Learn Patois mon

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!

Below is a good video to learn Patois

No come a Jamaica if yuh sick

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.

Intervention in Negril Water Situation

The water shortage near parts of Negril and other parts of the western parish in Jamaica is getting bad. The hoteliers in the area state their livelihoods are being threatened. Evelyn Smith, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) held a meeting that outlined some of the challenges.
"Water has always been a challenge in the area for a number of years particularly in our drier months but over the years it has gotten particularly bad over the last six months," she reported.

For more of the story Click Here.

Irie's Featured School- Wolmers

I decided to do a feature weekly about some of Jamaica's Schools. Wolmers has a history rich in education. Wolmer's currently has 3 schools which carry its name. The first school mentioned is Wolmer's Prep.  The first headmistress for this school  was Mrs. Evelyn Skempton. Currently June Spence who has been serving in her position since 1992. Always promoting excellence this school is very proud of its rich traditions.

You can find out more about Wolmer's Prep at http://www.wolmers.net/prep/index.html


Wolmer's Girl School- I have grown up with several friends who attended Wolmer's Girl School. I use to love to visit their sporting events. Wolmers can trace its history as far back as 1729. This would make it the oldest school in the West Indies. The earliest enrollment on record in recorded 64 boys and 15 girls on roll. The staff consisted of a Chief Master, a writing master and accountant, a teacher of mathematics and a teacher of the French and Spanish languages.

Wolmer’s school was originally situated in downtown Kingston at what is still known as the Wolmer’s yard, now a parking lot and vendors’ arcade beside the Kingston Parish Church. In 1896, the schools were separated and independent heads appointed for the Boys’ and Girls’ schools. After 1907 earthquake, when most of the school buildings were destroyed, the schools was moved to its present site north of Race Course or what is now the National Heroes Park.

For more of the wonderful history of this school you can visit their site at http://www.wolmers.net/girls/history.html

Do You Think Buju Banton Will Run?

Do you think Buju Banton will run. Buju was unable to post bail so Stephen Marley (Bob's son), posted the bail. Actually he used his own home as bond, worth over $300,000 dollars. Bets are that Buju will still try to run before the hearing. I hope he doesn't. What do you think?

...before he was released, Banton agreed to wear an electronic monitoring device, sign an extradition waver and hire a private security team -- at his own expense -- to ensure that he doesn't try to run away or seek asylum in Jamaica.

   

Should the Minister Resign

 

 It isn't Just the Minister. He who have no sins cast the first stones.

Knives and Machetes at School?

Knives and machetes at school? I read this report and thought back at the days when I was a schoolgirl and knew no school I ever went to would of tolerated this. Apparently according to a report by the Jamaica Observer, some school children are leaving their weapons outside the school gates with the local vendors. My question would be why are they bringing knives to school anyway?

The superintendent told the Observer that these vendors were "major players" in this illicit activity that has greatly assisted students involved in gang feuds at schools across the island. In fact, Forbes said that when these weapons are handed back to the youngsters at the end of the day they usually figure very prominently in clashes at transportation hubs and other points where students gather — sometimes with deadly consequences.

In October, two students — one in Kingston and the other in St Mary — died in violence involving schoolchildren. Both students were stabbed to death. Head of the St Andrew Central Police Division, Superintendent Derrick Knight, also told the Observer that last month there were reports of around 10 violent clashes among schoolchildren in his division alone.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Big Up Bob Andy

I got to go back home- nuh true (dedicated to all Yardies abroad)

Rema Man get big Joke

The Jamaica Star has reported a 50 year old man from Rema (Wilton Gardens), is now the laughing stock of the district. It appears an 18 year old woman from the same district tricked him into giving her a total of 100,000.00 dollars by claiming she was pregnant. Information reaching THE STAR is that two weeks ago, relatives of the 50-odd-year-old man attacked the teenager after her best friend made it known that the pregnancy was false. 

"Yu see how woman wicked, dis young girl deh wid di ole man and trick him say she pregnant jus' fi get money," a resident and cousin of the teen, 32-year-old Joseph Williams told THE STAR.

I read this and thought, it was that woman is wicked by how so many men allow sex to rule their life so much that they allow women to make joke of dem.



For more of the story click here----> Jamaica Star

Tribute to Barry Chevannes

  

Barry Chevannes was a  graduate of St George’s College and gained his B.A. (Philosophy) and M.A. from Boston College, his Master's in sociology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and his doctorate in applied anthropology from Columbia University, where he defended his thesis on the Rastafari movement in Jamaica. 

His publications in this area have made him one of the leading international scholars on the Rastafari. They include Rastafari: Roots and Ideology and scores of articles in learned journals. His edited collection, Rastafari and Other African Caribbean Worldviews was nominated for the 1995 Katherine Briggs Award in the United Kingdom. 

He was  well known for his public service. He chaired the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, was the founder of Fathers Incorporated, and of Partners for Peace, and is recognized for his original contribution to Jamaican folk and religious song heritage. He was also a member of the Peace Management Initiative of the Minister of National Security, Chairman of the Jamaican Justice System Reform Task Force and Co-chair of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development. 

On November 5, Professor Chevannes lost his struggle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Paulette and two daughters. Today many mourners  poured onto the grounds of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, not for classes, but to pay their last respects to this great man. The chapel was filled with people from Bruce Golding to Portia Simpson Miller and Edward Sega. government officials and dignitaries.

 

Time to Say Goodbye to All

The Jamaican Observer recent article mentions that several sendoff will be occuring in the next couple of days. Noticeably the late great Sonia Pottinger will have her sendoff on Friday, November 19th at 10am at the St Andrew Parish Church.

The following day, Saturday November 20, starting at 10:00 a.m, there will be a Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the life of Reggae star, Gregory Isaac's. The viewing of Gregory’s body will take place at the same venue the day before the funeral between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 

The body of the legendary Reggae artiste who died in England on October 25, 2010, was flown to Jamaica on Thursday, November 11, 2010.

Youth, Sports and Culture minister Olivia Grange said her ministry will be assisting the Isaacs family with the arrangements for the Thanksgiving Service being planned.

Source: Go Jamaica and Jamaica Observer

OAS to give Aid to Hurrican Affected Countries

It seems the OAS (Organization of American States), will be giving relief aid to five Central American and Caribbean nations affected by Hurricane Tomas and Richard. CaribWorldNews, reported The Organization of American States on Tuesday pitched in $125,000 from the Inter-American Emergency Aid Fund to helping Belize, Costa Rica, Haiti, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were affected by hurricanes Tomas and Richard over the last few weeks and will all benefit from the aid.

Each country on Tuesday received $ 25,000 from OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, who said the `impact caused by these disasters remind us of the need to deal with this matter in a comprehensive way, not only from the point of view of relief, but from that of the whole strategy we have in our region.

Read More of the Story Here -------> HERE

Prince Buster

The music of Prince Bustamante has a unique unmistakable style. Cecil Bustamante Campbell, was born 28 May 1938. We know him better as Prince Buster. He is also known as Muhammad Yusef Ali. Prince Buster originally from Kingston, Jamaica is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of ska and rocksteady music. The records he made on the Blue Beat label in the 1960s inspired many reggae and ska artists.


 Some of his songs

• I Feel The Spirit (1963)
• Fly Flying Ska (1964)
• It's Burke's Law (1965)
• Pain In My Belly (1965)
• Ska-Lip-Soul (1965)
• What A Hard Man Fe Dead (1967)
• Prince Buster On Tour (1967)
• Judge Dread Rock Steady (1967)
• Ten Commandments - RCA (1967)
Source: wikipedia
• Wreck A Pum Pum (1968)
• Tutti Frutti - Melodisc (1968)
• FABulous Greatest Hits - FAB (1968)
• The Outlaw - Blue Beat (1969)
• 15 Oldies but Goodies - FAB
• Big Five - Melodisc (1972)
• The Message-Dub Wise - FAB/Melodisc (1972)
• Dance Cleopatra Dance - Blue Elephant (1972)
• Chi Chi Run - FAB (1973)
• She Was A Rough Rider (1978)
• Sister Big Stuff - Melodisc (1976)
• Jamaica's Greatest - Melodisc
• Subliminal Reaction - Subliminal Reacton
• FABulous Greatest Hits - 1963-1981 - Sequel (1993)
• The Original Golden Oldies Volume 1 (1998)
• The Original Golden Oldies Volume 2 (1999)
• The King of Ska (2002)
• Prince of Peace: Prince Buster with Determinations Live in Japan (2003)

 

Prince Buster now lives in Miami, Florida. He has performed at a few shows over the past several years, including the 2002 Legends Of Ska festival in Toronto, in Dedham, Massachusetts in 2002, in the 2006 Boss Sounds Reggae Festival in Newcastle upon Tyne and 2007's Rhythm Festival. During the last day of the 2008 Notting Hill Carnival, Prince Buster made an appearance on the Gaz's Rockin' Blues stage, alongside The Trojans.

Royal Caribbean Sued Over Gas Leak

 

According to Eturbonews.Com , a Florida trial attorney John H. “Jack” Hickey has filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court claiming that even though Royal Caribbean Cruises, LTD. (RCCL) knew about a toxic gas leak onboard the “Monarch of the Seas” that killed three and injured several crew members, RCCL endangered the lives of thousands of passengers and numerous employees by continuing to operate the unsafe vessel for several months before completing the repairs. 

Read More here---> Here

The Melodians

I remember in the late sixties being introduced to the sounds of The Melodians. Their rich sound made you want to move your feet. The voices always in perfect harmony.
The melodians band formed in the Greenwich Town area of Kingston, Jamaica in 1965, by Tony Brevett (brother of The Skatalites bassist, Lloyd Brevett), Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton. Renford Cogle assisted with writing and arranging material.


From 1967 to 1968 they had a number of hits on Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label, including "You Have Caught Me", "Expo 67", "I'll Get Along Without You", and "You Don't Need Me." After recording "Swing and Dine" for record producer Sonia Pottinger, they recorded their biggest hit, "Rivers of Babylon" for Leslie Kong. This song became an anthem of the Rastafarian movement, and was featured on the soundtrack for the movie, The Harder They Come.[1] After Kong's death in 1971, they recorded for Lee Perry and Byron Lee's Dynamic Studios. In 1973, Brent Dowe left the group for a solo career. The group reformed briefly a few years later, and again in the early 1980's.


The had their revival in the 1990's. In 1992 they recorded "Song of Love", which was issued on the Tappa Zukie label. Throughout the later 1990s they continued touring internationally, including appearing at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in California in 2002. In November 2005 The Melodians embarked on a West Coast tour.


On the evening of 28 January 2006, after a rehearsal in preparation for a performance to take place the following weekend at the Jamaican Prime Minister’s residence, Brent Dowe suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 59. The remaining original members Tony Brevett and Trevor McNaughton continued touring in Europe and the U.S. backed by the Yellow Wall Dub Squad.


Albums


* Rivers of Babylon (Trojan, 1970)
* Sweet Sensation (Trojan, 1976)
* Sweet Sensation: The Original Reggae Hit Sound (Island, 1980)
* Irie Feelings (Ras, 1983)
* Premeditation (Skynote, 1986)


[edit] Compilation albums


* Swing and Dine (Heartbeat, 1993)
* Rivers of Babylon (Trojan, 1997)
* Sweet Sensation: The Best of the Melodians (Trojan, 2003)

Dead Body Found In Car

It appears, according to the Jamaica Observer,  that the body of an unidentified man was found slumped over the steering wheel of a Toyota Corolla motor car at Roseberry Drive, Kingston 8 last night.

The body is of dark complexion, medium build, about 167 centimetres (5 feet 6 inches) and appears to be in the mid 50s. It was clad in a black shirt, blue jeans and a pair of brown shoes.

More of the story here---> Observer

Coalition to Preserve Reggae - Sonia Pottinger

The Jamaica Observer reported that  Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music (CPR) are saddened to learn of the passing of Sonia Pottinger and have offered their condolences to her family and friends.

Story Here---> Observer

Sonya Spence

She is arguably the most talented artist that came out of the 70's in Jamaica. This was one of my favorite albums growing up.

3 year old firestarter?

It is so important to watch our kids. Now why was this mother outside and left the baby in the house alone. Delores Campbell of York Street in Franklin Town, Kingston is probably asking herself that question right now.

She and 4 other people were at the house when the fire stated. The 3 yr old is indeed suspected of starting the blaze

Campbell states she was outside washing when she was her home was on fire.She made and attempt to save what she could but she stated the smoke was too much for her. Estimated damage $2.6 million dollars.

Source: Jamaica Star

One Love Award- Recent Recipients

This award is meant to encourage and uplift others who seek to promote their true love of Jamaica in the blogging world. People who use their blog to share what Jamaica is all about.

Please select 1 blog that you feel is an exceptional example of this award, next select 4 blogs then Pay it Forward to by sending this award to them. They have to pay it forward selecting one exceptional blog choice an 4 additional people of their choice. Link back so we can see who has gotten this award

Recent recipients of the Onelove Award

Jamaica My Way gave it to 

http://empressdoms.blogspot.com/

and her 4 honorable mentions were
* Jamaica Photo Diary
* Things Jamaicans Love
* YardEdge
* JamaicanPrincess

Please check then out an show them some love.

(out of many ONE people..) forward