The Significance of Jamaica’s National Symbol – the Coat of Arms
A coat of arms is the principal part of a system of hereditary symbols, which dates back to early medieval Europe, and is used mainly to establish identity in battle. A coat of arms that is found on an escutcheon forms the…
Colonization in Reverse: How the Windrush Generation Rebuilt Post-War Britain
On 4 December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed December 18 as International Migrants Day. The day was selected to mark the anniversary of the 1990 adoption…
World Poetry Day (Dub Poetry)
Held every year on 21 March, World Poetry Day celebrates one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) first adopted 21 March as World Poetry Day in 1999,…
“Kind of Blue”: International Jazz Day
To celebrate music is to celebrate life. It is no wonder that Jazz music tells the story of a people beyond the hardships and challenges they faced – the story of Black people across the Diaspora. However, Jazz’s universal appeal welcomes a…
African World Heritage Day
May 5 was declared African World Heritage Day in 2015 during the 38th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference. Its purpose is to highlight and promote the incredible legacy and rich cultural diversity inherent to…
Solidarity: UNESCO World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed May 21 as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development to address the inherent uniqueness of world cultures and push forward constructive dialogue in an inclusive manner as an…
Remembering Madiba
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela In 1994, Nelson Mandela…
DEATH RITUALS IN JAMAICA
Death and burial are treated with great reverence by many in Jamaica. They serve as a major opportunity for family gatherings and bring persons together from near and far distances. A burial is usually delayed until as many relatives as possible can…