Jamaica’s National Storytelling Day is observed annually on November 20 and celebrates the island’s oral traditions and cultural heritage. The Day is used to commemorate the art of storytelling in Jamaica, whilst honouring the stories that have been passed down through generations, along with the lessons and shared identity within them.
Integral to the celebration, is the Ananse Soundsplash Festival and Conference, organized by the Storytelling Foundation of Jamaica, Ntukuma. Founded by International Storyteller Dr. Amina Blackwood-Meeks, the festival has been a hallmark of Jamaica’s storytelling culture since its inception in 1998. In 2012, the event was rebranded to coincide with Jamaica’s 50th year of independence, adding a conference component. The festival’s rebranding emphasizes storytelling’s value beyond entertainment and exploring its role in education, cultural preservation, and sustainable development – where sustainable development provides practical application to life.
The 2024 Ananse Soundsplash Festival and Conference, is under the theme “Find Ananse, Discover Jamaica,” highlighting the deep interconnections between Jamaican culture and the enduring legacy of Ananse, presented in African and Caribbean folklore. The festival, taking place from November 19 to 22, promises an engaging series of events focusing on the transformative power of storytelling across generations.
The festivities begin on November 19 with the Opening Children’s Gala, held in honor of
International Men’s Day. This event will spotlight the contributions and roles of male storytellers to Jamaican culture through storytelling. By engaging children in storytelling activities, the gala encourages younger generations to explore the values and lessons embedded in traditional tales.
November 20 marks the 10th Anniversary of National Storytelling Day, a milestone that
underscores Jamaica’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its storytelling heritage. This special day will feature a L(a)unch Hour Concert, where audiences will witness the introduction of the Ntukuma Collection into the Jamaica Memory Bank. The launch is a collaborative effort with the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank (ACIJ/JMB), further cementing storytelling’s importance as a cultural and historical resource. Through this event, the festival will highlight the importance of documenting and preserving Jamaica’s oral traditions in various forms, such as audio-visual and text. The ACIJ/JMB as custodians of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, underscores the importance of storytelling by housing the Ntukuma collection in the Jamaica Memory Bank.
On November 21, the Ananse Soundsplash will recognize World Philosophy Day. Ananse stories in Jamaica have long been used and appreciated for their philosophical value. As such, the festival will host Ananse Goes to College, in partnership with the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, to host discussions on how storytelling, can shape thought, identity, and cultural expression. By engaging academic setting, the festival aims to explore how storytelling serves as both an artistic practice and a means of cultural preservation.
The festival concludes on November 22 with Ananse Goes to School, an initiative that invites schools across Jamaica to join storytelling sessions virtually. This event will make it possible for children across the island to experience the art of storytelling, encouraging them to embrace and learn their oral traditions.
The 2024 Ananse Soundsplash further makes a national call for the appreciation of storytelling, its relevance, its educational value, identity, and cultural preservation. Consequently, the festival invites communities across Jamaica to rediscover the spirit of Ananse through participation in these various events hosted by Ntukumina through the Ananse Soundsplash 2024, as well as creating their own community event. Schools are urged to establish storytelling clubs, providing a space for students to develop and hone their narrative skills. Storytelling competitions by grades further inspire friendly rivalry, motivating students to immerse themselves in the art of crafting and delivering captivating tales, drawing on critical thinking skills. To enrich the experience, students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters from Jamaican Ananse stories, such as Breda Daag, Breda Tukuman, Breda Rabbit, and others. Additionally, schools and communities are invited to mount exhibitions displaying the works of Jamaican storytellers.
As Jamaicans, this day reminds us to gather, remember, and share our stories, ensuring that our ancestors’ voices and elders’ lessons remain vibrant in our collective memory. Whether through traditional folktales, riddles, or new digital platforms, storytelling continues to shape Jamaica’s cultural landscape, connecting past, present, and future.
Written by Georgette McGlashen-Miller
Research Fellow, African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank
References
Jamaica Information Service. “International Storyteller, Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks.” Jamaica Information Service, November 16, 2021. https://jis.gov.jm/national-storytelling-festival-in-progress/.