President of the Crown Council of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, on Saturday, October 15, laid a floral tribute honouring Jamaica’s African ancestors buried at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann.
This was laid on the heritage monument that doubles as the final resting place of the African ancestors whose remains, which were discovered in informal graves to the rear of the 301-acre property, were exhumed and reinterred at the front.
According to JIS News, a local delegation comprising Members of Parliament, Councillors, and Justices of the Peace (JPs) as well as Ethiopian officials participated in the event, It formed part of the Ethiopian Prince’s special visit to Jamaica for National Heritage Week.
The groups also toured the Park, during which they were viewed artifacts and learnt more about the property’s occupants during the period of slavery.
In a special address, Minister of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, who accompanied the visiting party, emphasised the importance of Prince Ermias’ visit to Seville to understand more about Jamaica’s and Africa’s history.
“It is heartwarming that this has happened today. This site is sacred ground. We really feel that the history surrounding this plantation and its 301 acres is scattered with important artifacts and it tells a story,” Ms. Grange said.
Prince Ermias said he felt honoured to visit the park, noting that it helped him to connect the dots between Jamaica’s and Africa’s heritage.
“I felt a lot of emotions observing what transpired on this territory, and not just simply from a historical point of view, but also from the point of view that our people were buried behind the house and forgotten. Yet God, in his own time, brought them back and out to be immortalised at the front,” he explained.
Minister of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (left), converses with President of the Crown Council of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, following a floral tribute to Jamaica’s African ancestors buried at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann, on Saturday, October 15.
President of the Crown Council of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, lays a floral tribute at the resting place of African enslaved people buried at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann, during a visit to the estate on Saturday, October 15.
Yhomo Hutchinson Photos
Paul Harding (left) head of St Ann Caterers exchanges thoughts with His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, following the formal wreath-laying ceremony at Seville Heritage Park, St Ann
