Looking for something a little different to do with the family this Saturday? Consider a visit to Mt. Victory Camp, where you can sit around the fire and listen to stories about jumbies inhabiting ancient native trees.
For those new to the word, jumbies are not exactly ghosts, but spirits, part of a Caribbean tradition with deep roots in West Africa. They are the spirit of a departed person and can be associated with places where death and tragedy occurred. Or they can be protective spirits or guardian angels. Jumbie stories, in turn, are a lot like scary ghost stories.
The group, Caribbean History and Nature Tourism (CHANT), has been putting on this fun fundraising festivity for the past four years now. Last year’s storytelling extravaganza was a huge success, with hundreds of kids of all ages having fun getting scared.
"It’s a way of showcasing the old storytelling tradition and at the same time being aware of the spiritual realm and mindful of the munificence of our ancestors," said Onaje Jackson of CHANT at last year’s jumbie talk.
In addition to jumbie tales, Bully and the Kaffooners will be taking the stage, playing old style quelbe tunes. Last year, lots of Crucian natives showed the rest of the crowd how to dance to the quelbe in the traditional Crucian way.
Asta Williams, a noted Frederiksted storyteller and one of the Kaffooners, will share some of her stock of old tales around the fire. A bit later, once it is fully dark, Crucian herbalist and folklorist Veronica Gordon will guide everyone for an eerie walk down Creque Dam Road, stopping at ancient, hoary trees purportedly inhabited by vengeful spirits.
Admission for the CHANT fundraiser is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Food is extra, but for $25 you can get the whole shebang: food, drink, jumbie stories and music.
CHANT is also publishing a Jumbie Talk booklet filled with jumbie stories and tales. This collector’s item will be given to all attendees the night of Jumbie Talk and then be available afterwards for sale by the CHANT office. Limited advertisement space is still available in the booklet.
Attendees should bring chairs and blankets for seating and wear comfortable shoes for the walk.
Tickets are available at: CHANT offices at 210 Strand Street, Suite 5, Frederiksted, (719-5455); Dive Experience, Christiansted, (773-3307); Polly’s At the Pier, Strand Street, no. 3 Strand Street, Frederiksted; and Applause, in the Sunny Isle Shopping Center, (778-9301).
