How do you celebrate Juneteenth?
Remembering, celebrating and reflecting on Juneteenth and the end of slavery in the U.S. is done by differently by different people. Many of the traditions associated with Juneteenth trace back to original events when people first learned they were free of enslavement.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture‘s (NMAAHC) website has photographs, articles and artifacts that illustrate the history of Juneteenth.
Kelly Navies, museum specialist and oral historian with the National Museum said, “Juneteenth is celebrated in a variety of ways throughout the United States and world, but consistent themes are an emphasis on family, freedom, activism, and resilience. Most communities celebrate with a feast centered around a barbeque. Often there are historic-themed performances and poetry readings. You might also see African drumming and dancing. The color red is an important symbol of the sacrifices made in the past, and many people wear red and bring red side dishes to the feast, like red beans, watermelon, and red soda pop.”
Family
Family was a central theme for freed people after Emancipation and it remains a centerpiece of African American culture and Juneteenth celebrations today. For families that had been separated by slavery, reuniting with family members was a priority. After the publication of Alex Haley’s book “Roots,” and the following movie, tracing family history and understanding the life of your predecessors became a more common practice for descendants of formerly enslaved people.
“All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake” a non-fiction book by Tiya Miles, illuminates the love, hardship and uncertainty enslaved people lived with before and after emancipation. “All That She Carried” follows the journey of Ashley, a nine-year-old girl taken from her mother, sold and relocated to Texas, far away from her family. Before their separation, Ashley’s mother, Rose, gave her a rough cotton sack with a handful of precious items and the words, “It be filled with my love always.” Tracing the story and the contents of the sack, Miles depicts the love, hardship and uncertainty enslaved people lived with during and after the civil war.
Food
Early Emancipation celebrations usually included large gatherings around food, often barbecue. “Sweet Home Cafe Cookbook” from the NMAAHC is more than a collection of recipes from the museum’s popular restaurant. The book illustrates the pivotal — and often overlooked — role that African Americans have played in creating and re-creating American foodways. If you don’t have time for a whole cookbook try Louis Armstrong’s recipe for his favorite food, red beans and rice. “Watermelon and Red Birds: a Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations,” by Nicole Taylor is filled with festive modern recipes and gives particular attention to red-themed foods and beverages. “The Juneteenth Cookbook” by Alliah Agostini has recipes and activities for families. If you want a guide to barbecue, consider “Ed Mitchell’s Barbecue.” Mitchell gives directions for whole hog barbecue but also covers sides, and smaller cuts of meat. “Ghetto Gastro Black Power Kitchen” combines recipes, art and text to feed the body, mind and soul. Or
To understand some of the history of black culture and food, consider “Bound to the Fire: How Virginia’s Enslaved Cooks Helped Invent American Cuisine,” by Kelley Fanto Deetz. Deetz uses archaeologic evidence, cookbooks and plantation records to explore the untold history and contributions of black cooks in early America. Not only did these chefs shape the food culture of the time, but they also played an important role in determining political and social power. Their exemplary work elevated (diminished) the standing and political pull of high society enslavers, like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.
You can find a list of more books on African American food here.
Music
It’s hard to imagine a celebration of African American history without music, or music without the influence of African Americans. “Lift Every Voice: the History of African American Music” by Burton Peretti traces the the roots of Black music in Africa and slavery thru its evolution to modern genres. “Since their enslavement in West Africa and transport to plantations of the New World, black people have made music that has been deeply entwined with their religious, community and individual identities,” Peretti writes.
“Music is History,” by musician Questlove, pairs events and songs of the same year, exploring how music both reflects history and is history. In “The Rise and Fall of Paramount Records,” author Scott Blackwood recounts the success of a small label that turns to Black musicians and listeners for success. For more books about African American musical history and influence check out this list, or to listen to iconic black folk music, blues or jazz check out this list of CDs.
You can find a list of local events here.
How do you celebrate Juneteenth? We’d like to know! You can share your traditions (new or old) in this survey. Survey responses will be shared anonymously in a display or on social media.
