Latest update November 4th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- 3 US rigs drilling full steam ahead in search of more oil
- Changing CEOs cannot fix sugar problem-AFC
- Over 50 children killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza’s Jabalia in 2 days: UN
- 11 to receive honorary doctorate degrees from UG
- Govt. to amend Income Tax Act to prevent oil companies from rotating foreign workers to evade taxes – Jagdeo
Soiree: the African tradition that lives on
By Anasa Williams
Kaieteur News – The African tradition is big on dance and rituals to invoke the spirit of the ancestors and seek guidance on the way forward. Soiree is a festival that marks liberation from the harsh life the colonizers imposed on our ancestors.
August 1st is Emancipation Day in Guyana, which signifies the freedom of slaves from the life of the plantation, the right to earn a wage and own small plots of land. After emancipation, the former slaves worked hard and accumulated a sum of money from their pooled wages to beginning a series of buyouts of the plantations they worked on.
Hopetown Village, West Coast Berbice which is considered the home of Soiree was one of a string of villages bought. According to Arlene Munro in her piece titled, “Places of Significant African Presence in Guyana, The African Villages” Hopetown was bought on October 12th, 1840 by the Blair Brothers and 49 other proprietors including Pompey Joseph and Jacob Wilson for $2,000.
Traditional soiree involves ring games, cumfa dancing and drumming. Some persons may also take part in the singing of traditional songs and chanting to entice and awaken the ancestral spirits.
Over the last decade or two, soiree has taken on a modern twist to combine both traditional and modern aspects to include all ages in the festivities. On July 31st each year, Hope Town is lit up from the wee hours of the morning and there is drumming to awaken the villagers and those surrounding it.
There is bustling in many households as everyone is trying to get ready for the day’s festivities. There are meals to be cooked, outfits to be ironed and stalls to be assembled. The drummers tighten their drum skins to ensure each one will be doing what it is supposed to do and sounding the way it should. Folk singers are heard humming or belting to makes sure their vocals are in order and the dancers rehearse their choreographies to ensure they are in sync.
On the modern side of things, DJ’s and selectors are setting up, strapping on and tuning music sets to ensure that they are loud enough to drown out the surrounding ones to keep each section of the crowd contained. Each popular sound system has its own fan base and would be set up at intervals to cater to the patrons. In all of this bustle and hustle, the ranks of the Guyana Police Force are present to keep the peace.
Even though things may have taken a more modern turn, there is still great respect for the traditional aspect as it is only witnessed once a year and is quite a spectacle especially for the elderly folks. Quite often if not always, there is a story telling segment where old African tales are told to pass down knowledge of folklore as well as to teach them about the journey of our ancestors from their home to slavery.
Guyana is a country of six ethnicities and soiree plays a vital role in keeping culture alive. Head down to Hopetown Village, West Coast Berbice on July 31 to experience a little of slice of Africa, for yourself.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Jagdeo should withdraw his comments
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo found himself at the center of a controversy regarding... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
