CARIBBEAN NEWS
Volume 3, Number 1
March 2005
IMPORTANT UPDATE - 3/22/05
KINGSTON, JAMAICA (ARAWAKROOTS NEWS)- Ska/Reggae pioneer Justin Hinds lost his battle with lung cancer the night of March 16. He was 62 years old.
Born in 1942 in Steertown, St. Ann Jamaica, Justin made his mark in the early '60's with his group, The Dominoes (Dennis Sinclair and Junior Dixon) on Duke Reid's Treasure Isles label. This was the same time The Wailers were at Studio One. His ska hits included "The Higher the Monkey Climb", "Rub Up Push Up", and "Jump Out A Fryin' Pan".
It was the dawning of Rock Steady music that gave The Dominoes their signature tune, "Carry Go Bring Home". Also from that period, "Almond Tree".
His biggest hit from the reggae era was the immortal "Natty Take Over", as Justin Hinds and the Dominoes.
Justin's constant touring kept his name up in lights in America and Europe, even though he hadn't released any new product in years. That was all about to change, according to noted reggae historian/DJ "Postman" Roger Gillies. Gillies states that Hinds had been in England recording with Keith Richards at the helm producing and that it's some of the best tracks Justin ever recorded. It's sad that these things are usually issued post-humously, but hopefully we will all soon here the final recordings of Justin Hinds. Selah!
ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI DAILY NEWS- 1/25/05)- The USVI's coastlines are in good condition compared with those of the rest of the nation, according to a report released by the EPA. Overall the nation's coastlines are in fair condition.
Based on the data available, the Virgin Islands received a positive rating. Puerto Rico's coastlines on the other hand, received a poor rating.
Of the territory's assessed shores, 86% fully support their designated uses such as commercial and recreational fishing, boating, tourism, and other coastal industries.; 10% are threatened for one or more uses; and the remaining 4% are impaired by some form of pollution or habitat degradation. Nationally, 21% of coastal areas are in good condition, 35% have problems and 44% are threatened for marine life or human use.
The Virgin Islands main environmental problems are sediment and loss of habitat- mainly mangroves, seagrasses and reef systems. While some of the territory's challenges- hurricanes and coral diseases, for example- are beyond local control, human development can make problems worse by stressing the ecosystem.
ST. JOHN, USVI (VI DAILY NEWS- 3/11/05)- Virgin Islands coral reefs have changed for the worse during the last 25 years, according to a report released by the advocacy group The Ocean Conservancy. The report calls attention to the reefs' degraded condition in an attempt to inspire discussion among government officials, scientists, fishermen and others regarding ways to preserve and heal coral reefs.
The report describes the result of years of slow decline of the territory's reefs, fish population and water quality. For example, living coral covers 20% of most reefs- compared with 40% 25 years ago. Meanwhile, diseases such as white plague are found on corals as deep as 90 feet. Written in layman's terms by a team of scientists, educators and specialists, the report compiles a host of data into a single volume. In addition, it features interviews with local residents including Guy Benjamin; Fred Samuels, owner of Fred's Restaurant and Bar,; and fisherman Edmond Roberts.
With the goal of deepening appreciation for the reefs as living systems, the Ocean Conservancy report describes the current state of the islands' reefs, their relationship to seagrass meadows and mangrove forests, local research activities that are contributing to reef study worldwide and the agencies responsible for managing the reefs. Ocean Conservancy President Roger Rufe said, "This is the first report we have done on coral reefs in a specific geographical area."
To obtain a copy of the report, visit www.oceanconservancy.org.
ST. THOMAS, USVI (VI DAILY NEWS- 1/24/05)- The crisp scent of burning wood mixed with the aroma of bubbling ital dishes over open flames, among other attractions, lured countless Virgin Islanders to the 8th Annual Bordeaux Farmers' Rastafari Agricultural and Cultural Food Fair. Hundreds attending the 2-day event took the opportunity to sample ital dishes and enjoy the sights and sounds of the fair. And it was clear that the festival- which has grown from a small cluster of vendors to a celebration featuring music, farm tours and demonstrations and more than 60 vendors from across the Virgin Islands- has come of age.
During the event, Earl "Ras Zimba" Bedford, who grows several types of produce on the steep Bordeaux hillsides, was honored as Farmer of the Year. People of various ethnic backgrounds mingled as Rastas prepared ital meals using age-old methods.
Several vendors from St. Croix also sold wares at the event. "We crossed the waters to show our brotherly love", said Asheba Samuel.
Virgin Islands Senator Terrance Nelson, attending the fair for the first time said, "Agriculture has real potential- it only makes sense. The vibrations are positive. I wish to see more like this."
IN OTHER NEWS AROUND THE REGION AND DIASPORA:
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (BBC/CARIBBEAN- 2/1/05)- Thousands of Rastafarians and music fans are gathering in Ethiopia to begin a month of events to mark what would have been Bob Marley's 60th birthday. It is the first time the annual celebrations are being held outside the reggae legend's native Jamaica.
Ethiopia was chosen because Rastafarians, such as Marley, regard the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari) as their spiritual leader. Marley's widow, Rita has said one day she wants him reburied in Ethiopia. (see following story.)
Netsanet Asfaw, Ethiopia's minister of state for information, said her country was pleased to be hosting the events. "Bob Marley put Ethiopia on a pedestal and it is in his honour that this festival is taking place here."
Under the banner Africa Unite, the month-long events will include concerts, a film festival, seminars and a fundraiser. There will also be celebrations in Shashemene, where a Rastafarian community has settled on land left to them by Selassie.
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (BBC/CARIBBEAN- 1/29/05)- The widow of reggae superstar Bob Marley has reiterated that his body, now interred in his Jamaican birthplace, would eventually be re-buried in Ethiopia to comply with his wishes.
"It was a dream of Bob's and it is a dream of the family to bury him in Ethiopia, but there is no time set to this end", Rita Marley told reporters here. Similar comments attributed to her in early January created a storm of controversy in Jamaica, prompting some to say it would rob the island of its national heritage.
"As we believe in what is to be must be, it will happen in due course.", she said. As such, Addis Ababa was seen as the natural venue for the 60th birthday "Africa Unite" celebrations that are expected to attract some 200,000 visitors. Rita Marley, the African Union and the United Nations Childrens Fund have organised the celebrations.
CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AFP- 3/12/05)- President Hugo Chavez offered his support for Iran's nuclear development plans while attacking the U.S. for trying to "impose its doctrine, its politics and its interests on the world." Speaking after talks with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, Chavez declared that Iran has "all the right to develop its atomic energy", and that Venezuela opposes any attempts "to deny Iranians this right." He spoke after signing some 20 agreements with Khatami on cooperation on the oil and petrochemical industries, taxes, commerce and construction.
Both countries are founding members of OPEC. Despite tense relations, Venezuela is a leading oil exporter to the U.S. A State Dept. official for Latin America stated, "Despite the U.S.'s efforts to establish a normal working relationship with his government, Hugo Chavez continues to define himself in opposition to us."
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND (BBC/CARIBBEAN- 3/10/05)- A course in Jamaican patois has sparked a great deal of interest among students at City College here. The school recently started a Jamaican Language and Culture course.
Course facilitator Heather Reid said their are two main reasons for introducing the program. which targets people of Jamaican descent already fluent in patois. "There is a large section of the population who are taught as children that they shouldn't speak it, that patois is bad English, or an improper, unacceptable way of speaking.", she said. The course seeks to challenge that perception and encourage people to value it as an important part of their culture.
The other reason is to break down some of the stereotypes surrounding Jamaicans living in the U.K. and insure that they are not misunderstood because of how they speak.
Successful candidates enrolled in the course will receive a nationally recognised certificate which will officially show that they are speakers of Jamaican patois. Ms. Reid said the course is just one of several intiatives she is embarking on to increase awareness and understanding of Jamaican culture here in England.
IN OTHER ARAWAKROOTS NEWS:
Please don't forget the intensive flooding problems created by torrential rainfall this past January in Guyana and Suriname. CARICOM has mobilised to deal with the threat of disease and other health problems, mainly dengue fever and cholera due to contaminated water. Caribbean agencies and specialist UN agencies are hard at work on the ground. Prayers and donations to the UN agency of your choice are much needed and appreciated......
A recent news story I saw out of Indonesia spoke of poisoning deaths of at least 25 school children there due to the improper cooking of cassava in a snack offered to them at school that day. This sad story serves as a reminder to all of us that although cassava tubers are very high in vitamins, proteins and nutrients, and is a staple food throughout the tropical world- unless it is properly and thouroughly cooked- it is highly toxic and so poisonous that even 2 or 3 bites can kill. Please always take care when cooking with cassava.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
KINGSTON, JAMAICA (OBSERVER- 3/11/05)- Talented singer and musician Abijah is hot on the So. Florida Reggae charts with his remake of Bob Marley's "Sun Is Shining". According to his manager Albert Ramsey: "Abijah has been doing quite alot of recording of late- more than 20 tracks. We are anticipating a release by middle of this year."
He burst on the local scene in 2001 with "Revelation", which spent 30 weeks on the charts here. Last year he recorded "Overcome" with Tevin Campbell.
Known for his promotion of positive values, Abijah was invited to speak and perform at Harvard and Oxford universities 2 years ago. Recently he teamed up with Lutan Fyah to write and perform the theme song for the "Buy Jamaican" campaign.
ARAWAKROOTS ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
I spoke by phone with "Grasshopper" Pickering, Guitarist/Vocalist of INNER VISIONS recently. He told me the band is excited to be finally returning to the studio to record their 4th full length c.d. Recording sessions begin this week at Digitech Studios in Puerto Rico with the finished c.d. to be ready in conjunction with this year's U.S. tour! We'll keep all fans posted!
In our last Entertainment News page, I failed to mention the other up-and-coming music stars from St. John- COOL SESSIONS BRASS BAND! This Soca/Caribbean band recently scored a #1 hit in the Caribbean Top 25 with "Penuey(Unite)". Next edition, I'll review their latest c.d and bio the band!
CULTURE:
"Remember , the Black Star Line is not a private company. The ships that are owned by this corporation are the property of the Negro race." - Marcus Garvey, 5/1/1920.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1887 - 1940) has emerged as the most celebrated and revered Jamaican personality in reggae music. Every well-known reggae singer like Burning Spear, Culture, Bob Marley and Steel Pulse have sang of his works and words, praising him as an uplifting force and liberator. Through the organisations Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and the African Communities League (ACL), Garvey continually preached his motto, "Race First", raised the color question and highlighted the triumphs and accomplishments of black ancestors. He initiated the People's Political Party, several newspapers and magazines, and businesses like the Black Star Line Steamship Corporation. He was much-maligned, persecuted and jailed for a time in the U.S., before being released and allowed to return to Jamaica, where he died a few years later.
Selah.
