'DI MAWNIN of Augus' 1, 1834, marked one of the most significant events in Jamaican history. It was the day it became illegal to enslave another human being (from that point on you had to give them a 'likkle pittance' before you worked them to death).
Despite its significance, Emancipation Day was removed from the Jamaican holiday calendar for several years but was returned from ignominy in 1998. Upon its return it was greeted by Augus' Mawnin, a theatrical production created by one of the bastions of Jamaican culture, the Little Theatre Movement Company Ltd.
Since then Augus' Mawnin has been staged yearly. This year it will be a part of the opening ceremony of Emancipation Park, which is set for the eve of Emancipation Day.
The park will be situated where Liguanea Park used to be and will include an outdoor theatre space as well as a walkway, waterways, gardens and designs and sculptures centering on the emancipation theme.
According to Barbara Gloudon, Augus' Mawnin represents the creation of Jamaican repertoire of productions which are performed at celebratory occasions, in much the same manner that The Nutcracker is staged at Christmas.
Augus' Mawnin details the experiences of four slaves who run away to freedom. Even as they are hunted by the authorities they spend some of their time telling stories, singing, and mocking the language of 'massa'. As such, Augus' Mawnin gives a glimpse at the origins of Jamaican culture which is greatly tied the nation's immersion into a slave culture.
One of its culturally significant features is the fact that 'Augus' Mawnin' uses a collection of Jamaican literature. It features the work of Phillip Sherlock, Lady Nugent and Lorna Goodison. Two of Goodison's poems are featured, 'Nayga Bickle' and 'Annie Pengeleng'.
Goodison pointed out that one of the challenges of the performance will be staging it in such a big space for the large audience expected. She noted, however, that the play had previously been staged for a very large audience. One of these occasions was its performance in Toronto, Canada, for approximately 2000 students.
The production will be aided by the use of lighting and two large screens on either side of the stage, which will be brought in for the occasion.
Augus' Mawnin will then continue its regular run at the Little Theatre for an additional two weeks.
