Sunday, June 19, 2022

Today is Juneteenth

 "Food and drink play an essential role in independence celebrations the world over. For many Black Americans, Independence Day is celebrated on June 19, or 'Juneteenth' — the day in 1865 when residents of Galveston, Texas, learned that slavery in the United States had been abolished, two months after the end of the Civil War and 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today’s Juneteenth celebrations take place everywhere: backyards, parks, as well as at large festivals and parades. And Congress finally got in on the action last year, declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday." (source: Washington Post)

Hibiscus Tea from the
Washington Post article.
Although Juneteenth just became a federal holiday last year, the event, with its theme of freedom and rights, has been celebrated for centuries, sometimes despite the risk to the people who were celebrating, as their rights were not always respected. A variety of food and drink was included in the celebration, especially red food and drink. Red foods had a long history: "the color red is often associated with ancestral reverence in West African traditions." Added to this tradition: "Juneteenth gatherings customarily feature red foods, which are used to symbolize resilience and joy." 

Some writers also associate the color red with the blood shed by the slaves. For example in the TV series "High on the Hog" a descendant of people who were freed on the original Juneteenth explained about red food: "It was a reminder, in a lot of ways," Eugene Thomas said. "Of the blood that was shed prior to the Emancipation, by all those that came before us that did not get the chance to taste the freedom that we're tasting right now." (source)

Traditional African hibiscus ginger tea was a red beverage that continued to be popular among the enslaved Americans and then among their free descendants, and it has recently been popularized again as an import from the Caribbean. In the past, many red beverages were enjoyed, including in many families, drinking red Kool-Aid! The book Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine One Plate at a Time by Adrian Miller presents a detailed exploration of how red Kool-Aid relates to traditional African beverages. For a detailed history of how the African hibiscus plant was imported from Africa to the American South, and how it influenced many American red beverages, see "The History of Hibiscus Drinks in the African Diaspora."

For many recipes and ideas for Juneteenth food traditions, like this drink,
see 
The Soul Food Pot, "12 Juneteenth Red Foods."

Celebrating Juneteenth in the past has had challenges, as well as joys. Author Melanie McFarland, writing at Salon.com, says: "History tells us that the earliest Juneteenth celebrations were joyful, but they took place under threat of violence – which also made celebrating the holiday an act of defiance. Surely our ancestors dreamed of many of the freedoms and opportunities Black folks take for granted today." (source)

Honoring history by learning the facts about traditional foods is exciting for many people -- including me. Author Michael Twitty has written a great deal about his research into the African-American food of his forebears, honoring them through his efforts. I particularly enjoyed his book The Cooking Gene: reviewed here

In an interview, Twitty was asked what he hoped to learn by studying what his ancestors ate and drank, and he replied:

"It’s not just a question of what did they eat, it’s a question of how did they take agency and ownership over their lives, over their food supply. When you open up the average American textbook you never, ever see the enslaved Black person as thinker. They make us look like pets. They make us look like people who simply didn’t have any sort of agency, ownership, curating, caretaking of their own reality. It’s also about acknowledging that in a lot of cultures, especially where there is oppression and marginalization, it’s a gesture of love. Anything that gives you pleasure, happiness, joy in your culture, it’s a gesture of love. Especially in Black traditions, sharing a beverage, sharing food—especially food that’s rare, seasonal, a delicacy—it’s love." (source)

Blog post © 2022 mae sander. Quotes and photos as attributed. 

30 comments:

Jenn Jilks said...

I had not heard of this until recently. Thanks for explaining it.
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

Harvee said...

Oops, I just found out from your blog that June 19 is a federal holiday. Enjoy your reading.

thecuecard said...

Thanks for reminding us about this new holiday. I will think about it today.

Divers and Sundry said...

It's a sad holiday in its way, that it took so long to let everybody here. It's a big deal here in Memphis. That drink looks refreshing.

Yvonne said...

Great post. It's important to recognize this holiday.

Have a great week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Congress took a long time to make this an official holiday. The drink looks refreshing and tasty! Have a happy Sunday!

thathappyreader said...

Interesting post. Let’s hope that this holiday serves to bring about awareness and creates a more level playing field for all Americans.

Jeanie said...

A well deserved holiday. That red tea looks refreshing -- especially on a super hot day.

Terrie said...

Such great info! Thanks for the info and extensive effort to put it all together. And, thanks for the visit to my site.... Happy Reading this week.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I think I will make some hibiscus tea in honor of today. I would make some mac and cheese, but it will probably take too long the way I make it (much like the Black way). Thanks for sharing this with us today because it's definitely a holiday that we should embrace.

Iris Flavia said...

And still too many people are not free. But it´s a good day to point on this.

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

Thank you for sharing this tradition of red drinks with us, and the meaning behind them. I think I would prefer drinking hibiscus coloured drinks, rather than KoolAid.

Hena Tayeb said...

Thanks for the detailed post. The kids and I watched some youtube videos this morning about Juneteenth to help explain the day to them.

jinxxxygirl said...

I had heard it was made a federal holiday... Great post about it.. Happy T day! Hugs! deb

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Thanks for making this a T Tuesday post, Mae.

Linda Kunsman said...

Let us hope that by making this a Federal holiday it will also bring much more awareness and understanding.
Happy T day!

Kate Yetter said...

Refreshing drinks to celebrate this new holiday.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

My name is Erika. said...

Interesting that red drinks and foods are associated with Juneteenth. I think it's great we have this new holiday, and reading more about it through food is interesting also. Have a great T day Mae. Hugs-Erika

Sharon Madson said...

Educational post; thank you, Mae. Happy T Day.

Carola Bartz said...

Just before I read your post I had made a pot of a hibiscus drink that I drank in Egypt every day, Karkade. It's steeping right now and I hope to enjoy it tomorrow which is supposed to be a very hot day. Happy T day.

H.R. Bennett said...

It's weird to admit, but I actually wasn't even aware of Juneteenth until two years ago. I don't know if it just became 'bigger' than or something, but I legitimately hadn't heard of it.

EricaSta said...

Yes, Hibiskus is very good to drink ... In summertime, as well in Winter.
Happy T Day

Valerie-Jael said...

Thanks for another ver interesting and informative post, especially good for people like me, who don't know the history of the various celebrations etc. in the States. Happy T Day, Valerie

DVArtist said...

Very nice post and that tea looks so good.

Lisca said...

How interesting! I didn't know about Juneteenth. Thanks for explaining that.
I wrote about hibiscus drinks in my comment to Kathy. I hadn't yet read your post then.
Happy T-Day,
Lisca

CJ Kennedy said...

I enjoyed learning more about the holiday and foods. Sadly, this chapter was lacking in the history I learned. Happy T Day

pearshapedcrafting said...

This is completely new to me, and very interesting! We have plans to watch a programme about how post war migrants from the West Indies influenced British Culture. There is also a series at the moment about the story of Asians who came to the UK in the 50's.
In answer to your question about Butte Rouge - that is in the North of Paris - 19th arrondissement, Butte aux Cailles is in the 13th. Happy T Day, Chrisx

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

We've always had huge Juneteenth celebrations here in my part of the world since it began only a few miles from where I live. It's wonderful to celebrate this holiday nationwide. I think I will take a few moments now to think about how grateful I am that slavery was finally abolished in America and how happy I am that we can move, albeit slowly, to a place where people can all live and work and play together happily.

Marianne said...

That's some great information. Thank you so much, Mae. I never heard of Juneteenth even though I know plenty of Americans and have read lots of books about slavery. It's not as generally known as the celebrations on 4th of July or Thanksgiving. Mmmh, I wonder why ...

Empire of the Cat said...

Glad they are making this a holiday now. Sorry for my lateness. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx