About this Event
Edinburgh900: Stepping out of the Shadows
Salty Seas Series of Stories - an Edinburgh900 project that sheds light on historic figures whose lives were affected by slavery and the abolitionist movement in Scotland.
This musical storytelling production introduces dramatised versions of historic events and portrayals of real and fictional characters, including John Edmonstone, Joseph Knight and Ann Thompson, David Hume, and Quamina and Jack Gladstone. Join us for musical and poetic interpretations of their stories and their impact on Scotland of the past and present.
The selection of stories is based on various sources, including research by Lisa Williams commissioned for Historic Environment Scotland and the development of this project. By bringing these stories to life, Morgan Njobo, co-composer, lyricist and vocalist, and Ramcise Modie, co-composer and music arranger, explore new interpretations and narratives created for the dramatic, evocative and satirical components of the production.
Funded as part of the Edinburgh 900 Civic Fund Programme. This Black History Month contribution is hosted under the auspices of the Edinburgh Multicultural Festival by African Connections CIC.
The event is free but ticketed.
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John Edmonstone
John Edmonstone, born on plantation in Guyana, Mbiri Creek, was a black taxidermy teacher at the University of Edinburgh working at its zoological museum. He is well-known for being Charles Darwin’s tutor who learnt the art of preserving animal skins from John that later informed the development of the theory of evolution. Edmonstone first arrived to Glasgow and later lived Edinburgh, at Lothian Street, where he also run a store selling stuffed birds and animals to the Victorian-era collectors.
Watch the Unveiling of His Statue
David Hume
In the period of the so-called Scottish Enlightenment, many accomplished scholars debated humanity and shaped arguments surrounding the societal rights and wrongs. The song entitled ‘The Dark Side of the Enlightenment’ explores the concepts that were introduced to the socio-political debate of the time, including empiricism, sociology and race ideology by philosophers, including David Hume.
Discover the 'Dark Side of the Enlightenment'
Joseph Knight and Ann Thompson (Knight vs Wedderburn)
Joseph Knight and Ann Thompson were no ordinary couple. Their case against Mr Wedderburn, a Scottish landowner who made a fortune in slave sugar in the West Indies, turned the tide on slavery in Scotland. Knight vs Wedderburn is considered a historic legal battle that led to the abolishment of slavery granting freedom not only to Joseph Knight, who was brought to Scotland from Jamaica, but also making it illegal for anyone in Scotland to own slaves.
Listen to their story that changed the world
Quamina and Jack Gladstone
The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed in 1807, until then the Scottish plantations continued their operations exploiting enslaved people and working them to death. One of the most known revolts against the British colonial rule was the Demerara rebellion of 1823. It was started at the Gladstone plantation called ‘Success’ and led by the enslaved father and his son, Quamina and Jack Gladstone. Guyana-born Quamina was a carpenter. They both lived and worked at a Scottish merchant's, Sir John Gladstone's, plantation who was born on King Street in Leith, north of Edinburgh. Join their revolt for freedom and dignity
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Cornerstone Centre St John’s, Princes Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
