By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2017, Denise N. Fyffe 1962 we were reborn an independent land Lush green hills and brilliant aqua waters in the Caribbean span The sun set on August 6th and we were birthed a new nation Not a giant, but we had the beginnings, perseverance and culture to be one; … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Independent Jamaica
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2017, Poetess Defy, Denise N. Fyffe Now tell mi if di journalist nuh mad, Fi go look pon 20 foot wave, A wash pon land. Afta yuh see sey one camera man almost drown, Yuh a try get shot of Palisadoes grung; Is anyting else damage? Is yuh car … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Dis Journalist Mad
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2012, Poetess Defy, Denise N. Fyffe Dean met a woman he had never before seen, One wid a vision and a rising dream. He thought he would pay har a devastating trip; Taking his friends Chaos and Gusty Winds, Just for the fun of it. Mama Portia sey ‘God, … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Mama Portia and Dean
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2012, Poetess defy, Denise N. Fyffe Jamaica is gorgeous but just like many women, she is truly unaware of the magnitude of that Jamaican beauty. This is the symptom of those who are blessed to live in island paradises like Hawaii, Bora Bora or even Aruba. They tend to … Continue reading Jamaica, She is Royal
The internationally acclaimed Sumfest happened last weekend, right here in lil ol’ Mobay. We had Trey ladies-keep-your-panties-on Songz and Damian sexiest-rasta-alive Marley headlining the two international nights, though I hear Shabba Ranks stole the show on Friday night. Not that I’m entirely certain who Shabba Ranks is. . .
Reggae Sumfest has origins way back before I was a twinkle in my mother’s eye when it started out as Reggae
Sunsplash, an annual festival of Jamaican music that everyone in my parents’ generation likes to bring up as their version of “back when music was actually good”. But my point is that Sumfest has been around for a while, and judging by the consistently insane crowds it draws, it will probably be around for a while longer. Which is a good thing, because I have never been to Sumfest.
It’s kind of sad, really. It happens almost literally in my backyard every year, and every year it comes, I wave, and it passes on its merry, memorable way. It’s a quintessential Jamaican, nay, Montegonian experience that I have yet to acquire. That is a travesty. At first I was too young to go to Sumfest and then as I grew older, I grew less interested in the artistes that were actually showing up. I mean, you wouldn’t catch me dead at Dancehall Night (no offense, but there’s no way I’m paying almost $8000 just to bend over and back it up). And there was this whole phase where I swore off concerts unless a rock band was involved. I’m serious; I joined the Facebook group to prove it.
So Sumfest continues to be marketed as the greatest show on earth, with that iconic symbol of a dancing Rasta (that may or may not be Robert Nesta) pushing its brand beyond local borders. It’s one in a long list of things that keep Jamaica being the leading Caribbean destination (sorry, other touristy islands) and keep Montego Bay being one seriously awesome second city. So what if I haven’t been to Sumfest once in the twenty years I’ve been alive? Maybe I’ll go the year they finally get Fall Out Boy as headliners.
Pax.
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- Sumfest, Commemorating 20-Year History (repeatingislands.com)
The internationally acclaimed Sumfest happened last weekend, right here in lil ol’ Mobay. We had Trey ladies-keep-your-panties-on Songz and Damian sexiest-rasta-alive Marley headlining the two international nights, though I hear Shabba Ranks stole the show on Friday night. Not that I’m entirely certain who Shabba Ranks is. . .
Reggae Sumfest has origins way back before I was a twinkle in my mother’s eye when it started out as Reggae Sunsplash, an annual festival of Jamaican music that everyone in my parents’ generation likes to bring up as their version of “back when music was actually good”. But my point is that Sumfest has been around for a while, and judging by the consistently insane crowds it draws, it will probably be around for a while longer. Which is a good thing, because I have never been to Sumfest.
It’s kind of sad, really. It happens almost literally in…
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Our Jamaica 50 Song….What the Hell Is It?.
National Fruit – The Ackee (Blighia sapida) “Carry me ackee go a Linstead Market, not a quattie wud sell” is a line in the popular Jamaican folk song ‘Linstead Market’. Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica as well as a component of the national dish – ackee and codfish. Although the ackee is … Continue reading Jamaican History: Jamaica National Fruit – The Ackee
The Jamaica National Flag The Jamaica National Flag was first raised on Independence Day, August 6, 1962. It signifies the birth of our nation. The Flag brings to mind memories of past achievements and gives inspiration towards further success. It is flown on many triumphant occasions, showing the pride that Jamaicans have in their … Continue reading Jamaican History : Jamaica Flag
The Jamaican Coat of Arms The Jamaican national motto is ‘Out of Many One People’, based on the population’s multi-racial roots. The motto is represented on the Coat of Arms, showing a male and female member of the Taino tribe standing on either side of a shield which bears a red cross with five golden … Continue reading Jamaican History: Jamaican Coat of Arms
National Flower – Lignum Vitae (Guiacum officinale) The Lignum Vitae was found here by Christopher Columbus. Its name, when translated from Latin, means “wood of life” – probably adopted because of its medicinal qualities. The short, compact tree is native to continental tropical American and the West Indies. In Jamaica it grows best in the … Continue reading Jamaican History: Jamaica National Flower – Lignum Vitae
Jamaica Pen Publishers 