Dr. Emmanuel Francis to Launch Book on The Saxons!

Just in time for the Junkanoo season, Doongalik Studios announces the Book Launch of ‘The History of the Saxons Junkanoo Group (The Early Years) Stories of a Forgotten Bahamian Culture’ by Dr Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Francis on Friday, December 13 from 6-9pm. Dr Francis stated that “the book is dedicated to the memory of the late Jackson Logan Burnside III, a brilliant and gifted Bahamian architect, artist and cultural activist. The hallmark of his legacy lay in his belief that, by 2020, more tourists would come to the Bahamas for our art, culture and heritage than for sun, sand and sea. Jackson constantly admonished us to tell our stories. His zeal for the preservation of our cultural identity and the revelation of its importance to our national development has inspired me to write this historical account, as well as my junkanoo handbook. “This historical publication on junkanoo was produced at the behest of Hon. Desmond Bannister on the occasion of presenting him, as then Minister of Education, with copies of my first publication, Manual of Junkanoo Costume Construction–A Beginners Guide to Junkanoo Design (2011). The goal of that exercise was to provide a simple instructional handbook which junkanoo group leaders, teachers, parents and craftsmen could use to educate group members and students in the basics of junkanoo costume construction. This would ensure that costumes be custom made and that participants be more responsible for producing their own costumes. Minister Bannister intimated that a book on the history of Junkanoo groups was also necessary to augment the manual as the first true textbooks for the practical and didactic components of a long overdue junkanoo curriculum.” Dr Francis’ goal in writing this Saxons’ historical account was to present the Bahamian public with an accurate account of the group’s formation and early days (up to the 1970s). Hopefully it would also inspire others to chronicle the group’s development from that point onwards. Dr Francis intends that the book, as the former Minister of Education stated, would be used as a junkanoo textbook in the classrooms. The book is self published and only a limited amount of copies will be available for sale at the Launch, along with his other publications. Dr Francis also stated that “Jackson’s insistence that we “see what you’re looking at” was the inspiration for my newest publication, ‘Morning Meditations in Paradise: Bahamian reflections at Sunrise’, which presents 99 images of our beautiful country along with meditations on the God who created it. I thank you, Jackson for showing me how to see the real purpose and value of the things we too often take for granted: Our rich, unique and fascinating cultural heritage.” Dr Francis, a professional Dentist, is the brother of the leader of the Saxons, Percy ‘Vola’ Francis and was intimately involved in the development of the group as a designer and builder for 20 years. In 2003 he left the popular ‘A’ group to become a part of the ‘B’ group, One Love Soldiers. For further information please contact the Gallery at 394-1886 or doongalikart@batelnet.bs.