JUL 11, 2025
The BVI Emancipation Festival is a staple of BVI culture, occuring every year without fail at the beginning of August for around two weeks. Two weeks of celebration, joy and community fun began with roots in the ending of slavery in the British Virgin Islands.
For many years before the emancipation of the British Virgin Islands, there was growing an significant demand among the enslaved Africans for freedom. This resulted in revolts, which disturbed plantation owners and ultimately led to the final emancipation of those incarcerated in the BVI. A notable revolt includes the uprising at the estate of Isaac Pickering in 1790, where the ringleaders were executed for their efforts on his property. Although there were many following other revolts during the period leading up till the emancipation according to bvi.gov.vg “Probably the most significant slave insurrection occurred in 1831 when a plot was uncovered to kill all of the white males in the Territory and to escape to Haiti (which was at the time the only free black republic in the world) by boat with all of the white females.”
This was a poorly formulated plan, yet however led to the execution of the ringleaders and panicked military backup distributed from nearby St. Thomas. In the lead up to emancipation, several thing stimulated it more than ever.
The slave trade ended in 1807, and in 1808, freed Africans, released from illegal slave ships, were left on the island, and after serving a 14-year term, they were completely free. This sparked even more anger in the slaves of the BVI and fuelled more to their emancipation desires.
In 1834 Emancipation was finally granted, and was celebrated by the people of the British Virgin Islands. However, true freedom was gradual, and slaves had 4 years more work while the plantation owners had to sort out what was to happen to their land in the BVI, whether they would continue production or go back to their former nations. “Triumphantly, on Aug. 1, 1834, emancipation took effect. This was on a Friday, but the celebrations were held on Monday, Aug. 4, 1834, and since then, the first Monday in August is called August Monday. There was much rejoicing, and the beginning of August Monday celebrations 185 years ago.” (BVI Beacon) The BVI’s celebrations spanned across many different things, from church celebrations to boat races and dancing, and it was truly a weight lifted off the shoulders of the BVI Islanders.
Later down the line, in 1953, was the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II, which was a turning point for the celebration format of the emancipation and was the beginning of the first festival to recognize the emancipation, held in 1954. Various other celebrations were then structured around the festival on August Monday, creating the format and amazing celebrations we have today!
The festival week recognizes BVI tradition, endurance, and resilience. With a nod to BVI and Caribbean culture. During festival week, there is a large emphasis on music, and we experience the influences of Caribbean music genres like Calypso or Reggae, important genres shaped by a rocky past, creating a flowering beauty of music framed by colorful costumes, parades, and processions.
This year it is the 71st anniversary of when the festival was first held, and there are many amazing plans for what is to be in store for the festival this year. It is a festival about the future whilst remembering the past. It is happening from July 13th to August 9th and is sure to be filled with color and fun!
