According to news reports some "alleged" gay men clashed with revelers at a Bacchanal Jamaica road march yesterday. The Star reported that about six people (men and women) headed up Constant Spring road to join the parade near West Kings House Road in some very provocative attire.
"Yuh shoulda hear dem. One say anybody tackle wi today get mash up," George an alleged witness stated.
The altercations reportedly increased as the group moved along the route and turned into physical altercations. My question to these people who joined the parade route is, "Unno mad?" Why would you knowingly come out (as a man) in fishnet stockings and a g-string understanding that the crowd would not be sympathetic towards you? I believe it is okay to be who you are, but not okay to force your own sexual orientation on other people.
Shanique Myrie, a Jamaican national is seeking $500.00 from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for what she alleges is discriminatory actions from the Barbados Immigration department. Myrie claims on March 2011, that she was unlawfully detained and stripped searched after her arrival at Grantley Adams International Airport.
The 25-year-old states she was also deported the next day back to Jamaica.
I have to say I didn't know or believe that Bajans did not care for Jamaicans. I mean I have been following this case and I can't see why they detained her. You would think they would have some valid reason for sending her back to Jamaica. Will keep updated on this story.
So what you want to know about Yam?? Well yams originated in Africa. According to Wikipedia almost 95% of the world's yam crop is harvested. Well all I know is that I grew up eating yam with a lot of meals. American style potato is called, "Irish". I guess short for Irish potato. Below are some yams that can be found in Jamaica and many other tropical islands. It was stated that the secret behind Usain Bolt's fast running is Jamaican yam.
Barbados Yam: The Barbados Yam (aka bajan or renta yam) is delicate in
nature and considered a specialty by most farmers.
Imba Yam: The
Imba Yam grows wild in most Jamaican forests and is eaten roasted.
Moonshine Yam: The Moonshine Yam is a variety of the St. Vincent Yam that
farmers say will change to the color purple if planted during a certain phase
of the moon. It is also said that a female in a certain condition should walk
through a newly planted field to improve the condition.
Taw Yam: The
Taw Yam (aka white affu yam) is the white version of the round leaf yellow yam.
Yellow Yam: The
"Black Whisp" is the most common of the two yellow yam varieties and
has a softer texture. The "Round Leaf" is very hard and powdery when
roasted or cooked and is preferred by most consumers. Yellow yam is the most
commonly cultivated yam in Jamaica.
Bitter Gashie Yam: The Bitter Gashie Yam grows wild in most Jamaican forests
and is eaten roasted. It is said to be medicinal and was used by community
midwives to purge a new mother's system and soothe after-birth pain.
Hack Yam: The
Hack Yam is named after the hack bone in a cow's foot, which it resembles in
shape. It was brought to Jamaica by Africans who used it for spiritual powers.
It is said it was used to protect crops owned by Africans. The yam would be
planted at the entrance to fields to prevent intruders from stealing crops.
Legend has it that if a person pierces their ears during hack season a large
growth will appear on the ear that resembles the hack yam. Most people today
are still afraid to touch the hack yam.
Lucy Yam: The
Lucy Yam (aka macka yam) is whitish in color but softer than the negro yam. It
has sharp thorns on the tuber and vine, hence the name macka.
Mozzella Yam: The Mozzella Yam is yellow in color and has a soft, gummy
texture.
St. Vincent Yam: The Hard Yam is delicate in nature and considered a
specialty by most farmers.
White Yam: The
White Yam is delicate in nature and considered a specialty by most farmers.
Chinese Yam: The
Chinese Yam was brought to Jamaica by the Chinese. It grows in bundles like
potatoes and are considered a delicacy.
Hard Yam: The
Hard Yam is delicate in nature and considered a specialty by most farmers.
Negro Yam: The
Negro Yam is whitish in color with a hard texture. It is a cross between the
yellow yam and the taw yam.
Sweet Yam: The
Sweet Yam is delicate in nature and considered a specialty by most farmers.
Yampie Yam: The
Yampie Yam (aka African Tuber) has become very scarce but as the name suggests
it came to Jamaica directly from Africa.
You cannot come to the island of Jamaica, without noticing the people do speak differently. Actually, it is forbidden in many Jamaican homes to speak, "patois." Growing up I could only speak it at school with my schoolmates.
The debate going on in Jamaica for many years has been the whether or not Patois is a language or just a slang for Jamaica. The technical definition of the term Creole means-, a language which comes into being through contact between two or more languages. The most important part about this definition is that a new language comes about which was not there before, yet it has some characteristics of the original language(s) and also has some characteristics of its own. The Creole of Jamaica and the Caribbean is referred to as an 'English-lexicon' and this language came about when African slaves were forced into a situation where English, or at least a very reduced form of English, was the only common means of communication.
The slave traders and owners spoke English while the slaves spoke a variety of African languages and the slaves had to assimilate by learning English which explains why much of the vocabulary is English in origin. Although there is much English vocabulary, many words were also adopted from African languages when no equivalent English word could be found such as, words for people, things, plants, animals, activities, and especially religious words (Sebba 1, 1996, 50-1.) The name Jamaica itself was derived from the Arawak word Xaymaca meaning "Island of springs," but no other known trace(s) of the Arawak, the indigenous inhabitants of Jamaica, exist today.
The debate surrounding the use of Patois as opposed to Standard English includes a number of issues and dates back to the times of slavery when Jamaicans had Standard English presented as a superior language and the indigenous language was denigrated to an inferior status. Today, more than 90% of the 2.5 million people in Jamaica are descendants of slaves brought from western Africa by the British. English is the official language but, Patois is the local language and still holds its' Africa. Below is an example of Jamaican Patois.
USA: It's been a long time since I have seen you, girl. JA: Gal yuh noh dead yet?
USA: Lord, we have lost electricity again! JA: Lawd Gad, current lack aff again!
USA: Where did you buy that awful bracelet, Cindy? JA: A weh yuh buy dat deh big ole ugly bangle deh, missus?
USA: Hors d'oeuvres. JA: Ah wah dis likkle sinting yuh a gi me?
USA: I think something is wrong with Susan, she might have the flu. JA: Lawd Gad, breeze tek up Suzie!
USA: Girl, those shoes are the bomb. JA: Gyal, yuh roach killa dem a seh one out deh.
USA: Oh my gosh, I just broke Mom's expensive plate. JA: Lawd mi Gad, mi bruk up Mama stoosh crackry.
USA: Aren't those pants a bit short? JA: Yuh did a expect flood ar yuh tek yuh measurement inna wata?
USA: Why are you squeezing the mangoes like that? JA: Lissen mi nuh, mi a beg yuh stap fingle-fingle up di mango dem.
USA: Sir, please don't throw my luggage like that. JA: Aye buff teet bwoy, tap fling up-fling up mi bag dem suh man.
USA: I wish you would quit lying. JA: Tap di blinkin lyin, yuh ole liyad.
USA: Lift the hood off the car for me, John. JA: Hey my yute, fly di bonnet!
Many of Jamaica's healthcare professionals are currently executing a sickout. Yesterday Dr. Fenton Ferguson acknowledged that services at most health facilities island wide are on limited to emergency only basis. I understand and sympathize with the healthcare professionals but healthcare was at a low before this sickout. When you are on an island that has limited choice of healthcare facilities this really affects the public. According to public reports Ferguson told the House of Representatives that there was no "elective surgery" taking place at the healthcare facilities He did state that the ministry knew how to deal with such emergencies. How do you feel about this crisis in Jamaica.
Dis yah sistern dangerous iyah. Da Nana Nana Ill. Man a guh did up feh dat one 1 2 3 It's CHERINE hold him baby Hold him baby Mi say hold him baby Hold him baby hold him baby Hold him baby Mi say hold him baby
I am going to start off by saying how amazing it is that most of our entertainers end up in the United States Judicial system- sometimes warranted-sometimes not.
Yesterday reggae artist Mark Myrie popularly known as "Buju Banton" got a reprieve yesterday when it was revealed that juror Teri Wright had submitted the wrong computer for the forensic examination. Banton has been convicted of trying to set up a deal to buy 11 pounds of cocaine an sentenced to 10 years in prison.
I find it interesting that United States entertainers go free or do minimum to no time on drug related issues. Reports stated Banton's lawyers retained an expert who tracked down approximately 1.6 million internet records however none pertained to the time frame of February 14 to March 8.
If in fact this new evidence results in a mistrial I hope Mr. Banton will consider lifestyle changes and companion changes and focus more on his music bringing Jamaica and the world the music we love.
