By: Staff Writer
September 12, 2023
The upcoming Ananse SoundSplash festival is going into its 25th year of encouraging storytellers from Jamaica to embrace their culture and this year they will be expanding the festival digitally to incorporate more people from around the Caribbean and Central American region.
Dr Amina Blackwood-Meeks, professor at the Edna Manley College in Jamaica and professional storyteller and founder of the festival, told Caribbean Magazine Plus that this year will be different from the previous years because this year will focus on the “First People,” celebrating the first people’s of the region and what they have passed on to the current generation of slave descendants, in an attempt to mix both cultures together so all can celebrate the history of the Caribbean.
Dr Blackwood-Meeks also said: “We’re also saying people should be the first target of any development. Whether it’s building house, you’re building roads, changing agricultural practices or if you want to go digital. Nobody must be left behind.”
The 2023 staging of Ananse SoundSplash Storytelling Festival and Conference, will exuberantly locate itself within sustainable economic and social growth by celebrating stories of first peoples of Jamaica. It will also highlight how we honour the aspirations and accomplishments of people, by putting their needs first.
Dr Blackwood Meeks further explained, “Every day in Jamaica, we feel the impact of our First People, they are not invisible, they are not lost, they are not extinct.” Ntukuma will showcase stories of the Tainos, and the creolised peoples from all around the world who have all brought something valuable into our culture. These performances will feature will be performed by Jamaican Taino Kasike Kalaan of the Hummingbird Tribe in presentations with other members of Ntukuma, Amina Blackwod Meeks, Damian Herridge, A-dZiko Simba, Hassane Gordon, Elizabeth Saddler and visiting international storytellers from South Africa, Panama and Costa Rica.
The eight-legged festival will be anchored at the Festival Village at The Mico University College from where it will travel to other locations. The festival is also being supported by the Ministry of Education and Youth which has endorsed the Ananse Goes To School leg which will be hosted by Region 3 of the ministry.
All schools wishing to participate in the opening children’s gala, as well as storytellers who wish to perform at any leg of the festival, are invited to contact Ntukuma for details.
This year’s SoundSplash will also be the first time children from around the region will be able to participate in the festival because it will be a hybrid event where people can take part virtually.