This article- “Poppies in Flanders“, made me realize/ remember that there are people among us who sacrificed and served us proud. I felt proud to be a Jamaican and at the same time felt as though there is something more i should be doing. I hope you take the chance to read the article and i hope it inspires the same sense of pride in did in both me and the author.

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Patois bodderashun
By Simone Hudson

wah mek dem haffi chobble wi likkle twang?
mek dem nuh tek dem propa inglish an galang?
nuh everybady mek fi chat inglish lakka di queen
nuh everybady mek fi play golf pon put-put green

wah mek di whola wi haffi roun up wi mout
lakka seh wi deh nyaam whola trout?
lawd! mi cyaan tek dem deh sorta bodderashun!
jus undastan di patois an mek wi tan!
cho!…

Ah our beautiful creole, Patois (pat wa). I don’t think English can truly express the deep emotions of our people. When we are really passionate about something “wi draw fi di the patwa”(we speak Patois). Patois is Jamaican creole and it is a hybrid of the African and the English language, essentially resulting from slavery. Slaves and indentured workers brought to the island, carried with them their native tongue and, mixed with the language of the colonizers resulted in the hybrid Patois. Patois has been made popular world wide by persons such as Miss Lou, various Reggae and Dancehall artistes.

Here are some basic Patois to English translations:

Click below for pronunciations

Patois Pronounciations

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To disregard the main concerns that one should have when choosing your political persuasion such as, ability to lead, mandate, past and present track record and a variety of other important issues is foolhardy and ignorant. Choosing a party simply because you don’t like the other one, with no significant backing or reason should be a crime against self betterment. The majority of the voting population are not quite sure why they are voting for a party, and when presented with issues at hand, they behave religiously by standing firm to their faith and take a blind walk on a a rocky path to an uncertain but grave future.

To religiously choose a party time and time again with hopes of better performance even though confronted with a nasty track record is nothing short of senseless. To be afraid of a change that yes, may lead us down another bad road, but has high hopes for a better future is like sticking your head in the sand looking for light. My points may capture me as choosing sides and maybe i am, but justly so, i am taking my own advice and not choosing traditionally, but wisely.

“Its a traditional thing” or “i always vote for…” are not answers that should be coming out of a voters mouth when posed with the question of why they are voting for a party. And when shown the issues at hand, even when appalled at what they see, the fact that they still hold firm to their persuasion is just amazing. Both parties have created ‘faith’ful followers who will follow them to the death while not caring who their party walks over (even if its them) in the process. Crying out for help and still voting back in power the object of your discontent, is like praying to the devil while asking for a drink of water.

Religiously speaking “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”

From the mouth of babes

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Any comments?

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Click here to watch the entire debate on video.

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Children 2-5 years start school in the various basic and infant schools. The syllabus at this level is not set and children are generally taught basic alphabet, numbers and word associations. Most parents treat this stage as a day care.

Primary Education

When privately owned or run, these schools are called Preparatory Schools.

Primary education in Jamaica addresses the basic educational needs of students and prepares them for secondary education. It includes children between the ages of 5-12 years. Under the Caribbean Examination Council’s Revised Primary Curriculum, student assessment has changed significantly from what was generally an automatic promotion to secondary school through the former Common Entrance Examinations at the end of Grade 6. Since 1999, the National Assessment Program (NAP) and Grade Six Achievements tests (GSAT) have been utilizing a variety of teaching strategies to ensure that learning experiences are more broad based and student centred. NAP adopts an integrated approach from grades 1-3 and a discrete subject area for grades 4-6.

• Grade 1: Readiness Inventory
• Grade 3: Assessment tests in Math and Language Arts
• Grade 4: Literacy Test
• Grade 6: Achievement Test: in Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Writing.

These exams often greatly figure into which high schools students qualify to attend. In the capital city of Kingston however, where the population is more dense, students are often placed in secondary schools that coincide with their postal code.

Secondary Education

• Lower School - Forms 1-3 (Ages 10-13 or 14)

Students are exposed to a wide range of subjects, including Spanish and French as 2nd languages. Generally, Integrated Science is generally taught until the 3rd form, where students begin taking Physics, Biology and Chemistry as separate subjects. Some schools group students based on their academic achievement the year prior. This can greatly impact what subjects some students might be able to take later on in school, and what teachers they might be assigned to.

• Upper School - Forms 4 & 5

In 4th form, students choose anywhere from 6-10 subjects (8 is the standard) that they will sit in the Caribbean Examination Council’s O-Level school leaving examinations. Students are free to create their own curricula which must include but cannot be limited to: Mathematics, English Grammar, Biology, a choice between either History or English Literature, or both. Most students take at least one foreign language. Other subjects include: Physics, Chemistry, Spanish, French, Accounting, Principles of Business, Information Technology, Religious Education, Technical Drawing, Art, Theatre Arts and about 25 others. Generally students are informally classified, or classify themselves as Arts, Sciences and Business students, especially if they plan on going to 6th form.

At the 4th form level students can opt to start taking SAT classes if they wish to do the United States SAT exams in order to gain entry to a United States University. There are various centers across the island where students can sit these exams (usually secondary schools)

• Grading: Some exams can be taken at either the Basic or General Proficiency levels, the latter being more common. Exams are graded from Grades 1 to 4. 1 is a pass with distinction, 2 a pass with credit. 3 is a satisfactory level pass and 4 is either a failure, or a ‘basic-level’ pass.

• Sixth Form (Divided into upper and lower sixth)

Sixth form is an optional, two year long, advanced post secondary program, at the end of which students write the CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams). These are the equivalent of the GCE A-Level examinations which were the standard up until 2003. Some students still choose to sit A-levels if they wish, but in doing so they must still meet CAPE’s basic subject requirements/groupings. CAPE and A-level exams are significantly harder than exams sat at the end of high school, and are often thought to be harder than most exams students will ever sit in university. Entry into Sixth Form is extremely competitive, especially in rural and suburban Jamaica, where there are less high schools with sixth form, serving larger areas.

• Student Government

Tertiary Education

Generally, A-Level or CAPE examinations are required to enter the nation’s Universities. One may also qualify after having earned a 3-year diploma from an accredited post-secondary college. The word college usually denotes institutions which do not grant at least a bachelor’s degree. Universities are typically the only degree granting institutions; however, many colleges have been creating joint programs with universities, and thus are able to offer some students more than a college diploma. A few universities in the United States have extension programs in various parts of Jamaica. Most of the students who enroll in these part-time programs are working professionals who want to continue their education without having to relocate closer to the nation’s Universities.

Tertiary education is offered by the following institutions:

• University of the West Indies Mona, (a regional institution)
• University of Technology (UTech)
• Northern Caribbean University (NCU)
• Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts (an artistic conservatory)
• College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE)
• G. C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sports
• 12 teacher training colleges, 14 community colleges, 1 dental auxiliary school, 1 Vocational Training Development Institute, 29 vocational training centres and 6 Human Employment and Resources Training (HEART) vocational training institutions.

Most of the information above taken from here

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In one of Robert Browning’s poems, a musician desired to create music so beautiful, that even the gods would be entertained. Unfortunately for him, Reggae came later.

While reggae may not be the only music form that can be considered a lifestyle, it certainly would require a prolonged and deep search to find another contemporary genre of music with the dynamics, relevance and mystique of reggae. A part of the music’s appeal is its humble and genuine beginnings.

Reggae started as music to deliver a message, entertain the people and be a modern muse to the oppressed peoples of society. However, unlike most other music, it never lost its appeal to these very people and as such maintained its flavor despite the pressure of commercialization. From producers such as Edward Seaga (who would go on to become Prime Minister of Jamaica), who in 1958 he found the West Indian Records Limited WIRL and Chris Blackwell, to the giant companies such Virgin Atlantic Records and Sony, the music maintains its connection with its roots.

It is a genre that transcends every conceivable boundary with relative ease. Robert ‘Bob’ Marley surpassed geographical, religious, cultural and social boundaries with his messages and rhythms. This aspect of the music, puts it in a class by itself and is further symbol of the appeal of the genre.

The allure of reggae is also spurred by the defiance of artists who refuse to conform to emerging social values that contradict those on which the music is grounded. In the 1990’s Jamaican artist came under increase scrutiny for their stance against ‘overt sexual perversion’. Their reluctance to conform and yield to such pressure, resulted in artists such as Mark ‘Buju Banton’ Myrie and Miguel ‘Sizzla ‘ Collin losing millions of dollars in revenue from cancellations. But the richness of the music made it still irresistible to fans across the world.

Reggae will never get socially irrelevant or boring. Producers such as Stephen Gibbs, Christopher Birch and the god-father, Don Corleon, creates rhythms that are absolutely orgasmic. These producers, collaborating with young talents such as Tami Chin, Omar Tarrus Riley and the celestial Alaine Laughton are consistently delivering quality and entertaining materials.

Finally, the fact that reggae appeals to audiences of all ages shows the music’s longevity. There are but few other forms of music than can boast to be able to attract audiences of as wide a demography and in the unbelievable volumes that reggae does. This is a testament to the quality and class of the music.

Beres Hammond, in one of his plethora of hits, sings that music is life. Well if you subscribe to this opinion, then you must conclude that REGGAE IS THE MAGICAL fairytale

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The usual Christmas decorations start going up round the first few weeks of December. Shopping centres, malls, Stores, restaurants, houses, businesses, everywhere, have massive decorations and light shows put up during this time. This is the first signal that ‘Christmas a cum’. I remember living in Mandeville and driving around, during Christmas, to look at all the houses that had beautiful decorations.

There are some key things that will/must happen during Christmas, this I learnt while growing up: Within at least two weeks of Christmas new curtains are bought and put up. I’m sure seamstresses must love this time of year, because the typical Jamaican does not merely go to the store to buy curtains, they must be made by the local seamstress/dressmaker; the prettiest sheets go on the bed, and the house is cleaned from top to the bottom, every nook and cranny; houses are painted-inside and out; sorrel is bought so it can be set out to dry; empty soda and beer bottles are carried to the store to exchange for money so more crates of soda and beer can be bought and of course, the Christmas grocery shopping. Grocery shopping it seems is more vital than gift shopping. Thousands of dollars are spent buying ingredients for the Christmas cake, without which, there really is no Christmas.

The all important Christmas dinner usually consist of several meats, at least 3 in most household who can afford it. Chicken is a must, so is roasted beef and ham. You will also see sides such as potato salads and rice and gungo peas. At this time of year, red peas is replaced by gungo peas in both rice and peas and peas soup. Christmas dinner is had with sorrel, a very important part of the meal and Christmas cake (fruit cake). Our Christmas cake is chock full of rum and some have been even known to send some persons home staggering.

This is also the time of the year that many people see relative and friends who they haven’t seen in a long time. Many persons enjoy Christmas because of the fact that, more than likely, by the end of Christmas day, you would have had at least two complete Christmas dinners; one at home and one at at least one other family member’s or friend’s house.

Another aspect of Christmas is the church service. Many Jamaicans who had not even seen the inside a church, save for the occasional wedding or funeral would be up bright and early on Christmas morning/Sunday to attend church. Churches are full to the brim at this time of year, and church service would normally include the singing of carols and the all important (especially at this time of year) collection of offering.

As far as entertainment is concerned, there is the Jonkonnu (John Canoe) parade. This parade has lost is popularity over the years but it still happens and is still an integral part of our culture. Many parties also take place on Christmas eve and boxing day, and new year’s eve. On Christmas eve there is the Grand Market. This is the time when all the shopping takes place. All the stores and supermarkets are open late; till at least midnight or later. The streets are full of people, including lots of children who are doing the last minute shopping. Last minute shopping is not something that we run away from during this time, it’s preferred. Everybody is out on the street and everyone is bound to run into people they haven’t seen for many years, especially since so many Jamaicans return home from ‘foreign’ during this time. The children get a chance to be out on the town till late, and hang out with their friends. I am getting very excited just thinking about Christmas in Jamaica.

After all the festivities and fan fare, Christmas day is a day for relaxation, church going, and catching up with friends and family. The most amazing sides of people come out during Christmas time. It is an amazing holiday; Jamaican Christmas is a very special time.

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Bun and cheese is natively Jamaican and unless there is some significant Jamaican influence in a country you will not see bun and cheese being eaten at easter or any other time of the year. Bun is a baked product made with lots of spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon along with large amounts of mixed fruits (raisins, cherries, pineapple). The second part of the combo, is the cheese, any type will do ie cheddar, mozzarella, white but to have that true Jamaican experience you need to use Tastee processed cheddar cheese (the one that comes in the tin).

Cut two slices of bun and pop a slice of cheese in the middle and start munching! Great with milk.

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I remember it like it was yesterday, feeling scared and brave at the same time, I assembled my necessary possessions into two suitcases and boarded a BWee Flight.

It was August 2003 when I left my homeland, Barbados, to pursue my higher education at UTECH Jamaica. Filled with mixed emotions little did I know that I had embarked on a journey I will never forget.

I never had any expectations, just the intention of going to school and learning something.

Coming from a “small island”, I felt a bit apprehensive in an effort to adjust to this new environment. After a while I couldn’t help but to be absorbed into the hustle and bustle life. Although I found school to be demanding I made sure to enjoy the Jamaican experience.

Below is a poem that sort of defines my experience:

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