanied the Men’s Commission Choir, must all be complimented for shepherding their musical flocks into providing very satisfactory and appropriate renditions.
Once again, Ms Clarita Richards, who is responsible for initiating these concerts, and her team of dedicated workers must be sincerely thanked for bringing to the fore this very significant reminder of our history for as Marcus Garvey said, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots,”
And George Santayana said: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
We look forward to reliving Emancipation at next year’s concert.
