Anguilla is pausing from the normal routine of life to observe the 40th year of carnival now dubbed, in recent years, the all-encompassing Summer Festival – with the center piece being a main programme of events comprising actual carnival events and a series of boat-races. The observance of this cultural milestone commenced on July 2 with forty days of activities extending to August 8.
Many persons in Anguilla still have vivid memories of carnival and other cultural events on the island in yesteryear and, perhaps, their own participation and delight in those treasured activities. One which readily comes to mind, and which probably might have been the genesis of some of the present-day celebrations, was the St Mary’s Anglican Church August Monday Bazaar on what was then Burrowes Park – changed to Ronald Webster’s Park in 1968. That day-long bazaar was a multi-pronged activity, meaning that it reached out to include almost every cultural event on the island during that period except, of course, boat-racing which obviously could not happen on land.
But the activities then, as they are now, have had their beginnings in the observance of the emancipation or freedom of slaves of African origin in the British colonies. It is small wonder that today, down through the corridors of time, since the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, that there is still so much celebration and revelry in the Caribbean region including Anguilla.
Emancipation Day was a big event and an important turning point from the misery and degradation of slavery. So the carnival or summer festival events, we are observing and enjoying today, have a more significant and deeper meaning than what appears on the surface of our revelry. It is therefore understandable why, in the Anglican and Methodist Churches in Anguilla this coming Sunday, there are functions focusing on slavery and its abolition.
Whatever are our present-day cultural and social links with the abolition of slavery, Anguillians have emerged as a proud and resilient people. The development of our cultural way of life, our diverse entertainment and the attraction to our shores of scores of visitors and returning Anguillians, during this period of celebration, and cultural extravaganza, have done much good for us and the fame and economy of our island.
We need to protect our long cultural and social journey to this observance of Carnival 40 as the current summer festival has been coded. That protection is not only for the present, but the future as well. The way that our people will conduct themselves, during this heightened period of revelry and excitement, will determine how really enjoyable and beneficial our carnival or summer festival will be – not just for all fun-loving people on the island, but our own returning nationals and, to a large extent, our visitors whose coming will help to boost our tourist arrivals and travel income.
Carnival 40 and all that it represents, as mentioned above, is meant to be a memorable occasion. As such it must not be marred by any untoward act of violence or other forms of criminal behaviour. Already, we are going into the mainstream activities with a violent death on our minds, details of which are still being investigated by our law enforcement officers. Whatever are the circumstances, such acts of violence, including violent robberies by masked and armed men, acts of burglaries and thefts by other criminals, and gang warfare and acts of revenge, have no part in what should be an orderly and peaceful society.
What we want is a safe and enjoyable period of merriment when all fun-loving people, whether residents or visitors, can rub shoulder to shoulder at the various locations of our of carnival or summer festival without fear or hindrance. May this truly be a time of enjoyment and peaceful co-existence for all.
