1803 "Pinkster" celebrations in Albany NY

[Strumelia]

This is pretty interesting"

http://exhibitions.nysm.nysed.gov//albany/res/pinkster.html#aa

"This great festival of the negroes when slavery existed in the state, and when every family of wealth or distinction possessed one or more slaves, took place usually in May, and continued an entire week."

In the Pinkster Ode, dated 1803, there are various mentions of musical instruments used- fiddles, hollow drum, flute, fife, "Jews Harp", two mentions of the banjo, and two mentions of "pipe and tabor".  Also a mention of whistling  "yankee doodle do".

A glimpse into early Albany by way of poetic festival description.

And then there's this... the official repeal of the 1811 banning of the Pinkster holiday, 200 years later, in Albany NY:

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/An-injustice-undone-after...

[Strumelia]

It's a great article, 'Ode', and description. Lots of things to be gleaned from it in so many ways.