Donkeys put a kick in Emancipation festival
Published:Tuesday | August 2, 2022 | 12:09 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
Keith Slayter made the Emancipation Day celebrations in Top Hill, St Catherine, a family affair as he brought his nine- and 15-year-old sons to see donkeys race for the very first time in their lives.
Slayter, who travelled from Kingston for the annual event, remarked that he was drawn by the uniqueness of the sport.
“Just the idea of a donkey race out in rural Jamaica just sounds exciting. Everybody weh mi know would want to see a donkey race and it just adds something to the whole enjoyment,” he said of the festivities.
“We have to carry the kids them out to make them appreciate Jamaican culture, ‘cause them just think everything is on TV or cable, but this is real fun. It can’t get better than this,” the father added.
Nine-year-old Caillou was particularly interested in seeing the animals up close, patiently awaiting to get a touch.
Scores of people turned out in celebration as reggae music blared from speakers while chilled drinks and jerked chicken and pork were on sale.
Since 1992, the donkey racing festival has drawn visitors from all across the country as well as travellers from overseas.
Up to 16 donkeys have competed in each edition, according to Melton Edwards, the event’s organiser. However, this year’s staging – the first since a two-year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic – featured only eight donkeys.
The overall victor was determined after a series of heats, semi-finals, and finals. Every candidate competes for a chance to win $20,000 in prize money.
When the owners of these donkeys are through with transporting chopped cane (during the cane season) for local sale, the animals are used for entertainment and leisure.
Edwards said that one of his most memorable moments was back in 2012 when Jamaica celebrated its golden jubilee. The event attracted widespread coverage and had a strong turnout.
On Monday, the donkeys kicked up a storm, thrilling the young, elderly, and in-between despite a downpour that delayed the races.
“Every year, I don’t know if it’s a blessing, but we always have some rain – if it’s even a little bit,” he said. As a result, locals have never discouraged him or the spectators from sticking around and attending the after-party.
Dwayne Jones, owner of the 30-year-old donkey named Pablo, was out early to give joyrides to young children.
“Every year mi dress up dah donkey ya fi di kids dem ride, so fi the sake a two years now weh the race dem nuh keep, mi have fi set up for the kids dem this year,” said Jones, who has been in the business since 2005.
“A fun fi mi, fi dress up him and make the kids dem ride, ‘cause sometimes a four kids, five kids deh pan him one time,” he added.
Jones claimed that despite Pablo’s advanced age, the donkey was well fed. Pablo has a wide-ranging diet, including rice and peas and even a drink of Guinness stout to give him a boost of energy.
Pablo was fashionably dressed in blue leggings and wrapped in colourful, patterned fabric which attracted much attention.