I would be remiss, if I did not share my thoughts and do some consciousness raising on and around what is a distinctive unique characteristic of an Anguillian cultural tradition that was given to us by our African ancestors. To be more specific, “jollification” or a “jolly” as I knew it; is a cooperative endeavor that bonded our intergenerational families and friends to share in planting, preparing land, sea faring, fishing, building or moving a house and launching or christening a vessel. All hands were prepared and eager to chip in and participate in the required work early in the morning before the sun got too hot. Anguilla’s healthy traditional food (Johnny cakes, salt fish, bush tea, liver and lights, pea soup) would be prepared and served. Beverages were plentiful and it was a season of communal sharing and giving like none other. And most importantly no money every changed hands.
As documented, throughout the Caribbean region, similar cultural traditions are: “coumbite” in Haiti, “pardner” in Jamaica, “koudmen” in St. Lucia and Dominica, “len han” in Montserrat and “maroon” in Grenada and the Grenadines. Yet, Anguilla’s distinctive unique characteristic cultural tradition of “jollification” goes a step further; because of our association with the sea that was important for our survival to this very day. For instance, fishing and sea faring became a “jollification.” Anguilla’s national traditional sport of boat racing is a “jollification.” It can be traced to our forefathers returning from Santo Domingo and racing in sailboats to the shore back in the day. Joyful womenfolk, children and families awaited their return by the bay waving flags, dancing to express their joy in the spirit of “jollification” to welcome their men home. Even to this day, any holiday in Anguilla, a boat race is the main event and is indeed a “jollification” with lots of home grown Anguillian pride.
Where do we go from here? How can we retrace our steps and move forward? Why not a literary fest as a “jollification” that begins in our schools? Why not use our very own unique cultural tradition of “jollification” as a model in every facet of our lives to restore Anguilla to her traditional greatness? We used it when our students needed to get from point A to point B and did not have their passage. We had our will of “jollification” and we found a way to share and care. I can even say that we used it in our bloodless Anguilla Revolution whereby we exhibited unity, strength, courage and endurance and won the battle.
In closing, our African ancestors gave us a unique cultural tradition to engage in the spirit of community development that will benefit our island community of Anguilla. Therefore, we have an obligation and a responsibility to preserve and retain its legacy of collective work and responsibility for future generations. While the term “jollification” is probably being used as symbolic theme in connection with the second forthcoming literary fest being held in Anguilla next month; we must not lose sight of how we can restore and revive our unique cultural tradition of “jollification” to make Anguilla better. Mind you, the next thing you know someone would have discovered “jollification” and make “jollification” a part of their brand. “All you” had better preserve it, protect and take ownership of it now as part of our home grown Anguillian pride. And as you take back Anguilla’s own old-time brand of the real unique cultural tradition of “jollification”…… …may the ancestors continue to find you highly in their favor. God bless you all.
Name held upon request.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
