Honouring Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverley at 105: The Cultural Icon Who Shaped Jamaican Literature & Elevated our Language

Louise Simone Bennett-Coverley, affectionately known as “Miss Lou,” was born on September 7, 1919, in Kingston, Jamaica. She became a household name and a cultural icon, recognised as a “Living Legend” in her home country. Miss Lou’s education was rooted in Jamaica, where she attended Ebenezer and Calabar Elementary Schools, St. Simon’s College, Excelsior College, […]

Jamaica’s Indomitable Spirit in the Face of Crisis

Simone Francis gathers items from her home that were blown away as Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 4, 2024 in Old Harbor, Jamaica.

In the face of crises, Jamaicans showcase a level of resilience so profound that it has come to be known as their quintessential “Jamaicanness.” This was evident during Hurricane Beryl, when the island’s “cut an go chu” attitude—persevering despite challenges—shone through. Amidst the chaos, humour became a coping mechanism. Laughter and jokes provided relief, transforming […]

Top 10 Most Iconic National Festival Songs, Celebrating 56 Years of Hits

Celebrating 56yrs of Festival Songs

The National Festival Song Competition has produced five decades worth of timeless hits. Jamaicans, inherently patriotic and born with music practically flowing through their veins, take the independence-time contest and the nationalistic music it produces in earnest. Known for launching careers, the festival song competition attracts the interest of established artists as well as rising […]

A Wonderful Celebration of Caribbean Folklore at Anancy Festival 2024

Patrick Brown as 'Bredda Anancy' interacting with kids at the 2024 Anancy Festival

In celebration of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, in partnership with Jamaicans.com, hosted the annual Anancy Festival on Saturday, June 29th, 2024, in South Florida. This year’s event, drew over 130 attendees who gathered to celebrate the folklore of Anancy, the spider man and trickster known for imparting life lessons through stories The […]

Photo Highlights: South Florida’s 2024 Caribbean-American Heritage Month Celebrations

South Florida 2024 Caribbean-American Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration - (Miramar, Florida)

Annually, Caribbean-American Heritage Month is a time to recognise and celebrate the rich culture and contributions to the United States by Americans of Caribbean origin. Founded and established by Dr. Claire Nelson, the month was recognised inaugurally in the year 2000 by the Institute of Caribbean Studies. In 2004, the month of June was officially […]

The Rise of Homegrown Film Festivals | Platforming Creativity & Bolstering Local Industry

Rise of Jamaica film festivals

The Jamaican cultural and creative landscape is expanding to create more native platforms to showcase homegrown talent. One of the ways we see this happening is with the rise of locally conceptualised and directed film festivals.  There are many substantive benefits to native film festivals, the most significant of which is helping emerging filmmakers find […]

Steve Higgins Brings Jamaican Folk Culture to Japan

Steve Higgins Brings Jamaican Folk Culture to Japan 4

Jamaican tenor and cultural ambassador Steve Higgins recently visited Tokyo and Tottori, Japan, to showcase Jamaican Folk Songs. While in Japan, Higgins performed at concert halls, engaged with students at Iwami High School, and collaborated with celebrated Japanese artists. His tour commemorated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica, sharing the rich […]