8 months ago
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Jamaica had much reason to celebrate on December 4, when, at a meeting in Paraguay, a unanimous decision was taken to inscribe the Revival Pilgrimage To Watt Town on the Representative List Global List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Marked present at the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity were members of the Revival delegation, including Bishops Robert and Patricia Clarke; Reverend Andrew Douglas ; Evangelist Kimesha Morgan; Reverend Dabarie Spence and Alexander Shaw. Chaired by Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Paraguay to UNESCO, Nancy Ovelar de Girostiaga, the meeting adopted the recommendation for inscription and the decision was unanimous. The file was also commended for “highlighting the link between living heritage and cultural spaces”.
Bishop Robert Clarke, leader of the Watt Town Revival Group, was beside himself with joy when The Gleaner spoke with him on Friday, while he was still in Paraguay.
“I on’t have words to express how I feel! We had a strong belief that it would work out this way because we know the quality that Jamaica portray. All the nations said yes! Minister Grange came up with the idea and we were on board right away. This means more visitors to the island ... everybody is taking our numbers ... and the Italians already invited us for a visit. This is so wonderful!” Bishop Clarke said.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, shared that she was “very happy that this important pilgrimage, born and practised in Jamaica, will forevermore be listed among the intangible cultural heritage of humanity”.
“Part of my role is to promote and protect Jamaican culture and heritage. This inscription which is similar to the inscription of the Maroon Heritage of Moore Town, and Reggae Music of Jamaica, is part of that process to promote and protect. Mr Seaga did a lot to bring awareness and respectability to Revivalism through his research, participation in revival activities, his friendship with Revivalist leaders, and bringing revival activities to Jamaica House,” Minister Grange told The Gleaner.
She is hopeful that this inscription “will continue the public education about revivalism as a legitimate form of religious practice that was created by our people for their spiritual needs”.
The Revival Pilgrimage to Watt Town – a sacred site, which was once a refuge for enslaved Africans – occurs annually on the first Thursday in March. Clad in vibrant colours, bands, which engage in ritual songs and dances, travel from across Jamaica to the site. Early in the morning, they travel to the Jerusalem Schoolroom – a space used to communicate with spirits – where they use the messaging in emblems, called seals, to carry out certain tasks or functions.
In her acceptance speech, which was read in Paraguay by David Brown, Minister Grange expressed “Jamaica’s collective gratitude for this signal honour” and noted that the Pilgrimage “is a living testament to the endurance and vibrancy of our African-Jamaican belief systems”.
“This milestone affirms what we, as Jamaicans, have long held to be true ... Wha’ a fi yuh, cyaan be un-fi yuh, which when translated to standard English means “what is meant for us cannot be taken away’.”
DISCUSSIONS
Grange told The Gleaner that she had been having discussions with members of the Revivalist community on several matters, out of which the annual Revival Time event at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre was born.
“After Reggae was inscribed in 2018 the discussions deepened about a similar inscription surrounding Revivalism, as another authentic Jamaican practice. The leaders of the Revivalist community wrote to endorse the idea of putting forward the nomination and we got to work in 2019, however the pandemic set us back.”
She explained that her team had to select an element or feature of Revivalism, “as the denomination itself would not qualify for inscription”. The decision was taken to nominate the Pilgrimage to Watt Town, “a significant activity in revivalism which has been taking place long before Emancipation and continues today”.
“The strength and importance of the annual Pilgrimage to Watt Town that sees participation by people from all across Jamaica – and some coming home to Jamaica from across the world – was the basis for a powerful and compelling ,nomination,” the culture minister said.
Outlining the formula for their success, Grange named three integral forces: a great element; the revivalist community was fully involved in the process; and the team from the Ministry worked very hard.
Not one to sit on her laurels, Grange continues in work mode.
“We have been working on a dossier for Port Royal as a World Heritage Site; we have started work towards a declaration in the Cockpit Country; we’re also contemplating Jamaican jerk, Seville Heritage Park, and a few other authentically Jamaican elements. So there’s a lot work to be done. This inscription is inspiration for us to work that much harder,” Grange declared.
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