Anguilla News - Local & Regional by AnguillaLNT a SMG Product

Jollification Time” CLASP 2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:53:00 -0100

(The Valley, Anguilla, Axa Library Release) - Can the public library revive one of the island's most important cultural traditions? Of course it can! 'Jollification

Anonymous

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:35:53 -0100

This story about a wonderful cultural tradition that has been given to us by our Carib and African forbears brought tears to my eyes. Anguilla is undergoing a cultural revolution. I want to salute those adults who dreamed of such a wonderful revival of Anguillan culture...Anguilllans helping each other, clear the land, raise the roof for a building, working together for the common good, everyone was much friendlier, said howdy or good morning, not hi...God bless all those who are reviving and sharing this wonderful Anguillan cultural tradition with the children so that the can appreciate the value of sharing and giving, working together peacefully and helping to build stronger united communities. It is a sense of natural affection to pass the culture on, what a wonderful story' Thank you.

Tyrone Hodge

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:43:19 -0100

I want to commend the Public Library for its efforts in trying to keep alive a tradition that in the past received very little mention and more often than not was confined to footnote status. As a 9 or ten year old, i had first hand knowledge of jollification. I saw my grandmother doing this many many times over my childhood. These folks, men and women alike would cultivate her land and she would feed them and at the end of the day she would put something in each person's hand. It wasn't much, but everyone was satisfied. When it was time to harvest the crops, she'd do the same thing all over again, even giving her crew part of the crop. Of course, I'd rather be with my friends at the beach, than being out in the hot sun working. Looking back, i wouldn't change it for the world. My grandmother passed away when I was ten, and though i didn't know it at the time, that was my quality time with her.The land that was onceteeming with corn, pigeon peas, yams, guinea corn and potatoes now sits barren, without a hint that it was once flourishing with produce. I'm saddened by that.

Observer

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:35:43 -0100

Mr. Tyrone Hodge your recollection of your grandmother's jollification tradition brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful way to remember your grandmother. Those were the days when grandmother's were part of the household or lived nearby. Nowadays, it is unfortunate that many children do not have the same close familial relationship with their grandparents and some of those elders are being cared for privately in nursing facilities.

Back to you Mr. Tyrone Hodge, your memories evoke not only a beautiful childhood recollection, but it is also a lament to see the rich soil that "now sits barren".

Mr Tyrone Hodge, if you are living in Anguilla, may I take the liberty of suggesting to you to become pro-active and begin to make that land flourish with "corn, pigeon peas, yams, guinea corn and potatoes". You can cultivate those ground provisions and also begin to sell as well as share with members of the community. Why don't you start a food growing cooperative teaching young people in your community to appreciate and cultivate the land for good food from the ground. I hope that I have not overstepped my boundaries in making this suggestions to you, but for the most part, it is well meaning. In doing so, you would be honoring an Anguillian tradition and your late grandmother's contribution to herself and her community. I wish you well.