South Trelawny Yam Festival

We first learned of the South Trelawny [Jamaica] Environmental Association via Adam Rhoads' article about their efforts to protect the venerated "Cockpit Country" of Jamaica

the S.T.E.A. also helps to put on the annual South Trelawny Yam Festival, which appears to be one of the most wonderful events anywhere

Adam just sent us an email saying:

With cricket world cup [in Jamaica] in the spring this year's yam festival would be an
excellent one to attend, you should try to come down

We will certainly be there in spirit this year. It's hard for us ag workers to take off during March and April. Any time of year visiting Cockpit Country would be unbounded joy

picture at left: Yam Queen of 1999, Ms. Philicia Grant

Agricultural /seasonal /local festivals offer a precious opportunity ( no joke!) to connect with the soul of a place and with the people who live there

One highlight for us of such a festival in the area where we live: the Lummi Stommish festival in the summer

we've made numerous friends during Stommish, and experienced water and the sea and its bounty in ways we could not have imagined otherwise

traditional festivals can encapsulate a great deal of awareness and understanding without bothering to describe it at all

maybe you'll notice some interesting festivals of this sort which you could attend next year !