By: La Shawna Griffith
For cultural practitioner Jennifer Sealy, St. John is more than a parish, it is home, heart, and heritage. Her voice brims with warmth and nostalgia as she recounts her deep-rooted connection to the eastern parish, capturing exactly what We Gatherin’ sets out to celebrate: the people who have shaped the fabric of our communities.
“I am a resident of St. John. I would have to say that I was born in St. John. I have lived in St. John,” Sealy shares, adding with quiet pride, “I’m a St. John girl.” Though she now lives in Wanstead with her mother, Jennifer’s ties to St. John remain unshaken. Her family home still stands, and her love for the parish is as potent as ever.
Jennifer grew up in an extended family under the watchful eyes of her grandparents. Her grandfather worked as a bookkeeper at Cliff Plantation and made frequent weekend visits, leaving Sealy with enduring memories of love and devotion. “We saw a lot of love because we didn’t have television in those days… I actually saw a man kiss his wife for the first time when he would come home,” she recalls.
Like many Barbadians from rural communities, her memories are intertwined with memories of sugar cane, the scent of freshly cut stalks, and the joy of sucking cane offered by cutters who knew your name. “We were used to grinding our own cane juice in the yard,” she laughs.
But Jennifer’s roots in St. John extend beyond family and foliage they include her rich contributions to the island’s cultural landscape. A career educator and proud cultural advocate, Sealy began teaching at Society Primary School where she nurtured children in the arts, introducing them to folk singing and dance. “Those were glorious days,” she remembers. “We learnt a lot and did a lot with the children at that time.”
From church services at St. John Parish Church and Mount Tabor to community gatherings at Gull Hill Social Centre and the St. John Dramatic and Folk Singing Group, Jennifer’s upbringing was steeped in cultural and spiritual tradition. “Mount Tabor holds a special place in my heart,” she says, noting it as the place where her mother went to school and taught up until her retirement. Her sister Angela, now deceased, is also buried there, making every visit deeply personal.
Now, as a proud member of We Gatherin St. John Parish Organizing Committee, Sealy sees the celebration as an opportunity to honour not just the place, but the people who make it special. “I like the whole understanding of community,” she says. “I’m happy and privileged to be working with a team led by Danielle Bishop. We have some very committed, dedicated, knowledgeable people.”
For those looking to connect with St. John in the most Barbadian way possible, Jennifer recommends a few good food stops; Lemon Arbour, Martin’s Bay Tavern, and a small eatery near Carter’s dairy farm.
Though she may not reside there full time, Jennifer Sealy’s heart will always beat in rhythm with the hills, heritage, and history of St. John. Through her story, We Gatherin’ reminds us that home is not just a location it is a legacy.
