Own Whee Yu Com From

Today, you might say I have a little bone to pick with a few people.  The people I'm referring to are the ones who find it difficult to tell people the truth about where they are from.  I don't care where you're from.  I'm talking about what ever part of the world you originate from, where your family comes from.

The reason I'm on this topic today is because I was speaking with someone who is also from the Island of Jamaica.  I'll call this person John.  John and I got into a conversation about how we came to be where we are at at this stage of our lives.  We found out that we both serve in the military and and that we are both Jamaican.  I was born there and his parents were born there also.  I asked where in Jamaica are his parents from, he looked dead in my face and said Kingston, I replied "for real whe yu family come from", he said Kingston.  That right there send me into a frenzy.  I then told him how sick I was of people who was afraid to really say where on the island they are really from.  Every time I ask someone from Jamaica, where on the island they are from, the tell me some place like Kingston, Montigo bay, Port Antonio or even St. Ann.  No one ever says places like Clarendon, which is where I'm from, or May Pen, Old Harbor, Kellits or even St Mary.  These are all parishes or cities as we called them here.  A lot of these parishes, as most Jamaican knows are hill or bush countries.  Some of these places back in the hills to this day still does not have running water or even electricity.  That does not make it any less of a home to the people who live there.  Sometimes the simpler your life, the more you live it.

I know there are people who are afraid to say which part of the world they come from, because they  are afraid for their lives and the lives of their children.  To those individuals, I keep you and your family in my prayer, but for the rest of us I say OWN WHE YU COM FROM.  Think of it this way; you may be in the United States, but your family came here from Greece, Ireland or even Russia.  The same goes for us Jamaicans.  You live in Kingston, but yu family com from Bug Walk Linstid.    That don't sound too beautiful, does it?  Well take it from someone who has been to the town of Bug Walk in the parish of Linstid, it is a beautiful place.  On the way there, the one main road which leads into the town, runs along side a beautiful steady running river which has these huge rock the size of a mini van or car sitting in the middle of it and across the river are the most magnificent vined trees with these huge green leaves flowing down into the water as it steadily rolls by.  There is also a land mark along the  way call Pum Rock.  This rock is not a well known area unless you're from the island. It got its name because the structure of the rock is shape like the female private part.  Now instead of hiding that bit of information, being from the area, you should be glad to share it because it makes a great conversation starter and it may help you make a new friend.

So to all my yahdi here in the U.S. and everywhere all over the world, it doesn't matta whe yu com from, jus own whe yu com from.  Irie? (Alright)  Be proud of your heritage and represent at all time.

Pum Pum Rock

 

Pum Pum Rock Video

 

 

Pum Pum Rock

 



DRIVE FREE TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE

Jamaica: Yaadi Style

Jamaica is one of the most beautiful of all the West Indies islands. Just about everyone who've I've talked to and tell them where I'm from, they've almost, always say they want to go, wish they could go, or plan on going someday.  Also, everyone who I've spoken with, who have been, all said just how gorgeous the island is.  They remembered almost every moment vividly, from getting off the plane to the very last day of their stay.  From the very moment the plane hits that hot, black tarp of one of the islands airport, and the seals of those big, metal doors are open, and your feet hitting the first step, you're greeted by the rush of the most sweet smelling, warm ocean breeze, that caresses your face and washes over your skin, as if to give you a friendly hug and the cool breeze whispering in your ear, "Welcome to Jamaica".

The people of the island are some of the most friendliest people you'll ever want to meet.  No matter what is going on, we are always the first to greet you with that warm wide, teeth showing smile.  There is something about the Caribbean lifestyle where you can't help but smile. Our way of life is hard, no doubt, but, as one of our well-known phrase says, "Everything Irie", meaning "Everything is Alright".  As a visitor to the island, you are taken on sight seeing tours of beautiful gardens on crystal blue ocean voyages to historic parts of the island  and, of course, you have your lazy beach combing days.

Seeing the island from the view of a tourist and the view of a islander are two totally different things.  We both see just how beautiful the island is, but the beauty from the perspective of a tourist and of someone who was born here differs in simple ways.  The visitor will see the coconut trees, the banana trees, and maybe even one of our mango trees and say just how beautiful the trees are but an islander would see the same trees and see their next meal.  We both see the beauty of the trees, but the view is different.  As they say, "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder".

I wish that everyone who visits my beautiful island could see an experience, the simple beauty, that us islanders see living there, day to day.  From some of the small shacks that are called home for so many, to the smile of the children playing soccer in the street.  Seeing the island through the eyes of an islander is something every visitor should experience, so if you should get the chance to visit my small, beautiful island, take the opportunity to see it, yardi style.

Jamaican Scenery

Jamaican Scenery

Drive Through Fern Gully

Jamaican Family Reunion

Clothes fi fit

Hou it ah go people?
(How is it going people)?

Well, mi just tink yu might want to kno whe yu fi go fi fine yu jamaican look hookup.  Hope yu fine whe yu ah look fa.  In other words, I just thought you might like to know where to go to find your jamaican look hookup, hope you find what you'r looking for.  Good hunting.  I'll have a lot more for you in the future.

As I'm typing this, my kids are cracking up (LOL).   I think I'm gonna have to post a blog in the future in which the entire thing is in Patois (jamaican dialect)

Kool Clothing

      

       

                                          Kool clothing fi yu fone            

   

                                             

Faas Footwear

                                     

Roots & Culture

Whaa Gwaan People,
(What's going on people),

  Well, I'm back.  I was missing for a few days, had a few things to take care of.  Hope you missed me liked I missed you.  Got some information that I think a few people would like to know.  If you wear dreadlocks, or know somebody that does, here are some righteous information that you might like to have.

  In Jamaica, the term dreadlocks was first recorded in the 1950s as a term for the "Young Black Faith", an early sect of the Rastafari which began among the marginalized poor of Jamaica in the 1930s, when they chose to copy the particular hairstyle of Haile Selassie the First of Ethiopia, and began to wear dreadlocks instead. it was said that the wearer had a "dread" life or a life in which he feared God, which gave birth to the modern name 'dreadlocks' for this ancient style. it has also said that the dreadlocks was also worn by ex-slaves as a mean of rebellion against the Euro-centrism.

  Most Jamaican reggae artist are known for wearing dreadlocks, but in the 1970s, when reggae became more popular abroad, the hairstyle was adopted more widely by different nations and cultures, after it was more fashionable to wear that style of hair.  It became a fashion statement for well-known authors, actors, singers, and even in some religion settings.

  Dreadlocks is also known to represent strength.  It is associated with the mane of a lion, more popular known in Rastafarian culture as the Lion of Judah.  The wearing of this hairstyle is more than a fashion statement to the person who calls himself a true Rastafarian.  Along with the hair, this way of life includes a strict diet of mostly vegetable, definitely no pork, or salt. The children are raised in an environment that nurtures the culture and the belief of the Rastafarian way of life.  

  There are many things that we do to our body that is done as a fashion statement but maybe the next time, we choose to lock our hair or pierce a certain part of our body, we should look for the true meaning behind it. Until then my people, 

Nuff Respect

The Honorable Haile Selassie I

The Rastafarian Flag

Island Memories

Whaa gwaan peoples
(What's going on peoples)

Well, today we woke up to another chilly one here in CT.  It seems to be getting colder and colder very very quick.  All this cold weather just seem to make me want to move back home.  I think just like about every other immigrant who comes to the United States, there are certain things which just send us into a flood of memories which make you say "I wanna go home now".  To everyone it's something different . It could be a certain smell, like driving by a summer BBQ and the smell takes you back to the roadside BBQ shacks back home where they sell hot and spicy Jerk chicken, or hot jerk pork on  a  green banana leaf serve with a cold Red Stripe beer or Heineken.  Well for me,  this morning it was the sound of  a truck downshifting as it pass by my house.

The sound of that truck took me right back to my childhood of living in Jamaica in a tenant yard and sitting on the veranda waiting for my mom to finish dinner and hearing the trucks and passenger buses pass by.  Just that one sound reminded me of the food she use to cook for dinner, which usually consist of almost the same thing every day, which I didn't mind.  That dinner was usually chicken (brown strew, curry, in a soup or fried jamdown style) serve with rice, boiled green banana, yam (yamie) or coco (yucca) with lots of gravy.  While mama was cooking dinner, I had to find some way to keep myself busy.  You see, TV was a luxury for some of us, I would play with the other picnies (kids) in the yard or from the neighborhood.  Games like sike(dodge ball) football(soccer) and cricket (form of baseball).  I know sometimes we look back and think how poor our lives were or even wish we had more and we say "I'm gonna give my kids more than what I had".  Well, some time its not what you have or had, but what you do with it. 

Those early childhood years back in Jamaica are so very very special to me, that they are something I would truly love for my children to experience.  I know that things change and most of those island are just as modernize as the rest of the world, but there are still parts of the islands that you can find those little things that are unique to just that part of the world.  That's what make those memories so special and wonderful for all of us. 

So what ever that little trigger is, whether it may be a sound, smell, taste or even something you may see that takes you back to those long gone, back home childhood memories, find them and enjoy the home going.  So till lata, nuff respect.

Keepin' It Hot

What's good my people!

Hope today was a blessed day for all of you Island lovers.   I want to start off by saying, lets remember the 9-11 victims and to continue to keep their families in our prayers.  Weather we realize it or not, we've all been affected in one way or another by this tragedy, but the worst tragedy of all would be for us to become complacent.  We must remain vigilant, not just on the world, but in our own backyards.

Well, I have to say I did not expect it to get this cold this fast. I was seriously tempted to turn my heat on last night.  If this is a preview of whats to come for the winter, then I'm really gonna have to keep my blog nice and hot and even a little bit spicy for you for the winter; at least this will be one way to keep us a little bit warmer for the season. In the mean time, here's a little something to help with the unexpected cool down we just got.

The following link was a gift from a friend and a new member to my site. Thank you "D" man.  As always, your suggestions, comments, and feedback are welcome.  Mek mi kno whe yu tink (Let me know what you think).  Looking forward  to hearing from all you.  Kool runnings.

Jamaican EarthCam

This is a live link to one of Jamaica's hot spot.  With the link below, you can see whats happening in Jamaica, right now

http://search.earthcam.com/search/ft_search.php?s1=1&term=jamaica

Celebration

Whaa Gwaan' People!
"What's happening people!"

Well, today's a good day, not just for myself, but for the entire Jamaican island and for all Jamaicans around  the world.  Jamaicans are still celebrating their recent win against the U.S soccer team a few days ago. This seem to be the year for this small but beautiful island.

We have always been known for our music, our food, and most recently our style of dance, and now our people are making themselves known as some the best, if not the best athletes in the world.  Just a few days ago, Jamaica was up against the men's U.S soccer team in the World Cup qualifier, which they won with a score of 2-1.  I'm sure going into this game, the Jamaican team had the confidence they've always had, and the final score proved the heart they've always had.

There's one thing that everyone should know about us Jamaicans. Everything we do, we do lavishly. Our style of dance is different from the rest, our flavor of food has its own kick, and our music is definitely world renown and always being sampled. Even the way we speak is always being imitated. There's one phrase that truly describes the Jamaican people, and that is our motto on the islands crest, "Out of many, One People". It simply means Jamaicans are not just what you see. Our culture is deep and long rooted.  Wai yu se, a no wat yu get (what you see, is not what you get).  No tek we like we look (don't take us as we look).  We're diverse in ways most people do not know.

Well' I think I will do a little more cerebrating myself.  Enjoy my people.  Stay bless and me wi se yu tomorrow

Jamaica's Big Win

Jamaicans celebrate their history making win!

Jamaica's history making soccer team

Good Eating

Today I was speaking with a few people about my blog,  I asked what are some of the things they would like to see me post or talk about from the Islands.  A lot of people basically said they are quite familiar with most of the island culture.  The most request I received was about the food.  Lots of people like the food from the islands, but they are not sure how to cook them or what the ingredients are in a lot of the food to give it that island kick.  A lot of the items you can buy from speciality or even your local supermarkets, but still they say it taste different when someone from he island cook it for them.  Well in some of my upcoming postings, I will be giving you some recipes from back home as well as some of the little extras which gives it that little extra (Jamdown) kick.  I would also like to know if there are any specific recipes you would like.  I've gotten a few request from some of the fellas out there who want to know about Irish Moss & Linseed.  No worries, mi hav won inside source pan dat.  (Don't worry, I know someone who knows how to make it).

Well I look forward to getting your requests.  Until then, Kool runnings.

About the Blogger

Claudette Dawkins

Born in Jamaica, presently living in Connecticut. Served 15 years in The Air Force. Mother of 4

The Voice of the People

Good day my people,

This morning, I heard a reporter state that even though President Obama has gotten back all but 3,900 of the jobs that was lost during The Bush Administration, it does not matter; reason being, the quality of the job that we have now are less than the jobs that we have lost. Well, here's what I say; Bush loses jobs, Obama gains jobs. But to some people, that still doesn't matter. In their eyes, if President Obama grew a beard and parted the Atlantic Ocean with a rod, they would say he caused a drought. And if he caused gold to rain from the sky, like manor from heaven, they would blame him for the knots on their heads because they were too stupid to go get a bucket and collect the wealth. In their eyes, he can do no good. So lets just keep praying for him and his family.
     
As our election is fast and coming, I urge everyone who is able to vote to go and do so. Every vote counts. And speaking of the right to vote, on my video feed page, I posted a few videos that documents and celebrates my home island of Jamaica Independence. Please take a look and learn a little more about where I'm from. And like they say back home, "Mi wi see yu lateta!"

Enjoy!

Video Feed

In this video, The Honorable Prime Minister Norman Manly is in the process in gaining Jamaica's Independence in August 1962

In this video, Jamaica has gain its Independence, and is retiring the British flag and flying for the first time, The Jamaican Flag 

This video celebrates our 50th Anniversary, with a montage of some of Jamaica's most beautiful scenery,  national dishes, island birds, and most of all, our well-known Reggae music

WELCOME

Hey people,

Welcome  to the first posting of my blog.  I created this blog for everyone and anyone who would like to know a little more or tell a little more about the island they're from.  I myself is from the beautiful island of Jamaica (The Reggae spot of the world).  My blog welcomes all people of the islands to lend their flavors and comment to my page.  You may also ask any questions you may have and I will answer to the best of my knowledge or I will try to find the answer for you the best way that I can.
So once again my people, welcome, welcome, welcome, and like they say back home (me glad fi see yu)