Our Story…
Tambufest is a kumina festival Junior "Gabu" Wedderburn and Deborah A. Thomas have co-organized with Nicholas "Rocky" Allen and the St. Thomas Kumina Collective since 2018 in Jamaica and beyond. The idea for Tambufest emerged when we were looking for ways to generate grassroots discussions about political and drug-related violence in Jamaica. Our intention with Tambufest is to create the conditions for dignity, healing, and collectivity. It is a festival that is part community fun day, part discussion, and part performed ritual practice designed to bring people together in community to reflect on issues that affect their lives.
MOVEMENT .
MOVEMENT .
Feel the Vibrations…
As ritual, Kumina interweaves spiritual, linguistic, musical, and movement practices that connect the Bongo Nation to their ancestors through possession by spirits.
Percussion accompany Kumina rituals, and along with singers, dancers, and their Queen, form part of the hosting group (or "band"). Listen to a sample of the music here.
SOUND .
SOUND .
Experience the Ritual & Celebration…
Catch a glimpse of one of our past Tambufests in 2022 below. Featuring performances by Port Maria Jonkonnu Group, Charles Town Maroon Drummers, Lynval’s African Descendants, the Manchioneal Cultural Group, the Kingston Drummers, and the St. Thomas Kumina Collective.
Speakers were: Devon Taylor, Director of JABBEM, the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement; Ms. Cynthia Miller, one of the organizers who worked to prevent Winnifred Beach from being privatized.
Libations were performed by Drs. Robert and Althea Vassall
SPIRIT .
SPIRIT .
