Jamaican Diaspora: Luminus Lagoon

HELLSHIRE BEACH PROJECT

JAMAICA’S BEAUTY AND CHARM

MOVING HOME TO JAMAICA: A REALITY OR MYTH?

MR. BROWN AND THE SACRED COCONUT WATER

destination

Luminus Lagoon

What we are about Our product is unique because this magazine targets Jamaican culture on the island and worldwide. This publication affirms identity and builds community self-esteem. We will not only bring entertainment, but also provide information in areas of health, education, entrepreneur and environment.

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If you would like to advertise, please contact us. We will promote your product or special event. By letting us know who or when your special day is, it prevents dual scheduling. The intention is to complement not compete; remember unity is strength.

Writing for Jamaican Diaspora Magazine

Our publication contains articles from our advertisers and contribution writers. The goal is to share positive information. If you are interested in giving out your expertise or knowledge, let us know. Community involvement is the objective.

To contact us, visit www.JamaicanDiaspora.com Published by JK Productions

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Contents Departments 07

Book Club

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Luminous Lagoon

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5 Star Celestial

08 Cinema Scene 14 18

musical notes: JAMILA FALAK Recipe Corner: Cashew Irish Moss

Features 19

Hellshire Beach Project

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Empower Your Finances: A New Course for Caribbean Women of Influence

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Moving Home to Jamaica: A reality or myth?

Mr. Brown And The Sacred Coconut Water

Editor’s Note

Living Your Truth The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched as they must be felt in the heart. Let the creator give you strength and courage to overcome any situation. Stand before all your enemies and hold your head to the sky knowing that the most high is with you. Let divine purpose come from within; those who are with you will shine through the dark clouds.

If someone can’t use you or reap the benefit of off you, will they deal with you in the hour off need? Accepting the truth is the living truth for happiness.

Janice K. Maxwell Editor

When one book closes, you will realize there is an entire library that needs to be researched. Know that six months from now you will be in a completely different space, mentally, spiritually and financially.

That’s the living truth.

Understand that values, morals and integrity must never be compromised.

What else does one have, if not honesty with oneself?

For how can a lie conceal the reflection that is in the mirror? Don’t seek validation from others; find it from that reflection you see in the mirror. Be responsible for yourself.

Uneasy

Jamaica’s Beauty and Charm Jamaican Diaspora

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Denise Salmon

Dale Mahfood

Nathan Robinson

Kwame MA McPherson

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Book Club

Contributors

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Cinema Scene Jamaican Flix Our images our culture

www.JamaicanFlix.com

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LUMINUS LAGOON

LUMINOUS

LAGOON The Luminous Lagoon is a natural wonder that displays phosphorescence caused by microorganisms (dinoflagellates). It glows at night, and is just one of three such sites in the world. At night, the lagoon sparkles and glistens when disturbed, as these microscopic organisms produce an eerie glow, reflecting the outlines of fish and other objects in

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the water. The known bioluminescent bays are located in Indonesia, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. The Luminous Lagoon in Jamaica is said to be the largest and brightest in the world! It stretches along the marshlands of Trelawny from the small community of Rock to the town of Falmouth. The lagoon in Jamaica is said to be the largest and most brilliant of the four in the world; a fact that continually attracts and awes visitors and scientists worldwide.

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Her name is Jamila Falak and in Jamaica that name is just as uncommon as the upright bass, which she plays. Being both a singer and an instrumentalist are a stark juxtaposition in the portrait of the Jamaican music landscape.

But Falak is and carries with it diverse meanings ranging from heaven, to outer space, limitless and orbit but the one that may be most befitting to Jamila Falak is “beautiful star”. Born Jamila Falak James Montego Bay, Jamaica, music was always an integral part of her formative years.

Jamila attended the Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay, which has a tradition steeped in musical excellence.

During this period she further embraced her love for singing and instruments playing the flute, steel pan, violin to name a few.

This became the true starting point of her musical journey. Upon leaving high school, she furthered her musical education at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Popular Music Studies majoring in voice. During her studies she was introduced to Esperanza Spalding, a singer and upright bass player, who had such a profound impact on her that she immediately opted for upright bass lessons. She joined the college’s classical string orchestra as a second violinist and later became its principal upright bassist. The rest is history.

musical notes

JAMILA FALAK

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5 Star Celestial 5 Star Celestial aka Stefon was cultivated in Kingston Jamaica. He believes that his musical path was charted for him by a higher power. The artistry represents an eclectic combination of sharp flows, soothing melodies and refreshingly clever, potent lyricism. His association with the Jamaican music group the Sons of Liberty helped to hone 5 Star’s versatility. Through performing at local stage shows, he mastered the craft of engaging audiences with his conscious and witty lyricism. 5 Star’s lyrical creativity and rhythmic flow has elements of influence from artists like Bounty Killa, Supacat and Damian Jr. Gong Marley.

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Then

Re c ip e C orne r

Cashew Irish Moss Prep time: 40-45 minutes Ingredients • 5 quarts water • 3/4 pound Irish Moss seaweed • 4 ounces gum acacia • 5 ounces of flaxseed • 4 ounces isinglass (a gelatinous material originating in the stomach of sturgeons) • 3/4 cups natural honey • 3/4 pounds sugar • 4 tablespoons vanilla extract • 3 tablespoons nutmeg powder

Steps: • Wash the Irish Moss seaweed thoroughly.

The moss can be set to soak in lukewarm water for a few hours to clean it, but this will eliminate some of its gelatinous texture.

•

Place the moss in a colander and rinse to remove debris and sand participles.

It is ready to use when its color changes from maroon to beige and its weight has doubled from its original dry form.

• Fill a large kettle with the water and set to boil.

• Add the Irish Moss, gum acacia, flaxseed, and isinglass.

• Cook the mixture for 40 to 45 minutes until everything but the Irish Moss has dissolved.

• Strain the liquid, disposing of the Irish Moss.

• Add remaining ingredients to the mixture and taste, adding ingredients that will enhance the flavor to your liking.

• Refrigerate the mixture for four hours.

• Serve cold. A cup of water can be added to the mix if it is too thick.

Enjoy!

Now

HELLSHIRE BEACH PROJECT H

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ellshire Beach, Jamaica, has near white sands with a very small trace of black sand. Exposed when there is a sea running to the south, the waters close to shore are often quite cloudy due to the stirred-up sand.

It is a popular public beach conveniently located for

the residents of Portmore and weekend visitors from Kingston. The erosion is a result of sea level rise and deterioration on the coastline’s natural defense - the coral reefs - caused by rising ocean temperatures and pollution. Major hurricanes in 2004 and 2007 have Jamaican Diaspora

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also contributed significantly to the erosion. Today there isn’t much of a sandy beach left on Hellshire.

At Hellshire, all ‘hell’ is breaking loose with the receding shoreline. With each day, the erosion problem gets worse. The business owners will tell you that they have had to move their shops back many times to avoid being swept away by the emerging sea water. A study found that it would cost at least US $ 1.5 million to stop the erosion by building a breakfront to reduce the impact of the waves.

We must stop the erosion as soon as possible. The livelihood of many business owners and residents hangs in the balance; therefore, Jamaica needs Hellshire beach.

For this reason, the Hellshire Beach Project was created. The birthplace of Mento, Ska, Reggae and Dancehall is Jamaica. For this reason, a CD was created highlighting all these music genres in order to help 20

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with the restoration of this beach. If you would like to help to stop this erosion, join us. All your support will be used to return the beach back to its glory. Visit www.HellshireBeachProject.org

The business owners will tell you that they have had to move their shops back many times to avoid being swept away by the emerging sea water. A study found that it would cost at least US $ 1.5 million to stop the erosion by building a breakfront to reduce the impact of the waves.

Moving Home to Jamaica: A reality or myth?

The pandemic years, that seem so long ago, forced the world to come to a standstill and within that the life of societies, nations, communities, families and individuals were disrupted beyond measure. It also caused many to reassess their own life and therefore, their priorities.

I am uncertain if an actual measurement of returnees who have made the journey home was recently done but from all accounts, the activity on social media indicates an upsurge in those who wish to do so with just a browse of YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Not a fool proof gauge by any means but there has been an obvious increase one just needs to search YouTube on the many videos of successful immigrants. In the Observer (November 2021) it stated that the International Organization for Migration reported there was an upward trend as

more immigrants were coming into the country. At the time, approximately 11,700 people moved to Jamaica between 2012 to 2016. And the returning Jamaican nationals accounted for 28 per cent of the immigrants.

(Source: IOM, Migration in Jamaica: A Country Profile 2018) I sincerely would love to know the post-Covid figure.

The feelings of Jamaican Diasporans about moving back to Jamaica can vary depending on their individual circumstances and experiences. Some may have a strong desire to return to home, while others may have concerns about factors such as the economy, job opportunities, crime and violence. Those who do make the move will have their own reasons like a way to reconnect with their cultural roots or be closer to Jamaican Diaspora

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family members. Others may be motivated by a desire to contribute to the development of the country through business or social initiatives. And still, for others, it is about escaping the economic inflationary hardship and everyday systemic institutionalized racism, and discrimination by seeking out, finding peace and living with manageable stress.

Naturally, there will be concerns about the challenges of adjusting to a new environment and navigating any cultural differences that exist between Jamaica and other countries, especially for those unfamiliar with Jamaica. For example, there may be concerns about integrating and assimilating, the cost of living and the availability of basic necessities such as housing, healthcare, and education. On the other hand, repats (short for repatriates) may balance the slower, higher quality of life, fresh food and natural living, less pressure and tension; with their life priorities and the importance. The Covid years highlighted this more so than ever before in our contemporary lifetime.

And if Covid was not enough to deal with, the unmasking of the 22

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underlying racial undertones in the west came to the fore by the various administrations in the United States and United Kingdom, in particular. This uncovering brought to the fore a hostile environment and a kind of regression to what many felt had long passed. Many repats who had already lived through the extremity of institutionalized racism from when they were young and in school to being in the workplace, police abuse and harassment, and in health care inequality experience; decided to walk with their feet. Their children now grown and flown from the family home, owners of their own property but still with a connection to Jamaica via frequent holidays sought out those experiences and, importantly, freedom, they enjoyed whenever they were on the island.

Written by Kwame MA McPherson

Jamaica is a draw to all, whether a tourist, expat (for expatriate as it looks like many more African Americans are seeking to make Jamaica home but that discussion is for another day) and repats. And everyone is virtually seeking the same thing, some for longer periods than others. There are even case where expats overstay and are deported.

The question is, why? What is it about Jamaica that someone would overstay or when someone upon leaving cries to the heavens on when doing so? Jamaica’s spirit is strong and alluring and beautiful.

Those who do return, whether to visit or reside, will have one thing in common and that is their ability to use foreign exchange to invest locally into real estate, sightseeing and staying or to establish a business. And better yet those who are returning are no longer retirees or Baby Boomer but Gen Xers and Zers and Millennials, adventurers and risk takers far removed from their parent’s generation. This influx of returnees only bodes well for Jamaica’s economy.

Ultimately, the decision to move back to home to Jamaica will depend on a variety of factors, including personal preferences, financial considerations, and the overall state of the country.

Some Jamaican Diasporans may be excited about the prospect of returning while others may prefer to remain in their adopted countries where they have established their lives and careers. Yet, with the issues repats endure in foreign lands and if the demographics of those social media platforms are anything to go by, then the exodus to Jamaica will continue and more than likely increase.

Empower Your Finances:

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Women of Caribbean heritage wherever they

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MR. BROWN AND THE SACRED COCONUT WATER In the town of Middle Quarters, Saint Elizabeth, lived Mr. and Mrs. Brown and their three boy pickney. One Saturday morning, Mr. Brown sat at the breakfast table praising his wife’s good cooking.

“Mrs. Brown, I never taste a better mackerel rundown in all my life.” He rubbed his belly and continued, “The only thing would top it off just right is a drink of sweet coconut water.”He turned to two of his sons, Schoolie and Sweet Tooth, who were sitting at the breakfast table.

Schoolie, his first son, was named so because he was always first in his class at school. Sweet Tooth, his second son—as you would expect—loved all things sweet. Addressing them, Mr. Brown said, “The best coconut water I ever taste come from White House in Westmoreland. Boy, me would a love some fi drink!” He got up, sat on the couch, rubbing his full belly, and closed his eyes.

Mr. Brown had one more son called Washbelly, who he never paid much mind. Since he was the youngest, Washbelly always found himself in the shadow of his older brothers, which was a constant source of heartache. And that day, he was particularly sad as his father had not included him in the coconut water conversation.After Mrs. Brown had excused the three boys from the breakfast table, they each left the house, individually thinking how they could fetch some coconut water and bring it back for their father.

Schoolie sat down on a rock, thinking about where he could get coconut water.

Not long after, an idea came to him. He 24

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stood up from the rock, saying, “I know where! I’ll go down to Mr. Woo’s grocery store and buy Pupa a bottle of coconut water.” He promptly did so.

When he returned from Mr. Woo’s grocery store, he placed the coconut water on the table in front of his father and waited for him to wake up. Presently, Mr. Brown opened his eyes, and surprised to find a bottle of coconut water in front of him, said, “Is you bring me this coconut water, Schoolie?”

“Yes, Pupa,” Schoolie replied with a smile.

“How you get it so quick?”

“Because me use me head, Pupa.”

Mr. Brown drank down the coconut water in one gulp, then spewed it out of his mouth, saying, “This is nothing like the coconut water from Westmoreland! Is where you get it from?”

“Down at Mr. Woo grocery store, Pupa.”

You smart, Schoolie, but sometime smart people take shortcut.”

Schoolie hung his head and left the room.Meantime, both Sweet Tooth and Washbelly, unbeknownst to one

another, had taken the road out of Middle Quarters, leading to the south coast. As they were deep in thought, they had not noticed one another until they reached the outskirts of town. When they realized they were both headed in the same direction, each boy admitted he was going to get coconut water for his father and was glad for the company. Upon reaching Luana, halfway to Black River, Washbelly turned to take a right on Brompton Road.

Sweet Tooth, asked Washbelly, “Is why you tek a right when Black River is straight ahead?”Washbelly looked at Sweet Tooth with surprise and said, “I going to Westmoreland. Is where you goin?”

Sweet Tooth laughed and said, “I going to Black River. You will never get back before sundown, while I will get my coconut water and return home in time for dinner.”

Washbelly turned his face toward Westmoreland and kept walking.Sweet Tooth got to Black River by twelve noon and found a man selling fresh coconuts.

After purchasing one, he asked the man to cut off the top, figuring he could present it to his father ready to drink. With the coconut secured in his two hands, he headed back toward Middle Quarters.

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By the time he got to Luana, halfway to Middle Quarters, Sweet Tooth was well thirsty. He had spent all his money on the coconut water, so he couldn’t stop to buy a drink, and the river he knew about was a far distance. Overcome with thirst, he drank just enough to wet his tongue. Before long, the little tongue wetting was worse than if he had never tasted the coconut water to begin with.

So, he drank the balance of it. Overcome with remorse, when he got to the river, he filled the coconut with water, hoping the jelly inside would sweeten the water by the time he reached Middle Quarters.

Just before sundown, he arrived home and handed his father the coconut. Mr. Brown was pleased and immediately put his mouth to the opening at the top of the coconut, drinking down the water in one gulp.

With his face screwed up, he spewed the water out of his mouth and stated, “This is not coconut water!

Boy, what trick you playing on you father?”Sweet Tooth hung his head and left the room.When night fell, and only two of Mr. Brown’s boys were seated for dinner, Mrs. Brown asked the boys where Washbelly was.

Schoolie said he had not seen him all day. Mr. Brown turned to Sweet Tooth and asked him if he knew. Not wanting to lie but being too ashamed that he had not followed Washbelly to Westmoreland, he said he didn’t know.Mrs. Brown started one piece of wailing for her washbelly.

“Mi baby dead! Mi Baby dead!” This went on all night and all the next day, while Mr. Brown and the two boys went on a search for Washbelly. But Sweet Tooth knew the search would be fruitless.That day, there was no breakfast, lunch, or dinner served as Mrs. Brown continued to bawl eye water. Mr. Brown and the two boys returned shortly before sundown and sat around the empty table.

walk slowly to his father and present him with the coconut.Mr. Brown took the coconut from Washbelly and asked, “Where you was, son? And where you get the coconut?”Washbelly simply answered, “Westmoreland…Me get it for you, Pupa.”

When Mr. Brown realized what Washbelly had done, he exclaimed, “Kiss me granny neck back! Look what di boy do!” Then he looked at Washbelly and said, “Mi can’t drink it, son. Look at you. You sacrifice youself on my behalf.” He slid over on his chair, making space for Washbelly. “Me can’t drink it, son, but come, sit down beside me.”

Washbelly looked up at his father and said, “You must drink it, Pupa. I do it cause I love you.”Mr. Brown could not speak for a time and eye water ran down his face. Then he said, “Alright son. I will drink it under one condition.”

“Yes, Pupa?” Washbelly inquired, looking up at his father, waiting for the condition.His father answered, “We must share the coconut water.”

Washbelly smiled and said in agreement, “Yes, Pupa.”

Mr. Brown went outside and cut the head of the coconut off with his machete. When he came inside, he sat down with Washbelly, raised the coconut high with his two hands, as though it were a sacred thing, and said, “One son too smart for him own good. The next son too greedy for him own good. Is only this one son—the washbelly—love for another’s good.”

Jack Mandora. Mi nuh choose none.

While Mrs. Brown was crying, the front door creaked open, and in stumbled Washbelly, clothes disheveled, face dirty, and barely holding on to a coconut.

Mrs. Brown yelled, “Mi washbelly is back! Thank God!” Then she asked, “Where you was son?”Washbelly didn’t have enough strength to answer his mother.

He only had the strength to

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Written by Dale Mahfood www.DaleMahfood.com

Uneasy Under your bed I lie In the corner of your eye I whisper in your ears Instilling your fears I’m there when your alone Your thoughts, I own Are you hallucinating?

I’m sure you can tell As you lose your sense

I pick up on your frightened smell I’m formless yet you give me many I’ll never starve Your anxiety feeds me plenty No matter how vigorous you search You won’t find me You won’t know where I’ve perched And that makes you uneasy

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Jamaica’s Beauty and Charm

Jamaica is the beautiful island that is loved by most and hated by a few. There are those who are in love with the awesome waterfalls, sweet Reggae music, delicious food, lovely gardens and beautiful beaches, and those who had bad experiences with criminals and they are badly turned off. However, it is understood by most people that the things that are great about the island can easily wipe out all the bad.

Most Jamaicans are hardworking, friendly and kind.

They are so proud of their country and they are always taking care of visitors in the best way.Jamaica is the island the USA athletes talk about when they are ready to compete on the world stage. They see Jamaican athletes as their formidable competitors.

This happened after Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce held on to the “Fastest Man and Fastest Woman in the world titles”, for a number of years.

The Americans were holding those titles for many years before, and it was a bit of an embarrassment for the title to be taken away and held by Jamaica for a number of years.Usain Bolt’s World Record of 9.58 is still unbroken and the Americans are busy studying the videos of Usain running as they try to find an American to break the world record, so they can be on top again.The island’s music is still loved by many people all over the world. Bob Marley is still a huge Superstar across the Globe even though he passed away in 1981.

The Reggae Festival, Reggae Sumfest held in Jamaica each year is still attracting huge crowds from many countries. Young artistes are still getting famous at this event before they begin touring the world.

Jamaica now has a booming real estate sector and many gated communities that are close to beaches, have caused some Jamaicans in the diaspora to start investing in real estate intheir island home again.The high number of attractions, beautiful beaches and places where people go to relax and have fun, has caused Jamaica to be the island that most tourists love to visit.

The Zip Lines and other activities at Mystic Mountain, the Green Grotto Caves, Hope Gardens, The Bob Marley Museum, Devon House, the world renowned Dunns River Falls. Doctors Cave Beach and all the other awesome attractions will always be

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great. You will always want to visit them all when you visit the island.The number of individuals who enjoy their trip to the island and manage to return home safely outnumber those who get hurt each year.

If you take necessary precautions, you will be among the ones who became lovers of the sweet Jamaican breeze and dialect.The Eco-Kids Project set up by Fun Writings and Things has provided eco-friendly books for children all over the world. You can easily support this effort to help children to prepare for a green future by visiting the website www.funwritings. com. I am sure you will be glad to become a part of the solution for the environmental pollution problems we see. There are also books there that will encourage Jamaican children to appreciate their great island as well.

Written by Denise Salmon www.FunWritings.com

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West Indian Clothing

T-Shirts

Traditional

Carnival

Modern

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www.CannabisJamaican.com

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