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Anguilla Culture
The culture of Anguilla is a mixture of its unique heritage: the Amerindians, the European settlers and the imported African slaves.
Most festivals and holidays celebrate important historical events that have helped to shape the island's culture. The annual Summer Festival is the most spectacular. The festival is held in August and begins on a Monday at 5:00 a.m. with an early-morning jam called the J'Ouvert Morning. During this festival the emancipation of African slaves on Anguilla is celebrated. The festivities include dancing, parades, fairs, and other colorful events.
Sailboat racing is as important and celebrated on Anguilla as cricket is on other Caribbean islands. The islanders hold the first sailboat race of the season on Easter Monday. Sailboat racing on the island is a special event. Hundreds of local people, as well as tourists, gather round the island shores to witness the breathtaking races taking place.
Some English holidays like the Queen's Birthday and Whit Monday are also celebrated in Anguilla. May 30 is a very special day for the Anguillans: Anguilla Day. On that day, in 1967, the Saint Kitts police were forced to leave Anguilla.
In order to preserve the island's heritage, natural resources, and culture, the Anguilla National Trust (ANT), was established in 1993. The ANT diligently oversees the operation of Anguilla's national parks, protected areas, and museums, and also educates the public about the importance of the island's natural resources and historical sites.