The 18th staging of Fi Wi Sinting at Nature's Way, Buff Bay, Portland was more than a cultural festival in celebration of African heritage. It was a family reunion which evoked the spirit of the ancestors in more ways than one. 

Mainly Pan-African in focus, however, the all-day wholistic lifestyle family affair, as usual, attracted scores of patrons from different socio-political and religious persuasions who, like pilgrims, journeyed once each year from far and wide to renew acquaintances, reconnect with their indigenous folkways and to learn more about their ancestral roots and spirituality.

The event which has come to be regarded as the fountain of knowledge of traditional folk philosophy, took place in a village-like setting with ambience of a marketplace where on one side of the ground a variety of stalls offering a wide range of tasty natural dishes, while on the other side of the venue stood booths displaying the finest in African wear, jewellery, art and craft as well as books and literature of historical, cultural, contemporary and dietary importance.

But entertainment was the mainstay of the day's fare, a highlight of which was well-known artiste, broadcaster and Rastafarian, Mutabaruka, spinning the best in African rhythms which transformed a section of the ground into a dance space where patrons revelled in the music of the Motherland.

Like the servings of food and refreshment as well as merchandise, when it comes to entertainment, the options were many. The haunting chanting of the Nyahbinghi drummers was appealing, of interest also was Kumina ritual and the dancing Jonkunoos, but moreso, the dub poets featuring Cherry Natural and Royal African Soldiers, and not to mention storyteller Amina Blackwood-Meeks, who as always engaged the crowd with her wit and humour as she illustrated the tales and experiences of a by gone generation.

There was also an entertaining open-mic slot during the poetry session for which media personality, Totlyn Oliver, now a HEART instructor, was the emcee.

Enhancing the entire day's package, Portlander Joy McKenzie speaking on parenting, did the honours in the annual guest speaker slot. Like all previous staging of Fi Wi Sinting, as the shadows fell, the ritual of Floating The Ancestral Raft into the Caribbean Sea proved popular feature.

The festival of historical legacy ended with the Mobile Movie Network showing the Africa Unite documentary.

Written by:  Basil Walters - Jamaica Observer

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