Christmas Traditions In JA

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

Since this is my last commentary for the year, I extend wishes to all my readers for a merry Christmas and the best in the coming year.

These holidays always bring back fond memories of my childhood growing up in Jamaica. Like most families, we tried to get together for at least one day- preferably Christmas day itself- during this period. Relative emigrants would always be in the mix because they would use this opportunity not only to come home and visit their family and friends but also to escape for a brief respite from the frigid cold of the northern climes in their domiciles.

On Christmas Eve, the family would go together to a church service starting at about 11pm. This was a common practice in nearly all the churches and denominations in Jamaica. On Christmas morning it was back to church at 5 or 6am for early service, at the end of which, the congregation would greet each other with kisses or handshakes. Back home, everybody was issued a jug or mug of warm eggnog and served a meal of fruits, ackee and saltfish, slices of ham, roast breadfruit and hard dough bread. As kids, the eggnog was a special treat, mainly because in addition to egg and milk, another main ingredient was brandy or rum. This was the only time when it was 'legal' for us to have an alcoholic beverage, and we would savour it.

After this meal, the family gathered around the Christmas tree in the living room and shared gifts, which were opened to screams of excitement, as many wishes came true. Soon, we would hear the strains if the Jonkunnu or masquerade bands coming down the street. These were men and women in various costumes, marching and dancing up and down with musicians in tow. Drums and fifes were central instruments to these combos.

This roving band would go in and around the town and different districts, with adults and children coming out to greet them with food or coins to show appreciation. After this there would be a natural separation of adults and children- the men would retire to a discreet corner, to exchange stories and have drinks and the women would begin preparing lunch, while we the kids would be enjoying the new gifts that we had received and playing games like Brown Girl In The Ring or Red Light. Soon it would be time for lunch, a menu consisting of rice and peas, roast chicken, turkey, pork and beef, bammy, macaroni and cheese and an assortment of vegetables. The rest of the afternoon was usually spent singing Christmas carols and the performance of short skits by the children.

Usually, this season is chockfull of activities, yet nowadays they take on somewhat of a different format and purpose. The traditional Christmas market can be found in most villages and towns across Jamaica. This culminates in Grand Market night, which is usually organised by church and community groups. In those days, Jamaica had a vibrant cottage industry. Women were encouraged to develop skills like embroidery and crochet. They would work all year from their homes and at their leisure to create doilies, shawls, caps, handkerchiefs, while the men, would reap fresh produce from their fields. All of these were sold at the Grand Market.

There is now a successful prototype that epitomizes the modern, urban version of the Grand Market. It has evolved out of a tradition started in the 1970's by Things Jamaican, then a government entity under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. For the last 8 years, the rebranded Kumba Mi Yabba is the annual Christmas Fair hosted by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, which provides promotional and marketing opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Micro and Small Business Sector. The fair gives an opportunity for local producers to showcase their indigenous products to a wide cross section of markets which include tourists, diplomats, policy makers, local and international buyers and members of the general public. JBDC has taken on the role of main sponsor and organiser of the fair and with its evolution they have diversified from being purely a craft fair. The fair which runs this weekend, now incorporates such categories as, fashion, gifts, crafts and accessories for home and garden.

Although some of the larger stage shows that we have become accustomed to in the last decade, unfortunately are not being held this year, there are still a number of events that people can look forward to. The four day long Christmas weekend will feature Renaissance's All White Christmas Eve Party, Bembe Christmas Edition, Beres Hammond's A Moment in Time and of course, there is Sting on Boxing day. To ring in 2009, there is Absinthe and French Connection followed by Frenchmen and the Genesis Gospel concert on New Year's Day. Shaggy and Friends perform for charity on January 3rd.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com

Host: Jamaica Observer, Sunday, December 21, 2008 - Christmas Traditions in JA by Charles H.E. Campbell

Yes We Can

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

There is a saying in show business that goes “The moment you start to believe your own hype and make your alter ego take over, you are doomed to a crash landing.”

I have a dream, a vision, a mission- a passion even. So when people in the business tell me that my main problem is that I drive my business interests with too much emotion, for me it is not necessarily a negative comment- in fact, I am flattered.

Yes, one might say I have been to the mountain top. I have looked beyond the present status quo, the impediments, beyond the mediocre, beyond our shores and I have seen the enormous impact that our music and culture has had on all the continents and how we could better exploit this; by harnessing the raw talent we possess and inputting some cutting edge technology along with our history and ancestry. Given appropriate entrepreneurship and public/governmental support, we could significantly increase the gross domestic product and begin to turn the tide against destitution and desperation by facilitating some poverty alleviation.

Then here comes Chris Blackwell, polemically saying that our most creative years are behind us. What an unfortunate statement coming from someone whom I assumed shared my vision! Black well’s entire analysis of the present state of affairs in our music industry is on target, but with the right catalyst, that can be changed. To a large extent my generation has become our fathers. I mean in too many instances we are acting the same way. As in theirs, so too in our middle age, displaying the same prejudices, the same impatience and frustrations which made us look askance at them for becoming so pessimistic, conservative and reactionary. However, “one cold vibe could’n spoil dis ya boogie”. (Third World)

I remember when Ska and blue beat were called booguyagga music. Then Reggae at its genesis was so regarded. Now, it is Dancehall’s turn. Our music has never been exclusively visionary in its content. It has also been social commentary, expressing in song current cultural norms and occurrences, good and bad. For all their loud protests in polite circles, the politicians and the business sector have always co-opted it to better sell whatever. Today, in our liberalised media sector, this is even more acute because ironically in large measure they have become mere mouth pieces of their owners. “You cyaan blame di youth” (Peter Tosh), when all we hear on the radio and read in the newspapers is the hype. That’s what sells the news. The youths know well how to get the attention of all the above.

Beres Hammond recently told me a story of two youths about to get their first ‘big buss’ and planning to achieve the maximum impact. So one says to the other “We a go cuss up a whole heap a bad wud pan stage, dat wi get us in the headlines”. So we all need to truly turn the mirror on ourselves in addressing this hiccup we have fathered and mothered. We know we are better than this- Taurus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Cezar Cunningham, Etana, Tessanne Chin, Roots Underground, Morgan Heritage continue to shine the light. Our best days are yet ahead of us. We still can, yes we can because Jah-mek-I-Can. You know I am not one to willingly genuflect but still, let’s forgive Chris, because of his enormous contributions and obvious frustrations with our current state of affairs.

On a much more positive note, Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange announced at the launch for Beres Hammond’s new album A Moment In Time and his December 28th show “Beres Moments in Time 2008” that she is committed to the construction of Jamaica’s first concert hall. Given the emphasis of this excellent event, it was a most appropriate place to make the announcement. I hope the entire music fraternity throws its unreserved support behind this project and see to its fruition. This is precisely what we have been clamouring for, for decades.

The private sector must display some social responsibility and come on board, partnering with the government to ensure the building of this amphitheatre and concert hall complete with modern facilities and state of the art equipment. In so doing, projects like Beres’ will have an appropriate venue for its staging. Believe me, people like Seretse Small and Maurice Gordon, as well as the Digicel Rising Stars competition are identifying and grooming a slew of artistes – giving them worthwhile and essential experience – on the club circuits. This will provide the talent to guarantee such a venture the success that it has the potential to be. May I be emotional? Lets “rally round the flag” (Steel Pulse), drape ourselves in it... for dis ya one.

Speaking of potential, I am in Negril for the Reggae Marathon’s, eighth renewal. Unfortunately, by the time you read this it will all be over. What a fantastic event under the rubric of sport tourism! Of course, Frano and Dianne (Alfred Francis and his charming wife Dianne Ellis) are such intuitive social engineers and community organisers (a-la-Obama) that they have this group of fifty volunteers from their residential community and the community in which their business place is located, making life easy for us at load in. Simultaneously, these volunteers are obtaining critical socialisation experiences and important life skills to boot. I am particularly impressed with Weedy, a small-framed, eager young woman who covers the whole gamut of production tasks, including lifting crowd control barriers. Jah live. Rastafari.

Their fact sheet says “The Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10k, start at Long Bay Beach Park situated along Negril’s famed 7 mile white sand beach. The course loops into the town of Negril then heads north towards the town of Green Island.” The mostly flat course is an IAAF certified marathon and half-marathon course. The Reggae Marathon has earned the reputation for being a well organized, precisely timed international event, focused on runner enjoyment. This includes water and aid stations at every mile, cooling stations with misters and iced towel wraps, and most importantly, naturally, inspirational reggae music at every mile.

Participants combine an island vacation and a great sporting event for a truly unique experience. Among many outstanding testimonials from participants, the one that stood out for me is from Dianne Woorell who says “I have run over 15 marathons in several different states in the USA. This is truly the best because of the amenities, friendly atmosphere, and definitely the most awesome Pasta Party. I plan on making this an annual event.” Reggae Marathon and Half Marathon well deserves our support and the organisers our sincere congratulations on an event par excellence.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com

Host: Jamaica Observer, Sunday, December 07, 2008 - Yes We Can by Charles H.E. Campbell