Ministry of Education

The day was August 1, the year 1838 and the event, Emancipation from Slavery. Tears of joy flowed incessantly, while shouts of freedom rang from the mountain tops and the plains, from the men, women and children, who had learnt that they were finally free of the oppressive social and economic system in which they were treated as less than human.

From its introduction in the West Indies in 15th Century, slavery was regarded by many as immoral and brutish, characterized by the destruction of the "innate characteristics of humankind, which are necessary for progress." The slave-owning class, who dominated the legislative system, drew up the slave laws, which were rigid. Some of these laws and punishments included forbidding slaves to hold meetings without permission from or under the supervision of a white person. Slaves were banned from beating drums and blowing horns as it was thought to be a signal of rebellion and they were severely beaten for slowing down in the fields.

The Quakers, a religious group, were among the first critics of the system and campaigned for its abolition. The campaign was led by Granville Sharpe, an English man who was successful in securing the freedom of an abandoned slave, Joseph Strong, in England 1787. The Quakers formed the 'Society For Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade' and others such as Sharpe, Thomas Clarkson, James Ramsey and Edmond Burke then joined it.

They argued that not only was slavery against the will of God, but was also the denial of civilization. They said that freedom was the true, natural state of man. However, their arguments proved futile as the sugar industry was booming.

Persons in favour of the system expressed the view that blacks were unprepared for freedom and would be harmed by it, and that not all men were born free and equal. They also held the view that Africans were different from whites and thus should be treated as animals.

It was not until the eighteenth century when the sugar industry began to decline that the anti-slavery movement received encouragement. The first victory for the abolitionist came in March of 1807, with the passage of the Bill for 'The Total and Immediate Abolition of the Slave Trade' in the British Parliament.

But, to a large extent, it was the slaves themselves who charted the course to their own freedom, by the many brutal revolts staged across the island. They had the help of the Maroons, those slaves who had escaped into the island's mountains. The most famous revolt was the 1831 "Christmas" or "Baptist War".

These rebellions, coupled with the decline in the sugar, caused a drain on the planters' coffers. With the possibility of a general uprising constantly threatening, the law to abolish slavery was once again proposed in the British Parliament in 1833 and this time was passed with little resistance.

On August 1, 1834, all slaves were legally declared free, however, "real" freedom only came in 1838.

Between 1834 and 1840 a system of Apprenticeship was introduced. This system was to help prepare the slaves for freedom and to help the planters cope with this change. However, it was unsuccessful as it failed to achieve the spirit of reconciliation and to prepare the former slaves for full freedom as was intended. Some success though was achieved in limited areas as a result of the Stipendiaries or Special Magistrates who had been appointed by the British government to oversee the system on its behalf, and to investigate cases of abuse. The decision was taken to end the system in 1838, two years earlier than planned. Thus, effective August 1, 1838, slavery was abolished and the former apprentices were declared free citizens.

Now that all slaves were free, what next? Emancipation did not mean the beginning of good times according to Sherlock and Bennett in "The Story of the Jamaican People": "Emancipation gave them the right to free movement, the right to choose where and when they wished to work, but without basic education and training many were compelled to remain on the plantation as field hands and tenants-at-will under conditions determined by the landlord, and for wages set by him."

But, the thousands of people of African descent who were subjected to years of submission to a system characterised by lack of freedom, action or will, were just glad to be free. With the savagery of the plantations behind, they saw promise of a better life ahead.

Swithin Wilmot in "Freedom in Jamaica" recorded the reaction of a former slave on hearing that he was free. "My dear brodders and sisters, me head quite full of joy to see you all so free and here today. At dis hour in slave time we all go de field to dig cane holes or pick coffee and if we sick, Buckra flog we for true, and no hear when we cry for mercy. But now no overseer can come and drive we off to the field, now we can work when we like and stay at home when we sick. We can buy our own land, build we own house and go to we own church."

Jamaica has seen more than 160 years of freedom from slavery and tremendous growth to become an independent nation but do Jamaican's understand the significance of being emancipated from slavery?

The anniversary of Emancipation was celebrated privately up to 1898, when Robert Love introduced the idea of a Convention. The response was good and the Convention was held on August 1, of that year. Out of that Convention came The People's Convention, which was set up so that the celebrations would continue in the future.

However in 1900, the Convention ended but not the celebrations. They continued as usual and in 1914, the Jamaica League was established. This was a group of Non-conformist ministers who were interested in developing, uniting and reforming Jamaica.

In 1962 when Jamaica gained Independence, the country's leaders took the decision to merge the two high points of our history- Emancipation and Independence, into one celebration.

With the passage of time, the commemoration of Emancipation steadily declined and the focus was more on Independence. However, in 1997, the first official function to mark the restoration of Emancipation Day as a National Day took place in Spanish Town where the proclamation of Independence was read.

The decision to restore the celebration of Emancipation Day to its place on the National Calendar was passed by the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in 1997. This was done with the intention of re-awakening the spirit of the nation to its rich and colourful history.

Emancipation Day is celebrated across the island with all-night vigils being held on the eve of Emancipation Day. These are conducted in churches and town squares throughout the island. At midnight there is drumming, pealing of bells, with celebrations continuing into the dawn of the "First of August." This is an effort to re-create the atmosphere that existed in the early days and in so doing establish a sense of feeling about that "Augus' Mawning".

Another Emancipation celebration activity is the annual Emancipation Lecture put on by the Webster Memorial United, Tarrant and Bethel Baptist churches. Speaking at one of the lectures, Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Burchell K. Taylor said, "An event as significant as the Emancipation of our people from slavery and all it signifies in terms of human cruelty, suffering, sacrifice, folly, courage, deception, greed, triumph of the human spirit and faith and hope cannot be allowed to slip from our collective memory. There are lessons to be learnt that are of lasting value.remembering Emancipation can itself be an ongoing liberating experience."

A significant activity for this year is the opening of the Emancipation Park. The Park, located on the former Liguanea lands near National Housing Trust in Kingston, will have walkways, waterways, gardens and related facilities, with designs and sculptures centering on the theme 'Emancipation'.