AFRICAN
No mention is made in primary historical source documents of any African persons in attendance during the 1621 Plymouth feast. However, Africans were present on American soil as a result of the slave trade.
The first recorded slave ship to make port in the English colonies was a Dutch vessel that conducted trade in Jamestown in 1619. However, Africans could have arrived on American soil even earlier since there was a well established 56-year old Spanish settlement at that time located southward in what is now modern day Florida.
Some ways to creatively acknowledge this part of our American story might include making, wearing, altering, or trading items that would have been used to purchase slaves at African ports. Such things as:
- Trade beads, which were large glass beads, not seed beads
- Pewter or silver spoons
- Iron and brass items such as pots and pans
Side table decorations might also include these items, or shockingly highlight “the price of a man in 1621.”
In our family we do not hesitate to shock with the historical truth. It honestly makes us more grateful for our social progress on Thanksgiving Day!
SPANISH
Mary and Phillip, courtesy Wiki Commons
Although the Spanish were also not present at the 1621 thanks-giving feast of Plymouth, in that time period they were well established in what is now Florida. It is a misnomer that Plymouth is our second surviving American settlement, and that 1607 Jamestown is our first. Our true first surviving “colony” on present day American soil was/is Florida’s St. Augustine, which was founded in 1565 by the Spanish.
Spain’s widowed King Phillip, who had been married to “Bloody Mary” of England (in 1554 for political purposes only), sought to claim territory in the Americas in order to expand his crown, and promote Catholicism.
With this in mind, some tie-ins for Reality Thanksgiving remembrances might include period Spanish decor, costumes (which looked essentially like the English), or early Catholic symbolism.
Note: Elaborate and beautiful 17th century Spanish flintlock pistol replicas are available on the market today. You can google to find them, or you may be able to find them on eBay. We found this replica at: A2armory.com/flintlocks/spn17flt.htm
17th Century Spanish Flintlock Pistol, courtesy A2Armory.com
Tags: ideas thanksgiving, spanish thanksgiving, happy thanksgiving spanish, ideas thanksgiving, america diversity in, alternative thanksgiving, unique thanksgiving, african american thanksgiving, all american thanksgiving
Tags: african american thanksgiving, all american thanksgiving, alternative thanksgiving, america diversity in, happy thanksgiving spanish, Ideas Thanksgiving, spanish thanksgiving, unique thanksgiving
Tags: african american thanksgiving, all american thanksgiving, alternative thanksgiving, america diversity in, happy thanksgiving spanish, Ideas Thanksgiving, spanish thanksgiving, unique thanksgiving
Posted October 2, 2009 by Admin under Cultural
