A full moon and a campfire will provide the atmosphere, and storytellers will provide the chills as Crucian Heritage and Nature Tours Inc. (CHANT) presents its annual Jumbie Talk event Saturday night at Mt. Victory Camp in St. Croix’s west-side rainforest.
The gate opens at 4 p.m., dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the storytelling will continue until "jumbies dem run we."
Jumbies are spirits, a Caribbean tradition brought to the islands from Africa. Usually they’re malevolent spirits, but sometimes the story has a moral, often involving the value of obeying your parents.
As George Franklin, author of the book, "A Bunch Ah Real Jumbie Stories, Mehson," explains it, "The difference between a jumbie and a ghost is dis – yes? A ghost is Yank and a jumbie done be Crucian. We ain’t got ghost in de Virgin Islands."
Every island has a slightly different take on the jumbie depending on its ethnic roots and oral tradition. On St. Crox that tradition is deep and rich, and in past CHANT Jumbie Nights scores of storytellers have come to share the fun.
Frandelle Gerard, executive director of CHANT, said Crucian storytellers have been polishing their tales in preparation for the event, and audience members are also invited to the open mike to share their own jumbie stories. In years past, those stories offered from the audience have been among the evening’s highlights.
But while the stories are the centerpiece, they are far from the only event on the agenda. There’s a full evening of entertainment for the price of admission.
The evening will kick off with the drummers call by Asche Akoma, a women’s African drum troupe, followed by (as the sun begins to fade) a hike down Creque Dam Road led by St. Croix’s Bush Lady, Veronica Gordon. During the hike she will point out places along the road that are supposed to be haunted.
After those who brave the hike return, dinner Bully and the Musical Kafooners will provide entertainment, and dinner will be served at 7:30. The feast is a collection of Crucian dishes provided by West End Grill, Uca’s Kitchen and more. Gerard said this year they have added a few food stations, including both veggie and beef hamburgers and pates.
Then come the stories.
But there won’t be a lot of changes, Gerard said, because the program works.
"We’ve been really fortunate," she said. "When this was originally put together by former (executive director) Oceana James, she got it right. The format is really good."
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children; and dinner tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets are avalable at Applause in Sunny Isles, Dive Experience in Christiansted and Polly’s at the Pier on Frederiksted Waterfront. Tickets are also available at the CHANT office and will be sold at the gate.
Further information is available by calling CHANT at 340-719-5455 or via email.
