Not too long ago our elderly cultural bearers would speak of January 1 as 'Mancipation Day, the day the community would gather in the homes, praise houses and churches to listen to their elders describe their trials during slavery, and celebrate their joy that 'Mancipation Day had arrived. 'Mancipation Day always followed the sacred rituals of "Watch Night": an evening of prayer, waiting and watching that ended at midnight as the "Watchmen" called out the passing moments to freedom.
The Gullah Geechee celebration of Emancipation each January 1 has dimmed over time, yet some sea island communities held on to this extraordinary memory. In 2018 the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is supporting the on-going celebrations of Emancipation Day and inspiring other communities to renew the celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
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| “Emancipation Day in South Carolina” – the Color-Sergeant of the 1st South Carolina (Colored) addressing the regiment, after having been presented with the Stars and Stripes, at Smith’s plantation, Port Royal, January 1, 1863. (Frank Leslie’s illustrated newspaper, January 24, 1863) |
Are you curious to know about what happened on that fateful first 'Mancipation Day here in Beaufort District? Read this Connections post from 2012 to find out!
To learn more about the celebrations of Emancipation Day throughout the nation, Dickinson College has a Emancipation Digital Classroom website.
Please note: The Library will be closed Sat., Dec. 30, 2017 and Mon., Jan. 1, 2018 for the New Year's holiday.
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