Maidstone to celebrate Fus A Augus with show and dance

Some of the biggest names in local entertainment are set to participate in this year' staging of Fus A Augus, an annual Emancipation Day celebration held at Maidstone, Manchester.

The event, to be held at Nazareth Primary School, will see the likes of Christopher Martin, Tony Rebel, Ernie Smith and Nadine Sutherland performing. The highly rated entertainers will take the stage after the conclusion of a gospel segment, which begins at 7 p.m.

Held in collaboration of the Social Development Commission and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the event promises to be a cultural delight with performances of maypole, Bruckins, Kumina and Jonkanoo.

Mikael Phillips, member of parliament for Manchester North West, where Maidstone is located, noted that the community has a rich history.

"Maidstone is the first free village in Manchester. We did a project that constructed a museum as a place where people can come and understand the history of Maidstone," Phillips said.

Also known as Nazareth, Maidstone is one of the earliest free villages in Jamaica. The community sits on a 341-acre property, which was originally a coffee plantation, home to some 300 enslaved Africans. A museum which houses artefacts used by enslaved Africans and their masters in located in the community.

Emancipation Day is held yearly to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Africans from slavery. Phillips said that the people of Maidstone have long staged their Fus A Augus celebrations but "it was scaled down".

"People used to just come in and just cook food and have some cultural items, until it eventually stopped. Working with the community council, we decided that we're going to remake it into an activity where people can come to experience the culture and enjoy themselves," said Phillips.