Remember and Celebrate!
When the French and the Dutch settled on St. Maarten in the 17th century, they established the plantation and salt industries. A great shortage of labor arose, and therefore it was decided to bring enslaved Africans. The Africans, brought in against their own free will and under inhumane circumstances, cultivated indigo, tobacco, cotton and sugarcane. They toiled in the sugar factories, and picked salt in the salt ponds. These salt ponds functioned as the primary meeting place for freed and enslaved Africans, to socialize and exchange information, such as calls for emancipation.
Driven by innate desire to be free, the enslaved made strong efforts to escape to the hills and other save havens, forcing the insular authorities to pass anti maroon (runaway slave) legislation in 1790. Abolition of slavery ended this “unholy institution” on the northern part of the island. (the French side) in 1848. Slaves on the southern part (the Dutch side), having learned this, set out to the border to become free. Fearing further revolt, the slave owners on the Dutch side pleaded with the authorities for abolition, but received no official reaction. Therefore they decided to release their slaves from bondage, and to pay wages for work. Slavery ended in fact on St. Maarten in 1848; however, the official abolition of slavery for the Dutch West Indian colonies was not proclaimed until the 1st of July 1863.
To commemorate this important time in our history; The VOICES Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs is inviting the people of St Maarten to their Emancipation Day celebration at the Emilio Wilson Park on Friday July 1st, 2016. The theme for this year’s event is “Remember When” and it will be honoring St.Maarten pioneers who are doing great work in our community. “The Emilio Wilson Park is very secret and precious, this year marks five years we have been honoring our ancestors who have walked that park before us, so it makes for a perfect location for this celebration” says Ms. Illis
Traditional food, drinks, arts and crafts will be on sale. There will be fun bouncers and face painting for the children. DJ Nandes will provide music and entertainment.
VOICES and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs is encouraging the people of St Maarten to come out on July 1 in their cultural wear and bring a blanket along with them so that we can have a Cultural Ancestral celebration at the Emilio Wilson Park. See you there!
