Issuu

CON TENTS 04

Editor’s Note

Mr. X

Squeezy 2023 Winners

21 23

Historical Figure

Traditonal Mas Feature Guest Pieces V’ghn

FYI

Editor’s note W

elcome to our second edition of Kulcha Magazine. A rhetromodern play on our culture through the years. This magazine hopes to educate local youth of the essential protagonists of our culturethe pillars from where we came; looking at the evolutionary tone of the music, culture & politics. We try our best to bring back past local published pieces pertinent to our cause of educating the present generation. In this edition we pay particular attention to two icons: Mr. X. and Squeezie- two men who were stalwarts in Grenadian calypso music for decades. Mr. X, well known for his ability to provide dualism of thought and conversation on substantive topics of the era. Squeezie, the modern soca man of his time, always playing on words and bringing issuses to the layman in a topical manner. He has always given us well-paced music to have us laugh and dance, providing an all-round wholesome experience. We move on to an opinion piece carried by a local newspaper, “The Voice” of 2020. A piece on us, as a people, understanding from whence we came and how we may greater appreciate what we call Mas during the carnival season. A reminder that our heritage need not be feared or shunned, but rather understood and celebrated. A bit on the infamous Matthew Eric Gairy, the father of independence. We hope to have provided an unbaised and balanced look at his contributions to our current civilisation. Our dedicated section on our Grenadian Badboy- V’ghn, a look at his music and a bit of his story, we hope will make you appreciate not just this local talnet, but all the others like him. This is more than a magazine, it is a repository of who we are. Do enjoy the pieces brought to you about our young carriers of the cultural light. Learn. Sing. Swing.

**Original content is not cited. Please contact us for any use of uncited work. **Kulcha does not claim the rights to any of the produced work- published as educational references.

Music saved me Jusso ah did plan to buss he big head,

Talkin ‘bout how meh shoes, Lookin’ like perseverance skirt. Why he en hush he bold mout’, But den I hear de MC say meh artist reach, And ah drop de bottle an head for de front, Ah en about to get left out, “Fadda for you have seen and known what they have done unto us.” Everyting get swing dat year in soca monarch, Ah did loose de shoes and all, in all the frenzy and friendly attack. Anudda time again, ‘Fassi’ and ‘Fish’, was me nickname, Because ah showin’ me face, by grandma Grace To see she cut cloth, Ah like it and she did say I was good wid it. Dem block fellas near cause me to Make ah jail, wid de pent up shame and sort But den I did see in Dash video, “Gifted” A brudda like me cutting and everyting fitted, makin’ bread, jusso, and nothin’ more was the score And ah did let it go. Brendon beard was sof’ He was well groomed, Not a ting out ah place, Whenever we met in our special space. That particular evening He had had a little too much, His travelled a little farther and wanted to not only lunch, but brunch. Then Patrice’s, “If all you have is sexy alone, den you bound to loose” Came blasting through the car’s speaker, I was dressed quicker nad no sooner, I scampered out releasing the close call To breathe, I had just almost given it up all. 05

“He is most powerful, who has power over himself.”

“That whatsoever Master s to beat any drum or empty gourds or blow Horns, shel for the Diversion or Enterta [those]who do not suppres after the same begins shal

shall suffer any slaves Casks or Boxes or great lls, or loud instruments, ainment of slaves….. ss the same in one Hour ll be convicted.” The laws of Grenada, 1763-1805

Jamaaal N.C. Adams Photography

Skinny Banton “Jab Forever” Capital, yuh proud ah yuh colour? Heh (x3) Jab Jab (x3) Black as eva (x3) And we go be black foreva. From deep down within Ah lotta ah dem don’t know how we came about, Sacrifice and pain The motherland from which we been taken out, Fields of sugarcane The molasses that we been draining out, Bound together with chains No more, more...... 20, 000 comin down wit me, Learn ah part ah de history, Covered with oil and mystery, Respect yuh ancestry. From the shores of Africa Packed on a ship to a plantation Under shackles and whip, From a king on a throne To a slave in a pit How we overcame it? We rise, to de rhythm and melody Sound ah de drum and ah untold story, Jab jab we doh keep bad company No boy otta road cah buy we no glory. We rise, from de pit ah de slum Big bad snake wid a lot little one, We ah rise and take we stan’ Givin’ up not part ah de plan. Right now we black x7 Right now we black x7, Down de road Black as eva, an we go be black foreva. Right now de jam cah done, Capital in charge ah de wickest band. We play jab wid meanin’, So de children to come Dey will understand. Freedom is joy

All who labour an sore Guess who feels it know, Bound togetta wid chains No more, more....... We unite and stan’ as a nation Join in de celebration Neva make ah man oppression stop your determination. From the shores of Africa Packed on a ship to a plantation Under shackles and whip From a king on a throne To a slave in a pit How we overcame it? We rise, to de rhythm and melody Sound ah de drum and ah untold story Jab jab we doh keep bad company No boy otta road cah buy we no glory. We rise, from de pit ah de slum Big bad snake wid a lot little one We ah rise and take we stan’ Givin’ up not part ah de plan. Right now we black x7 Right now we black x7 Down de road Black as eva, an we go be black foreva. From deep down within Ah lotta ah dem don’t know how we came about, Sacrifice and pain The motherland from which we been taken out. Fields of sugarcane, The molasses that we been draining out, Bound together with chains No more, oh oh. 20, 000 comin’ down wit me, Learn a part ah de history Covered with oil and mystery Respect yuh ancestry..... We rise, to de rhythm and melody.... Right now we black x7 Down de road Black as eva, an we go be black foreva. 10

Rum drinking showin’ on we face For the past decade or so, our soca music has been steeped in rum- with these last few years being the culmination of said, drenched nature. Every new artist and some well-known ones continue to write songs praising the locally brewed spirit. In 2023, in the plethora of songs released, rum drinking is a common theme- and it bars no category, from the Calypso, Groovy, to the Power. While rum is a Caribbean drink, like our food staple, our colonised past also contributed to our grand consumption of the fiery liquid. Countries with plummeting freezing temperatures are the ones with frequently high numbers related to alcohol consumption, Moldova, Lithuania, Czech Republic, are the top of the list. Maybe the antibacterial properties to heal colds is the reason for this. How then, does a tiny island with temperatures of 28-30- now 32 degrees C qualify for high a percent of alcohol in our liquor? While the regular standard of rum is 40% al per volume, many islands, like Jamaica and Trinidad’s Puncheon Rum, have 75% al per volume. Grenada’s Rivers is 69%, Clarke’s Court in 2017 was in the top 5 for the WORLD’s strongest rum. So while during the carnival season we feel we should “beat it” we are the ones getting our behinds whipped. Let us tread carefully with our ability to “manners rum” even at the cost of our own health and lives. According to bebodywise.com, here are the shortterm and long-term effects of rum consumption Short-term Effects of Rum • Flustered speech • Tiredness • Feeling nauseated • Diarrhoea • Gastrointestinal distress • Migraines • Breathing problems • Vision and hearing impairment • Mental impairment • Reduced coordination and perception • An unconscious state 11

• Anaemia (low red blood cell count) • Coma • Memory lapses (when an impaired drinker is unable to recall events while under the influence) Long-term Effects of Rum • Accidental injuries such as car accidents, burns, and drownings • Intentional injuries such as gun accidents, abuse, and sexual assault • Increased injury rates and decreased productivity • Breakups of families and relationships • Poisoning by alcohol • Hypertension, stroke, and other heart conditions • Inflammation of the liver • Neurological damage • Sexual problems • Permanent brain damage • Deficit of vitamin B1, leading to amnesia, apathy, and disorientation • Ulcers • Stomach inflammation (gastroenteritis) • Acute malnutrition • Oropharyngeal cancer Rum drinking also reduces bone density, resulting in bone thinning- leading to easy fractures. In addition alcohol can cause- High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems as well as cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum. It further weakens the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick.

Image Source https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/sites/default/themes/solstice/images/bodyeffects_05052022.svg

The Great Dichotomist

Mr. X

loyd Panchoo, as far as one can remember, has been a household name in the calypso fraternity. With a career that began in 1984, he stayed the course up to the year 2014. His presence has been a staple in the Calypso final on Di Marche Gras night. His high-pitched voice and favourite phrase, “pam pa da dai dai” are characteristic identifiers of his contributions. He has given us many poignant titles. Always calling out the main issues on island, indeed, the layman’s newspaper. Mr. X, had a way of presenting the material with a double look- a dichotomy of the situation. Calypso songs generally present the situation to be critically assessed and as such, many of his songs were lamentations to the public, drawing awareness to the many things we may overlook or downplay. His rendition, “If you find oil,” in 2010, a warning declaration and a reminder to the announcement of Grenada and Trinidad establishing maritime boundaries, in the government’s pursuits to seek out oil reserves. He reminds us that what one has in hand is often of more value than what one wishes or seeks. Hold on to our tourism, agriculture, ecological sites and to the people. Remain true to the soil because the ability to feed ourselves is a guarantee we can’t overlook. Warning the then government, that conmen abound and making such an announcement can be far reaching, (indeed, having encountered someone in 2022 in South East Asia, a convinced speaker, adamantly stated Grenada was a wealthy country because they’ve heard we have oil); 13

they will show up to chew you up and spit you out, once they’ve had their spoil. He goes on to remind us of all our past cash crops, the tobacco, the sugar, and the banana- asking us of the gains we’ve made, if any at all and what do we have to show for it after all the hard work? Stay vigilant. An iconic piece, and in some ways still relevant. In essence, that song, also speaks to development on a board scale. It’s costs, what and how much are we willing to pay for it? And what of indigenous development, what does that look like for an island such as ours? Should we copy, aspire to be like so many others? Or should we forge our own path?

“If You Find Oil”

beware, others stripe you and leave you bare.

They establish maritime boundaries between Grenada and T&T and before they sign the paper, oil talk take over Grenada. My friend from Trinidad called to say Careful what allu do up there, Because the things oil put us through, ah doh wish the same things on you. He say understand, one bird in the hand is worth more than 20 in the bush, so your tourism, your agriculture, hold on to those for more than just good looks, love, people, their willingness to share please don’t let that disappear for oil will destroy you in one year.

If you find oil, think back when you grew tobacco where did the money go? If you find oil, When your sugar was king, Recall, you didn’t get a thing If you find oil, Remember banana too And what free-trade do to you If you find oil, Make it work for your people, Do whatever you have to do They’ll rap you again Ah doh want to hear you complain.

If you find oil, don’t push agriculture further down the gutter, If you find oil, tighten your belt, preserve the ecosystem health If you find oil, don’t be careless and reckless invest in your people. If you find oil, don’t put eggs in one basket you may live to regret it, don’t say oil can’t spoil continue to till the soil.

If you find oil for true, Sleep with one eye close and one eye open, Keep that open eye on your own people A potential source for trouble, Expectations start running high They feel mana go fall from the sky, And some already get hot Counting the chickens before they hatch, The politicians with their bags of tricks Well they start to lick their lips, While unscrupulous businessmen Setting their trap for them, And women who really don’t know better They ready to play Jean and Dyna He tell me, welcome to the oil industry.

Before you sign the treaty, the Russians were set and ready, they were ready to explore, the oil on allu seafloor trouble start brewing already, allu put the cart before the donkey, even ignoring the offer, that you got from another suitor, in the USA Brent Forkcornor** say, Is pay the Russians pay, and in T&T we have technology we want you be minded up to we, this is high-stake, no room for mistake please maximise your intake

If you find oil, Remind your people, hard work is still a virtue If you find oil, Know that oil is cheap, value good leadership, If you find oil, Stay in control, you doh have to lose your soul, If you find oil, It good be a big blessing, it could be a curse You could only trust, it make things better and not make then worse.” ** ASSUMED NAME

Mr. X at Dimarche Gras- Image source GBTV.

The following is a brief synopsis of some of his songs. Many carry a tone of duality and retribution, fully akin to who he is and what his purpose was in culture. Do enjoy and reflect. “One Mathematician” 2014 A critic of the economic policies and expenditure of the then Prime Minister Mitchell, 15% taxes and deductions from monies gained. According to him, his “fiscal policies slowing down the economy,” he went on to question the presence if any, of the investors who were supposed to bring a bright future to the country. He points out how the Prime Minister used the pillars of math- subtraction, multiplication, division and addition, with the latter being his forte’. He lamented the additional taxes on beer, rum, whippers and cigarettes. He ended by commenting on the attitude of being wrong and strong. “What You get you go Take” 2011 An up-tempo song, which begins by admonishing religious leaders who lament of the changes in society when they themselves, according to the singer, are the epitome of said problems. Saying one thing and practising another, listing sins of greed, indifference and “wishy-washy-ness.” He goes on further to speak of mothers, too busy with social media, FOMO (Fear of missing out), that they fail to 15

see the vulnerability of their daughters, as predators lurk close by. He highlights the lack of jobs in the country and how this can lead to crime, alerting the government of predial larceny, violence, youth frustration and he admonishes all, if they don’t take heed, what they get, they’ll have to take. “Grenada Speaking” 2010 In this track of 2010, Mr. X, speaks for Grenada, giving a summary of the history of the leaders given to her and how we as a people easily find their shortcomings, nit-picking, never looking at the bigger picture. She complains that we are destroying our natural resources for bigger and grander things, only ‘shooting ourselves in the foot.’ She laments our quick and easy mentality of success right now. He mirrors to us, our attitude of self-first at the death of community, working in self-interest endangers the progression of a country leaving us frustrated eagerly seeking greener paths elsewhere. “Marching still” 2009 Based on an amusing moment, of his stage presence and his peculiar stride- being akin to a march and not a dance as such. Cleverly, he uses it, to present the history of our struggles as a people, on the continent and in the region, he highlights, apartheid, Buzz Butler, he uses his marching as a stance for the ills, in society etc. In 2009, he was 25

years into his career. “Make one Good” 2007 An up-tempo song, written in the voice of an elder, asking for the rhythm and tempo of the music be brought back to a slower pace so that it can still be enjoyed by her counterparts. She calls for the music to be a tad bit slower for the pan players as well. Once a party lover herself, in her day, she expresses her desire to move once more to smooth melodies letting her die with a smile on her face, having relished once more, in sweet music. “Last Kaiso I Sing” 1996 A cry on behalf of calypsonians- widely victimised, without recognition and uncompensated; he sights an altercation between an MP and a particular calypsonian. He continues that he seems to always be called upon to perform when it’s charity events, or finds it difficult to receive his adequate payment, much unlike other singers at the time. “Ah want to jail” 1995 A satire on the state of our prisons. Making play on the grand treatment meted out to those involved in the murder of Maurice Bishop and others. He prefers jail to lashes. Success and conversion happens in prison. Many convicts exit the prison doors as lawyers and judges. He warns the audience to be mindful of their reaction to the lyrics, for soon he too may just be the one to pass judgement on them.

Mr. X at Dimarche Gras- Image source GBTV.

“I Resign” 1993 A lament from the perspective of a teacher in the education system. He points to the lack of adequate resources, compensation, terrible working conditions, violent students, and large classrooms all of which, results in the deterioration of personal health due to the many hats a teacher wears(nurse, pastor, judge, parent, and still, John public calls for more sacrifice. An iconic piece, and in some ways still relevant. To delve down memory lane, GBTV on Youtube has a collection of Mr. X’s songs. 16

“Educating the mind without educating the heart, is no Education at all.”

The Grand Satirist

Squeezie

Squeezie Image source GBTV.

to follow. We have chosen to highlight a track in the calypso competition of 1990, “Reconstruct Grenada.” Like so many of his other titles, this too rings true even today, 33 years on. As always, to delve down memory lane, GBTV on Youtube has a collection of Squeezie’s songs. Sources: www.oocites.org/gwriteink/August2001/squeezie1.html Made in Grenada Blog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXj-fKPP1W0 Jambalasse Grenada

Squeezie at Dimarche Gras- Image source GBTV.

hristopher Antoine, our Squeezie, according to Richard Holder of OoCites.org, began singing at 9. He was born on August 28, 1963, in the parish of Marquis, St. Andrew. Squeezie attended SAASS, where the likes of Inspector, Black Wizard and Gospo, were also in attendance- (being fluent in German as well as french and Spanish) something reflected in his music- “Soca in she corazone” and “Soca Bonita, ” two songs delivered in his career. At the pinnacle of his career in 1980s, he was dubbed, the muscle man of Grenadian Calypso. Often adorned with a fishnet vest showing off his pectorals or at times bare chested with layers of gold necklaces, he often was in my mind, the Mr. T of calypso. (Mr. T. was a TV personality who was part of a cast of the “A-Team”, a crime fighting bunch, aired during the 1980s). Let’s not also forget the neck-flick, during performances. He was indeed a mix of an artist, according to Dexter Mitchell, of ‘Made in Grenada’ blog, Squeezy was a versatile artist, seamlessly moving between Calypso, Soca and Ragga soca.” In 1982, Squeezie was a member of Kaiso Kastle(which later morphed into Moss International), where he did “Vanity” and “Freedom Cry”. In 1986, he gave us, “Spielen Sie” titled track and “Join the Party.” Often one to sing on topical issues in the context of a relationship, his “Pull him out” track, spoke to the issue of Saddam Hussein in Kuwait. Squeezie would often use a play on words, double entendre, in his work, something seriuosly lacking in today’s offerings of soca. His songs were simply constructed with hints of comedy, making them catchy and memorable. He is the Road march king of 1987, with “To Cock ah Hole”. Some have identified the music within the music, as a pillar for our present day jab sound. A gusty performer and witty composer. Squeezie’s lyrics always had a hook to them. They were in addition relatable and easy

Reconstruct Grenada 1990 As a calypsonian man from this nice and sunny island, Let me take this opportunity to dedicate this song to my country, You see I can’t only sing to make bacchanal, no, And stand up and watch my sweet little country fall, So I a true artist, all this is my business, to take on the task in order to spread this advice across. I say to reconstruct the house of Grenada, We got to reconstruct it, talkin’ ‘bout the whole infrastructure We got to reconstruct it we just can’t depend on foreigners Grenada got to build some more, agroindustries, Grenadians think about, your economy. Many yes, many say we lovely, yes And we full ah spice, But we cannot sit so no, to say the whole thing nice. Ah say we place need facilities, people need education and to learn new technology, To build my island, we need the profession, and arrange we system, Know who to take out and who to put in I say to reconstruct the house of Grenada, We got to reconstruct it, talkin’ ‘bout the whole infrastructure We got to reconstruct it we just can’t depend on foreigners Grenada got to build some more, more national pride, Grenadians think about, your country’s stride. 19

Forget about party, party, And come out and worky, worky, Plenty people migratin’, looking for a better livin’ Ah say we cah lewwe country brain drain to flap, no And lose all the ones who could take us up to the top Without favourism, we’ll be more outstanding Because we got what it takes But the right ones don’t always get the break. I say to reconstruct the house of Grenada, We got to reconstruct it, talkin’ ‘bout the whole infrastructure We got to reconstruct it we just can’t depend on foreigners Grenada got to think about, punctuality, Grenadians think about, your economy. These are the things that cause me to sing a calypso To let the youths dem know, we gotta get off the streets and off the ghetto Ah say we got to reconstruct Grenada, if we want to push our sports and culture, To bring a new marche gras, we need a good savannah Reconstruct it again, so we won’t really have to run from the rain.

I say to reconstruct the house of Grenada, We got to reconstruct it, talkin’ ‘bout the whole infrastructure We got to reconstruct it we just can’t depend on foreigners Grenada got to think about, punctuality, Grenadians think about, your economy.

“Soca in She Corazone” 1990 Manuela, a Spanish speaking native of Costa Rica, encounters the singer and loves the sounds of sweet soca enticing her to dance all night well into the morning.

“Swing Low” 2011 A party song, inviting listeners to go down low because he the singer, has a sweet melody to offer. Come let’s dance, because my music has the possibility of reaching you.

“Pull him out” 1991 A song based on the war in Kuwait, with Mr. Saddam Hussein’s nvasion from Iraq, a creative masterpiece. He uses the situation of rape between male and female to epitomise the situation of ‘little’ Kuwait in confront of Iraq. He even includes the need for the Bush doctor to fix the situation. “Calypso War” 1993 A song dedicated to the rivalry among artists during competition. It speaks to the way patrons behave, asking them to promote instead the artform and not fight over specific artists. “No man rules” 1994 A jab woman, in a party, who had a time and fully enjoyed herself, “No man rules, meh body; No man rules meh head, no man rules they party.” An interesting delivery from a man of physical strength, singing to empower woman. “Steel Pan” 2010 A fast-paced song asking for the recognition of the pan men. “Play steelpan, it’s carnival, play steelband it’s bacchanal, let’s dingolay, let’s breakaway” let’s dance to its music. Now replaced by the djs, the Steelband has lost it’s prominence. He states that people internationally appreciate the sound of the pan and we should too. “Scholars and Beast” 2010 Using the name of two local champion calypsonians, he delivers, a biting piece, pointing out the oblivious, that many times it’s the ones in high places which cause the demise of the society, often for their personal gain and power hungry individuals. The scholars, in his opinion have destroyed the economy, and have develop weapons of mass destruction, causing world crisis. All natural things have become artificial and synthetic causing disease and hurt. 20

2023

Cultural

Winners

The information provided in this segment is taaken from the Spicemas Corperation social media pages and is current up to time of publication of this piece.

National Queen

Winner- Amonai Francis (St. David) Copped the catergories of; Best interview, Swimwear, Costume & Ms. Photogenic First Runner-up- Anika John (St. Andew) Copped the catergory of: Best talent Second Runner-up- Shequera Taylor (St. John) Copped the Catergory of: Best Eveningwear Miss Congeniality- Angel Augustine (St. Mark)

Calypso Monarch

Groovy Monarch

Second positionSean Niles Sour Serpent “No Ears” & “The Scholars of Calypso”

Second PositionMatthew Thomas Mr. Gold’n “In Meh head”

WinnerKelly Clyne Winner- Jalon Olive Rootsman Kelly Boyzie “ Dy Nuttin’” & “ De Whole Place” “Middlefinger”

Third positionJason Joseph Big J “We men getting licks” & Sing Nice” Fourth position- Valene Nedd “Women of Power/ Something ain’t right” Germaine Simon “Transformation/Overstay”

Third PositionShondell Amada Dash “Greater”

Power Soca Monarch Winner- Shem Bernard Terra D Governor “Zen Mode”

Traditional Mas

Winner- House of Creation

Traditional Mas Band- Hermitage Shortknee Traditional Mas Band (Other)- St. Patrick Apache Second Position- Robbie Augustine Tradiditonal Mas Vieux Corp- House of Creation Robulous “In Meh Land” Third Position- Jalon Olive Boyzie “Draw Near”

Monday Night Mas

Winners- Golden Mass Band

Panorama

Winner- Nexa New Dimensions Second Position-Republic Bank Angel Harps Third Position- Co-op Bank Commencheros

Road March

Winners- Temptress “Toot-Toot” Robulous- ”In Meh Land”

Image source Spicemas Corperation Facebook page

Historical Figure Feature Sir Eric Matthew Gairy

renada has had a total of 9 Prime Ministers, Sir Eric Matthew Gairy was the first of these. Dubbed the father of Independence, his role as leader commenced long before the formality and, though his motive for this move, is debatable in some circles, it is still a fact. Prior to becoming the country’s first Prime Minster, Gairy was the country’s head, pre-independence from 1961-1962 and was Premier from 1967- 1974, the omitted years are interesting. His lead as PM lasted from 1974 to 1979. Born 18th February 1922, in Dunfermline, St. Andrew, he completed his basic education in Grenada and like most, delved in the field of education for a brief period, prior to migrating to Aruba where he worked on an oil refinery-a move done by many back then.

He returned to Grenada at 27, in 1949, and quickly went on to establish in 1950, the Grenada Manual & Mental Workers Union- an institution still standing to this day. He returned to Grenada at 27, in 1949, and quickly went on to establish in1950, the Grenada Manual & Mental Workers Unionan institution still standing to this day. The GMMWU was the base for his political milage in the years to come, and indeed his legacy. In 1951, he led a general strike against the sugar estates for better wages and working 23

conditions, resulting in many buildings and estates being burnt, giving our history books “Sky Red.” Ironically, Gairy himself, was taken into custody and given 52 police cases by the British authorities, who had to call in military reinforcements to quelch the protests. In1951, Grenada held its first election under universal suffrage, Gairy won and remained in power until 1957, until he was defeated by the Grenada National Party, led by Dr. John Watts. A hero to the people, he returned to power in 1962, but was ousted from office by the British for “disregarding and contravening laws and regulations governing the control of expenditure, spent public funds wastefully and unnecessarily and destroyed the morale of the Civil Service through the use of threats against the security of office.” SQUANDERMANIA was the term used. In his desire “to build Grenada and make Grenada a place of global repute and recognition,” he established the Grenada Untied Labour Party, GULP in 1950. But was banned from politics between 1957 and 1961. Corruption led to his replacement by the Grenada National Party led by Herbert Blaize, during whose reign Grenada became an Associated State.

A hero to the people, he returned to power in 1962, but was ousted from office by the British ......“disregarding and contravening laws and regulations governing the control of expenditure...”

Speculation was rife in Gairy’s dealings with many American businessmen to purchase land and build tourist hotels on the island, a popular belief that money was often passed under the table for a successful bid. It was rumoured that he developed “a real estate company around himself, through which the sale of government lands has been negotiated.” He returned to power as Chief Minister and Minister of Finance in 1961 from August to April, through a by-election, but was once again dismissed for questionable use of state funds. 1962-1967 Gairy served as leader of the opposition but in 1967-72 and 1972-74 won the general election as Premier of the Associated state of Grenada. Gairy became Grenada’s Prime Minister in 1974, but the years from 74-79 were laced with civil strife and a heightened political environment, steeped in social tension led by his secret police, the Mongoose gang.

Gairy became Grenada’s Prime Minister in 1974, but the years from 74-79 were laced with civil strife and a heightened political environment, steeped in social tension.... Though an Associated state with a population of approximately 90, 000, we had internal self-government but were dependent upon Britain for Foreign Affairs and Defence. In 1969, Grenada hosted the first Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) EXPO, at a cost of 3 Million dollars, Grenada was the Caribbean island on the move with a leader who got things done. One intolerant of any form of opposition, Gairy’s use of his Mongoose Gang was one of the major downfalls of his reign. The incident dubbed “Bloody Sunday” on November 18th, 1973, resulted in 9 arrests and others

hospitalised. “Bloody Monday” which occurred on 21 January 1974, was a brutal cross of events between Gairy supporters and those of NJM and resulted in the death of Rupert Bishop, father of Maurice Bishop. From then on, the political and social climate of the country grew even more tense. In such a tense atmosphere and based on circulated rumours, indicating that Gairy would use the Mongoose Gang to eliminate leaders of the New Jewel Movement, while on visit to the US, leaders of said movement, led a revolution and overthrew the government. They then went on to suspend the constitution and ruled by decree until 1983 with the death of 2 individuals. Gairy remained in exile until 1983, when the revolution collapsed and the US, with the help of Dame Eugenia Charles of PM of Domenica and Edward Seaga of PM of Jamiaca, invaded Grenada to topple the military government which overthrew and killed Bishop. According to the Institute of Current World Affairs, in a document dated May 1969, Grenada was already sighted as the most likely location for political unrest/crisis due to the conditions in the country. “ Grenada will most likely be the next serious crisis spot erupting in the Caribbean. For beneath the surface appearance of fast-paced tourist development and in spite of Grenada’s image as a mini-state going places, the island is actually in a high state of tension which should be watched…” Sir Gairy campaigned in the elections of 1984. However, his party lost the elections, winning 36% of the popular vote but only a single seat in the House of Representatives. Attempts by Gairy and his party to return to power in 1990 and 1995 were also unsuccessful. He died in Grand Anse, Grenada receiving a state funeral on August 23rd, 1997. 24

Timeline of life events Sir Matt

1967 Ma with fore under Bri

In 1950 Bishop family returned from Aruba to Grenada Maurice Rupert Bishop was born on 29 May 1944 on the island of Aruba 1951, 1954, and 1957 elected as a Representative of the Colony of Grenada`s Legislative Council 1951 founded GULP

Born 18th February, 1922, Dunfermiline, St. Andrew

1922

1949 returned to Grenada he became a union organizer and politician

1949

1941-43 1941-42 migrated to Trinidad to work at a U.S. oil refinery base. 1943 Aruba, the Netherland, Antilles

1951 Sky Red massive strike and estate destruction, civil strife as workers protested against low wages and poor working conditions on the estates.

1951

1950 1950 founded the Grenada Manual, Maritime & Intellectual Workers' Union (GMMIWU)

1961

1961 July via a by-ele became Chief Ministe dismissed in April 196

1957-1961 banned from politics because of Squandermania 1958 January- the Federation of the West Indies was formed.

thew Gairy Negative aspects of career Meaningful aspects of career

arch- Grenada becomes autonomous, eign and defence affairs remaining itish control.

ection er, 62

Grenada hosted the first ever Caribbean EXPO in 1969.

1963 Bishop leaves Grenada for December from London.

1970 Bishop returned to Grenada in December from London. 1977 Request for reserach U.F.O. at U.N.

1967-72 and 1972-74 won the general election as Premier of the Associated state of Grenada.

April 1962 dismissed for misuse of state funds.

On 13 March 1979, outsted by New Jewel Movement.

1967-74

1962

1962-67

1962-1967 Gairy served as leader of the opposition

1979

1974-79 Grenada’s Prime Minister in 1974, but the years from 74-79 were laced with civil strife.

“Bloody Sunday” on November 18th, 1973- 9 hospitalised. “Bloody Monday” which occurred on 21 January 1974- 1 dead Gairy stayed in exile in the United States until 1983 1984 Gairy then returned to Grenada and campaigned in the elections, winning a single seat. Sir Eric Gairy died on 23 August 1997

Sir Gairy’s Achievements, circa 1972 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Grenada’s successful participation in the MISS WORLD CONTEST Appointment of Lady Governor Expo ‘69 National Zoo Round Abouts Building of new G.B.S.S. Science block Creation of a separate Ministry of Agriculture Beautification of Grand Etang Establishment of modern visiting stations and Midwifery centres Communal Lavatories and Baths Community Centres Electricity expansion, Carriacou Electricity expansion, Grenada Establishment of new Jetty, Carriacou Establishment of new access roads Improvement of facilities at Pearls Improvement of facilities at Lauriston Agriculture Year, 1981 Opening of Tourist Office in New York Establishment of Radio Grenada with the introduction of morning programmes including the live broadcast of Sunday Services Children’s hour Radio Grenada Psychiatric Unit True Blue Motels Improvement of road from True Blue to St. George’s Town Coffee Factory Expansion of Water Services Appointment of Agricultural Instructor for schools Construction of modern cocoa fermentary - St. David’s Public Officers back pay Meet the People Tours Visit of President Chung of Guyana New school for the blind New school for the deaf and dumb Coastal patrol Oil and gas offshore exploration Creation of healthy tourism climate for expanded hotel construction 27

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

• • •

New school buses More scholarships to primary schools Introduction of nursing aids and assistants City of St. George Disaster Fund Increase of Scholarships to Universities Revitalisation of Farmers’ Clubs Visits of Farmers overseas Subsidy to Carriacou Lime and Cotton growers Considerable increase in budgetary proposals Substantial Financial aid to local sporting teams competing abroad Elimination of budgetary aid Purchase of True Blue Estate Land for the Landless Agricultural Scholarships to Guyana Declaration of Agriculture between Venezuela and Grenada November, 71 Premier’s New York Award Participation of Grenada in Youth Camps abroad Formation of Grenada Cadet Corps Establishment of another port of entry for pleasure Yachts at Prickly Bay and added maritime facilities Improvement of Esplanade-Blind Workshop etc. Telephone in Schools Technical College Chemist’s Laboratory at Tanteen Annandale Water Scheme Revival of Steel Band and weekly Steel Band Concerts Recording and reproduction of local folk culture on Radio Grenada Overseas visits of Carnival Queens and Carnival Contestants sponsored by the Honourable Premier Government’s policy of replacing expatriates by local persons Widening opportunities in civil service to accommodate more levels, and also more jobs Substantial additional school places at secondary level.

**Information is taken from https://www.facebook. com/541493809280116/photos/a.544756568953840/544756702 287160/?type=3

Sir Eric Gairy as he addressed the UN in 1977

Sir Gairy’s malfeasance

•

• • • • •

•

He was accused of having implemented shortterm policies based on self-interest through which only the people will suffer consequences in the long run. Accused again of selling off Grenada’s top assets to the highest bidder, fears the country will be in the hands of developers, capable of making decisions for the people He had 5 cars Several suits tailored from the US Several homes on the island The 1969 budget of 21, 319,540 was 50% more than that of 1967, in name of funding a Grenada defence force. Senator Ben Jones, president of the Opposition Party GNP- Grenada National Party, had his 40 cocoa trees hacked down during the night. Ben Jones also worked in Aruba at the oil Refineries. Approx. $24 left in the National treasury1979

“Evening Palace,” a Gairy-owned nightclub at Morne Rouge By 1979, Agriculture dropped 25%, unemplyment rose 45%, food prices rose 200%, clothing 164%, & housing 135%,

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100072348005310&__tn__=-UC*F https://iamgrenada.com/grenada-prime-ministers/ https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/grenada/108139.htm https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19596901 https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gd_hist.html https://nacla.org/article/american%27-man-talk-ericgairy

Moko Jumbi Traditional Mass

Moko Jumbie in Mali among the Dogan peoples, a tribe light years ahead of our time.

Lady Moko Jumbie, in Trinidad. Originally they had elaborate skirted costumes with feathered hats, but had to change due to the curiosity of onlookers.

Moko Jumbie as seen in U.S. Virgin Islands. Fun fact- the Maori [(New Zealand) Polynesia] Ta Moko is a tattoo on chin and nose represents an individual’s ancestry and personal history. https://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/about-ncc/departments/regional/ trad-carnival-characters/337-traditional-mas-characters-moko-jumbie.h tml https://www.findyello.com/tip/trinidad/shes-so-high-meet-stephani-kanhai-the-moko-jumbie-queen/ https://repeatingislands.com/2009/10/28/moko-jumbie-stilt-dancing-rooted-in-the-ancient-traditions-of-african-slaves/

ie The Moko Jumbie, is usually dressed on bright elaborate colours, long pants or skirts to camouflage the wooden stilts, with a simple top of satin or velvet, sometimes accompanied with a hat and mask. They’ve been around since 1900s during carnival.

Grenadian Moko Jumbie, standing on slits anywhere between 5-12ft above others. The term ‘Moko” is an African word, with diverse designations, from Central Africa, considered a healer in West Africa a diviner or deity (Orisha) of Retribution. ‘Jumbie’ possibly coming from the Congolese word “zombie,” denotes a ghost or spirit. The Moko Jumbie is a protector of his village as he stands tall above everyone else, allowing him to foresee danger or evil coming to the village. Legends also say they are to fear children into adulthood.

“The woman and her hen” Over the next few volumes we would feature old adages of culture from Aesop Fables. Many older heads knew these stories maybe reported to them through the ‘Royal Readers’ text book, of which my mother spoke so highly of; Aesop, according to the Great Dominican author, J.A. Rogers, in his book entitled, “World’s Great men of Colour vol. 1”, describes him as, ”flat-nosed….with lips thick and pendulous and a black skin from which he contracted his name Esop being the same with Ethiop).” By all accounts the grand Aesop was not a very attractive individual but had a mind as great as any philosopher, in fact, he can be dubbed the grand-father of philosophy. Here is the first of many to come, with topical reflections on the lessons therein.

A woman possessed a Hen that gave her an egg every day. She often pondered how she might obtain two eggs daily instead of one, and at last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the Hen a double allowance of barley. From that day, the Hen became fat and sleek, and never once laid another egg. Moral: Set bounds to our desires and content ourselves when we are well. As a nation, we are at a critical stage in our history. Next year, we’ll celebrate 50 years as a nation, and one must ask if we have consolidated what being Grenadian means. For years, politics has been the defining factor of what being Grenadian meant; At this juncture, it may be prudent and wise to return to tradition and culture, as the determining factors and the markings of our nation’s identity. A political party cannot be the definition of a nation, they come, and they go. What makes a people who they are, but their customs, their history, their strides and victories, and their unity and communities? As highlighted in our last volume, we need to look at what defined us, what made Grenada who she is? Let’s hold her up to the sun investigating what worked for us in the pastlet’s keep it, wake it up, revive it- if we are happy with it- then leave let alone and let’s build better in its place. With that defined, now let’s turn our eyes to the future coming towards us, we must decide what form of development we seek and where we would like to be in the next 50 years. How will we get there? Will it be through our own indigenous means, agriculture, culture & heritage, exports, service and commerce, foreign investments? What will Grenada look like in the next 50 years? She needs peace of mind and stability to grow, the divide among our people will not bring us there. The “fight down” of each other will not bring us there, the selfish attitude of only seeking what’s better for oneself individually – will not get us there. If Grenada fails, we all fail. If she rises, we all do. Those at home and aboard. The onus is on us, as community and country to define what she looks like. Will we rely on the ways made and delivered to us, or would we be bold enough to forge an identity that reflects who we are? The multi-national callaloo that we are? She needs a national dress and print, maybe we can start there? Let’s set boundaries on what the Grenadian nation desires and let’s be happy with the things that have worked well but forge unto new aspirations with caution. 31

Colonization’s Best Interest Imagine, the rage the ancestors must feel, Seeing with their eyes buried in mud and steel, The ones who so abused and used Their bones grinding life out of them, Return to blood-stained land, With cash in hand, To amused offspring left behind, the gates of the ocean from the point of no return. Oh, how their stomachs must churn.

4094 of them in 12 generations for 400 years, For just one of us to make it here, Alive and free, In a land they fought for us to be, And we in turn, turn around, accepting mediocrity and half-done-ness, while others show up to claim, Where we have grown visionless? We look at it every day, With foreign eyes and borrowed minds, The paradise from which we want to break free, Seeking Jones’ and prosperity, Turning to the foreign north Or benevolent far east, Neglecting the Kalinago, Mandingo, the Kongo, Oared to our shores. Camahogne, conception island Amnesia has set in at almost 50 years old, Has she lost her soul? We must do right by her,

Photo by <a href=”https://unsplash.com/@capturelight?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText”>John Thomas</a> on <a href=”https://unsplash.com/photos/JKbrFPsGYhI?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText”>Unsplash</a>

Not a penny offered in reticence. Committed wounds unnoticed. Property bought with hefty pockets, Then, compensated, Have returned to purchase the stated. A paradise eked out of remnants of what was broken, despite the indifference.

Reclaim her heritage, We are not in shortage, Of Knowledge and grace, And the deep love for each other, That’s why we passionate so, We are too loyal to our own detriment. And they know it.

Guest Editorial originally from The Grenadian Voice

Let’s live the lives envisioned by those who struggled for emancipation August 7th, 2020

he global explosion of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, following the killing in the US of African-American George Floyd, has led to a reassessment of the effects of the transatlantic slave trade on African people. In his message this year Sir Hilary reminded us that it took nearly a century after the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 before the final vestiges of this crime against humanity were eradicated in our region. We note with interest that this year two of the UK’s biggest institutions, the Church of England which has given rise to the Anglican Church and the Bank of England, apologized for their historic links to slavery with the church calling it “a source of shame”. There are reports that this was exposed by the University College London (UCL) which revealed that nearly 100 clergymen and six governors plus four directors of the bank benefitted from slavery. The bank has since promised to remove any images on display of former 33

executives who were involved with the slave trade.

“ Sir Hillary revealed on television that the Codrington Estate in Barbados was owned by the Church of England and the letters COE were burnt on the shoulders of the slaves as a mark of possession by their owners.” In his research, Sir Hillary revealed on television that the Codrington Estate in Barbados was owned by the Church of England and the letters COE were burnt on the shoulders of the slaves as a mark of possession by their owners. He added that the money that came as a result of slavery was sent back to Britain to build more churches as they actively perpetrated slavery and profited from it. However we must not forget the role that church played in the abolition of slavery. This year, according to Sir Hilary Beckles, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the

West Indies, emancipation is commemorated and celebrated while the COVID-19 pandemic is aggressively ripping the plasters from the sores of racial injustice and social and economic inequality in many of the societies in our hemisphere. The observation of this Emancipation period he said, is the commemoration of the epic struggles of our ancestors in Africa, the Caribbean and elsewhere to rid the world of the scourge of chattel slavery and we celebrate that achievement which finally came in 1834. In the CARICOM region, that year is considered by many as the birth of the Caribbean. But it is again an opportunity to reflect on the issues associated with this birth.

“...stating the historical fact that the British government rewarded its planters, enforcers, investors and all others who promoted and profited from the enslavement of Africans with the sum of twenty million

pounds – equivalent today of approximately two and a half trillion pounds.” As Chairman of the CRC he said that the Commission does not tire of stating the historical fact that the British government rewarded its planters, enforcers, investors and all others who promoted and profited from the enslavement of Africans with the sum of twenty million pounds – equivalent today of approximately two and a half trillion pounds. Of note here is that the debt the British government incurred to pay this sum, equivalent to sixty percent of its then gross national product, was not retired until 2015. This is important as it provides one of the bases for the CARICOM reparations claim against Britain. The Professor pointed to the fact that the British Emancipation Act of 1833 made the British government irrefutably complicit in the enslavement of Africans, for that Act recognized in British law for the first time, that Africans were chattel, property which could be bought and sold, property for the loss of which they paid enslavers. The assessment of the value of their chattel in the Caribbean by the

planters was forty seven million pounds of which the British government could only provide twenty million. The remaining twenty seven million was paid to the planters through the period of apprenticeship where the former enslaved were forced to still provide free labour to the plantations for the first four years of their supposed freedom. In other words, the enslaved paid with their sweat and blood more than fifty percent of the supposed cost of ‘their freedom’. The case for reparations cannot be made stronger.

“In other words, the enslaved paid with their sweat and blood more than fifty percent of the supposed cost of ‘their freedom’.” In closing he said that it is these considerations that prompted Sir Arthur Lewis, who we consider as the father of the reparations movement in the Caribbean, to forcibly impress on Britain that it has an unpaid debt to the region of two hundred years of free labour. It is that debt for which the CARICOM governments now demand settlement. This period of celebration allows us all to bask in the creativity of our people, to recognize our contributions to world

culture through intellectual pursuits, the arts and religion and sports and political organization – the barbarity of our past oppression, notwithstanding.

“Britain that it has an unpaid debt to the region of two hundred years of free labour. It is that debt for which the CARICOM governments now demand settlement.” The reflection must also provide the basis for the shaping of our future through development planning and the preparedness and commitment to build regional societies in which the challenges of poverty, poor health and education, poor housing and infrastructure are eradicated and our people are enabled to live the lives envisioned by those who struggled to make emancipation a reality.

Photo Credit Artist’s instagram feed

V’GHN

’ghn, formerly known as Lil Vaughn came on the scene of Grenadian soca music, with his song “Charge up”, a song which got participants ignited by the lyrics of being charged for the festivities. This hit allowed him his first spot in the soca monarch finals, where he placed 3rd. That was 7 years ago and he was 17. Even then, his writing was well developed and rhythmic. He collaborated with the infamous Sandman to give us “O.T.N.O” in 2016, a well know groovy, which again captured the hearts of revelers on the road. V’ghn went on to give us “Bazode”, a collaboration again with Sandman, “Party Hard,” “Get Mad” (a collab with Flipo), “Throwback,” much akin to Alma boys “Old school lovin’”-an elder’s cry for the days gone by when music was worthy of a dark corner to groove. “No lie” was his final collab with Sandman, another hit for the carnival of 2015. V’ghn’s last performance in competition was in 2019 where he delivered “Soca Nice,” to a screaming crowd, word for word to his hitting and relatable lyrics. Dabbling in RnB/mild dancehall, he gave us a smooth beat “Honest Lies,” the perfect repentant cheater’s anthem, it’s better that a lie to you so as to not break or hurt his love. A definitive turn in V’ghn’s career came when he was taken under the wing of DJ Stephen, but also when he was able to pen songs for the legendary Blaxx out of Trinidad. It is to him that V’ghn continues to laud praises for the breakthrough in his career. With Stephen, who said he saw something in V’ghn that ladies loved- something he anticipated as an essential criteria for capturing audiences worldwide, his hit “Trouble in the Morning” was his breakout song on the Trinidad market, with views of over 2 Million on YouTube. A rebranded and a busy V’ghn emerged. After the quarantine period, a more matured artist came to us. V’ghn has travelled worldwide these past years, to Europe, Dubai, Japan to name a few. He has, since then, teamed up with other musical creatives from the region. Barbadian producer DJ Puffy and Trinidadian song-writer Mical Teja being

the most recent. V’ghn continues to spread his love for music internationally. His song ‘Finally’ one of the sweetest songs to be released after the quarantine period, an anthem of our relief to be ‘outside’ and be with each other again was and still is on the lips of many. This year for Spicemas V’ghn has delivered triplets- three highly refined, forever quintessential carnival songs of which we should be utterly proud! Welcome to Spicemas, Heaven on Earth and Greatness. Enjoy the lyrics to his two deliveries for Grenada’s Carnival 2023.

Welcome to Spicemas Can you feel the wind that blows from the seas to the carenage? Dancing wid oil in meh pores From meh head to meh toes, lawd, From fore day morning to j’ouvert Real mas in de people place Real mas in the town Costumes in feathers and gems, Watch de gyal dem pelt dem waist, So lewwe tell you, to tell dem, Welcome to Spicemas, So much niceness everywhere, Make yuh feel to whine yuh waist. This is we carnival, When de rhythm touch de bass Man we sure mash up de place. Is woman and rum when we come down Steelpan and drum Look we oil down, And is mas everywhere Look we hands in de air. Is woman and rum when we come down Steelpan and drum 36

Look we oil down And is mass everywhere Look we hands in de air. Alcohol in meh head ah cah help it This is madness guaranteed Can you feel love, This is real love, This not a music therapy This is where I have to be. Can you feel love, This is real love, From fore day morning to j’ouvert Real mas in de people place Real mas in the town, Costumes in feathers and gems, Watch de gyal dem pelt dem waist. So lewwe tell you to tell dem. Welcome to Spicemas, So much niceness everywhere, Make yuh feel to whine yuh waist. This is we carnival, When de rhythm touch de bass Man, we sure mash up de place. Is woman and rum when we come down Steelpan and drum Look we oil down, And is mass everywhere Look we hands in de air. Is woman and rum when we come down Steelpan and drum Look we oil down, And is mas everywhere Look we hands in de air. Can you feel the wind that blows from the seas to the carenage? 37

Dancing wid oil in meh pores From meh head to meh toes, lawd, From fore day morning to j’ouvert Real mas in de people place Real mas in the town Costumes in feathers and gems, Watch de gyal dem pelt dem waist, So lewwe tell you, to tell dem, Welcome to Spicemas, So much niceness everywhere, Make yuh feel to whine yuh waist, This is we carnival, When de rhythm touch de bass Man we sure mash up de place. Is woman and rum when we come down Steelpan and drum Look we oil down And is mas everywhere Look we hands in de air.

Heaven on Earth CPL Theme song 2023 Ohh, Jah, jah bless we, so we must smile This kinda music does make the sunshine so, Take me where have plenty faces Every creed and every races, This energy we cah waste it No, no, aye, tell dem, this is heaven on earth! It’s time to show the whole world. This is the way we celebrate love, By jumping aye, aye, aye, Wukkin’ up whole day. X2

Look de jab and dem right dey, Everybody dutty, Pitch oil all over we skin Only love and blessings. Look de gyal and dem right dey, everybody wukkin’ Masqueraders movin’ Everybody shoutin’ Ohhh, Lewwe show de world ohhh, Every boy and girl. This music is love, It’s in we bloodline Energies combine under the moonlight. Take me where the love is greatest, Every creed and every races This energy we cah waste it No, no, hey, tell dem, this is heaven on earth! It’s time to show the whole world.

Allu take a jump and do what you want Free up yuh heart, It’s time to show the whole world When, we on de road only love It’s so much love It’s time to show the whole world. This is the way we celebrate love, By jumping aye, aye, aye, Wukkin’ up whole day. X2 Look de jab and dem right dey, Everybody dutty, Pitch oil all over we skin Only love and blessings Look de gyal and dem right dey, everybody wukkin’ Masqueraders movin’ Everybody shoutin’ Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh Lewwe show de world Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh Every boy and girl.

This is the way we celebrate love, By jumping aye, aye, aye, Wukkin’ up whole day. X2 Look de jab and dem right dey, Everybody dutty, Pitch oil all over we skin Only love and blessings Look de gyal and dem right dey, everybody wukkin’ Masqueraders movin’ Everybody shoutin’ Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh Lewwe show de world Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh Every boy and girl.

V’ghn & Dj Puffy on set for collab “Big Chat”

FYI Camerhogne Folk Festival December 1st-3rd

Sauters, St. Patrick

Documentaries to Watch The documentary, which can be found on YouTube, through AfroMarxist, though the line of channel seems to be pro-revolution, it does give us an accute idea of what transpired during the years leading up to 1983. The following is what the channel had to say about the documentary. “The filming was completed shortly before the tragedies of October 1983 in this colorful work produced by the Caribbean Research Institute. John Douglas produced, filmed and edited the full-color work, and was co-directed by Carmen Ashurst and Samori Marksman and Douglas.

Vinie Burroughs is the narrator of this 55-minute film. The film is listed as a documentary on the Grenadian Revolution, traces Grenada’s early history, analyzes the impact of European colonialism and explain the evolution of modern Grenadian society. Much footage of Grenadians - [the executed] Maurice Bishop, Caldwell Taylor, Dessima Williams,Valerie Cornwall,

Books to Read

Candia Alleyne, Bernard Coard, Phyllis Coard, [the murdered] Fitzroy Bain, George Nurse, Brian Beggs, Claudette Pitt, [the late] Dorcas Braveboy, among others.” The link is provided below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z-AxNFx88o

Gramers to Insta

Vinatge Caribbean

Island learners Grenada The Assassination of Maurice Bishop Godfrey Smith

Junior History of Grenada Dr. Nicole Phillip-Dowe

Thank you !