Culture and Tradition – Petchary's Blog

The Jamaican Government “celebrates” the 75th anniversary of the Windrush

May 21, 2023

The Government of Jamaica will “celebrate” the 75th anniversary of the departure of the Empire Windrush from Jamaica, carrying over 1,000 hopeful Caribbean people, in June 1948. But what is there to celebrate? Back in the UK, racist immigration policies persist, and there are many personal stories of grief and injustice. … More The Jamaican Government “celebrates” the 75th anniversary of the Windrush

Jamaican Kwame McPherson wins Commonwealth Short Story Regional Prize for the Caribbean

May 16, 2023

Kingston-born Kwame McPherson has won the Caribbean Regional Prize in the Commonwealth Short Story Competition for his story, “Ocoee,” a narrative fusing a terrible racist attack in the U.S. 100 years ago with Caribbean folklore. Congratulations Kwame! The overall winner will be announced on June 27. … More Jamaican Kwame McPherson wins Commonwealth Short Story Regional Prize for the Caribbean

“Dear Future Earth…” Jamaican students reflect at the Institute of Jamaica

April 30, 2023

The Natural History Museum of Jamaica’s Earth Day competition awards ceremony took place at the Institute of Jamaica recently, with lots of cheers, photo ops, prizes and an inspirational talk from youth climate activist Mario Galbert. … More “Dear Future Earth…” Jamaican students reflect at the Institute of Jamaica

Traditional folk is alive and well in Jamaica’s popular culture

April 17, 2023

The underpinnings of Jamaican culture are in its folk life: dance, music, speech. Or rather, it’s an undercurrent. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission maintains this tradition, which is thriving, says Michael Holgate. … More Traditional folk is alive and well in Jamaica’s popular culture

Support apprentices rebuilding a historic house in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica

April 12, 2023

I spent quite a lot of my childhood getting lost in museums: returning the glassy stares of stuffed animals at the Natural History Museum in London, and peering at strange objects in cases, flint arrowheads and pottery created by mysterious humans thousands of years ago. I found the Science Museum baffling, altogether. Well, museums have … More Support apprentices rebuilding a historic house in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica

“A Fi Wi Republic” campaign kicks off this month

April 4, 2023

“A FI WI REPUBLIC”! Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that “it is time that Jamaica becomes a republic” and a Constitutional Reform Committee is in place. Advocates Network is challenging Jamaicans to consider, and join an online/community discussion. … More “A Fi Wi Republic” campaign kicks off this month

The burning hills and the Kingston chain saw massacre

March 13, 2023

Now, many Jamaicans seem to feel that fires start all by themselves; unless, that is, it’s a building that is on fire, in which case there is always the possibility of it being deliberately set. Truth be told, many fires are started by us humans, whether vengefully or not. … More The burning hills and the Kingston chain saw massacre

Meet the Book Industry Association of Jamaica’s inaugural Literacy Heroes

March 7, 2023

The Book Industry Association of Jamaica is about to present its inaugural Literacy Hero Awards to a sustainable community library project in Rose Town, a social media reading campaign led by a mother and son duo, a Pan-African mobile bookstore, and a foundation for children with intellectual disabilities to honour the memory of a beloved “bookworm” sister. APPLAUSE! … More Meet the Book Industry Association of Jamaica’s inaugural Literacy Heroes

JNHT working towards reopening Blue Lagoon in shortest possible time

March 4, 2023

In my last post, I wrote about the protests at Blue Lagoon in Portland today; the dust-laden chaos that prevails over the area due to road works; and most importantly, about the lack of information on the Blue Lagoon’s fate, since its closure last August. As it was declared a National Monument in 2018, this … More JNHT working towards reopening Blue Lagoon in shortest possible time

Why is Portland, Jamaica, in such a mess?

March 4, 2023

I hope the eastern side of Portland will eventually recover. Six years ago, I wrote an article about the “slow decay” in the parish of Portland, on the eastern end of the island. The eastern side of the parish is regularly described as green, lush, peaceful, off the beaten track, etc. Back in the 1980s … More Why is Portland, Jamaica, in such a mess?