Nelson Mandela Day: Combating Poverty and Inequality: It is in Our Hands
Nelson Mandela, fondly known as Madiba, stands as a giant of the 20th century, epitomizing hope, resilience, and steadfast dedication to justice and equality for all people, but specifically for South Africans. Eleven (11) years after his life transitioned, his work and…
African World Heritage Day 2024
Celebrated on the 5th of May each year, African World Heritage Day (AWHD) is a continental and global celebration of Africa’s rich, natural and exceptional intangible and tangible cultural heritage. That is; on this day, the international community acknowledges the authenticity of…
Standing in Solidarity: World Refugee Day 2024
There is a common saying that in an unpredictable world anyone can be a refugee overnightregardless of ethnicity, social and economic status. While we are not hoping for this to holdtrue, it is important to raise awareness on the precarious situation faced…
International Day of Play
Blog Article 1: June 11, 2024 Written by Georgette McGlashen-Miller Research Fellow, ACIJ/JMB From Work Songs to Ring Games: The Evolution of Jamaican Play The United Nations on March 25th 2024 announced June 11th 2024 as the International Day of Play. This…
Storytelling: A Vehicle for Cultural Preservation
Storytelling is an important cultural thread that makes up the colourful fabric of Jamaican society. Louise Bennett Coverley, Ranny Williams, Charles Hyatt, Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks, and many others, have played an integral role in promoting and protecting this aspect of Jamaica’s…
Kumina
Kumina is a musico-religious form which is based mainly on communication with the ancestors of the Congo people of Africa and their descendants in Jamaica. The dance ritual is also performed at times for recreational purposes.
The History and Development of Devon House
Devon House, located at the corner of Hope Road and Waterloo Road in St. Andrew, is a historic building and is regarded as one of the finest examples of nineteenth century domestic architecture in Jamaica. It is situated a far distance from…
Jamaica’s National Bird: The Doctor Bird
The doctor bird, also known as the Swallow-tail hummingbird, Streamer-tail, Scissors-tail or Swallow-streamer or by its scientific name, Trochilus polytmus, is considered to be one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of hummingbirds. The genus is currently split into two…
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…