Cumberland Celebrates African Heritage Month
It is African Nova Scotia Heritage Month and ceremonies and celebrations are taking place throughout the province today.
Amherst Mayor David Kogan presided at a flag raising and dedication while Mayor Murray Scott did likewise in Cumberland.
It is a celebration of the contribution of African Nova Scotians to the community.
Mayor Scott joined with representatives of the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association (CANSA) to raise the flag and sign the proclamation at the Upper Nappan Service Centre.
The Mayor said, “On behalf of the municipality I’m proud to be able to sign this proclamation and raise the flag in recognition of February as African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia and within the Municipality of Cumberland. It’s so important to recognize the contributions of those of African descent in our municipality, our province and country.”
Scott added, “It’s important we celebrate the successes the African community has had through the years and to work together to ensure we continue to move forward together.”
He says, “It’s important to work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of African Nova Scotians are heard, their rights respected and their contributions celebrated not just during this month, but every day of the year.”
African Heritage Month includes both commemoration of the past struggles and tragedies that have faced the African Nova Scotian community, and celebration of African Nova Scotians’ unique and enduring contributions to the province to this day.
It’s a reminder of the remarkable journey of the province’s 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities and the various journeys of people of African descent who now call Nova Scotia home — journeys defined by resilience, wisdom and hope.
The first African Nova Scotians arrived in what is now Cumberland County nearly 300 years ago with the influx of approximately 1,750 people. They resided in the Fort Lawrence area and were recorded as enslaved persons involved in building of Beaubassin.
Another group of African descendents arrived in 1758 with New England planters, both as enslaved persons and freemen.
In 1783, a listing compiled in New York (from the Book of Negroes) included the British ships that landed at Fort Cumberland, Parrsboro and other Cumberland County forts. Many of these people would remain in the area.
The largest black population in the county was in Amherst followed by Springhill, Parrsboro, Oxford, Tidnish, and Joggins with some of the earliest surnames in 1827 including Boles/Bowles, Cook, Dixon, Gay, Halfkenny, Howe, Jones, Martin, Milligan, Newton, and Rogers.
Tammy Gero, representing CANSA-Nova Scotia Works, said it’s important to recognize that African Nova Scotians are a people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia for more than 400 years.
Gero says, “African Heritage Month is the time that we recognize the history of those who were involuntary enslaved and brought to this county, along with celebrating the culture of people of African descent.” She added, “This year’s theme is focused on our smiles, our joys, and our resilience throughout history.
The photo above shows CANSA’s Colleen Dowe (left) and Dawn Ferris watch as Mayor Murray Scott signs the proclamation declaring February as African Heritage Month in the municipality.
The photo below shows the threesome with the African Nova Scotia flag. Photos by Darrell Cole.
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