Ivy Cottage Revisited – A Kaleidoscope Of My Jamaican Childhood
In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on (Robert Frost, 1874-1963) They say you cannot go home again. I decided to test this supposed truism, although I had second thoughts and conjured up a host of reasons why I should not. But I had invited a good friend […]
7 Things That Make Jamaicans Wake Up Early
If you have ever heard someone talk about the “Jamaican time” then you know Jamaicans are very laid back and notorious for being late. There are not many circumstances which can actually force them to wake up or show up earlier than they deem necessary. Here are seven (7) occasions that make Jamaicans wake up […]
Friendship – A Kaleidoscope Of My Jamaican Childhood
We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed, As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is, at last, a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses, there is at last one which makes the heart run over. (Samuel Johnson) It is said that friends come into […]
20 Jamaican “Numbers” Only Those Born There Understand
Have you ever heard a Jamaican make a numerical reference and wondered what exactly they are talking about? Jamaicans make up their own numbers for quantity, in their dialect, which only those born on the island or seasoned in the culture are able to understand. To note, sometimes the numerical value is the same word […]
Sisterhood. A Kaleidoscope Of My Jamaican Childhood
A sister is a gift to the heart, A friend to the spirit, A golden thread to the meaning of life. (Isadora James :1890-1975) Early one April morning in 2010, Velma picked me up from my home in Garveymeade. Her daughter Sheryl was with her. We were on a journey. For me it was a […]
E.D. A Kaleidoscope Of My Jamaican Childhood
In 1997, I was appointed Executive Director of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) – the communications and public relations arm of the government of the day. The JIS is a full-house, multi-media organization charged with the mission to gather and disseminate information on government’s policies and programmes, analyse responses and provide critical public feedback. It […]
Why Are Nubian and Bantu Knots Called Chiney Bumps in Jamaica? We Ask Cultural Expert Joan Andrea “Bumpyhead Gal” Hutchinson
To people who grew up in Jamaica, the hairstyles generally known as Nubian knots or Bantu knots are known as Chiney Bumps. Many Jamaicans have never even heard of Nubian or Bantu knots. There is a fascinating reason why the styles are called by a different name in Jamaica, but let’s begin with a general […]
15 Things Jamaicans Find Odd When they Moved to the USA
Oftentimes when Jamaicans visit the USA and return home, they have a long list of things they found odd while on their trip. The list is even longer, when they move there permanently and have to adjust to the American way of life. Here are 15 things Jamaicans found odd when they move to the […]
Michael: A Kaleidoscope Of My Jamaican Childhood
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal Love leaves a memory no none can steal Momentous events happen in your life when you least expect them. It was a hot sunny afternoon and my two-door blue volkswagon did not have air-conditioning. My two children and I were on our way home from Kingston […]
8 Annoying Customer Service Experiences Jamaicans Have To Deal With Daily
Customer service in Jamaica spans a large spectrum and can be experienced at either extremes. There is bad, horrible, mediocre, good and sometimes great customer service. Great customer service you will find in institutions and businesses that train their employees and insist that they represent the company as best as possible at all times. We […]
