THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY

Back to School Donations

On August 29th and 30th, the Progressives Caring Hands Committee presented school bags and supplies to public primary schools across the island to ensure that students who are not able to afford basic school supplies are provided with some of the necessary items.

“The community must ensure that the education of our children is not hampered by not having basic tools to aid their learning. The Progressives were founded with a focus on people, especially families and the youth and I am proud that we were able to assist again this year” noted Barbara Conolly, The Progressives General Secretary. She added her gratitude to the many members and friends of The Progressives whose contributions made the donations possible.

“As we work hard to rebuild our economy we are sympathetic of the challenges our citizens are having so we are pleased to be able to help supplement those who may have not been able to provide all of the supplies needed for the school year.

We understand that during these difficult economic times that the average family is finding it difficult to make ends meet, it is during these times that we must come together as a community and help one another. We may not be able to solve all of the issues, or we may only be able to share a pen or a pencil, but what is important is that we help each other”, said Councillor, Joseph Hew.

Last year, the Progressives Caring Hands Committee held a Back to School Fair to assist parents in providing similar items for their children.

For further information on how you can assist with this annual event, you may contact the Progressive Headquarters on 945-1776 or at

PHOTOS:

Progressives Executive Committee Representative, Christine Burke-Richardson; Councilor, Joseph Hew; Minister, Hon. Marco Archer presenting supplies to George Town Primary School officials with students.

Progressives Bodden Town Committee Representative, Lisa Daniels; Deputy Speaker, Hon. Anthony Eden; and Councilor, Alva Suckoo with students at Savannah Primary School.

WEST INDIAN DAY PARADE CELEBRATES CARIBBEAN CULTURE

From NY1 News

The sights and sounds of the Caribbean took over Brooklyn on Monday, as millions of people gathered for the 46th annual West Indian Day Parade. NY1’s Jose Martinez filed the following report.

There were feathers, flags, floats and more feathers, all making for a colorful Labor Day spectacle.

The 46th annual West Indian Day parade took over Eastern Parkway on Monday, before a boisterous crowd.

“I love it! Do I look like I love it? I love it!” said one parade goer.

Even on a muggy day, parade goers were captivated by the colorful and traditional outfits of the Caribbean.

More than 40 costumed bands and dozens of floats gave people plenty to look at.

“The costumes are nice. That’s how the Caribbean do it,” one parade goer said.

“I think the costumes are awesome. Whatever they did, do it again, and I would like to have one,” another parade goer said.

Food stands lined the parade route, turning the stretch into a feast for more than just the eyes.

“It feels great to serve our food to the public, to introduce people to our food,” said one food stand worker.

What’s a little rain when celebrating with more than a million people?

“The rain is putting a damper, but we’re still enjoying ourselves,” one person said.

“It’s even great in the rain. It’s nice and warm, and the music’s fantastic, and the girls are out with their costumes,” another person said.

Grand marshals this year included Borough President Marty Markowitz and recording artist MC Wassy.

“NY1 keep on doing what you’re doing for Caribbean culture. Wassy man say so, and it’s all good,” MC Wassy said.

Police presence was heavy as always, and there were the usual metal barricades along the route, making things a little crowded for some.

“Music’s cool, not enough dancing for me. I came here to dance,” a parade goer said.

Now, parade goers have next year’s event to look forward to.

For more on this story go to:

http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/news/188098/west-indian-day-parade-celebrates-caribbean-culture

PHOTOS: Demotrix.com and NY Daily News

DRUMMING RECALLS CENTURIES-OLD LINK BETWEEN CARIBBEAN, AFRICA

By Gail Wain From Voice of America

Throughout the ages and around the globe, drumming has been used for communication, entertainment, and prayer. That is especially true for the Rastafarians who performed at this year’s Sacred Music Festival in Jerusalem.

If you haven’t heard of Nyabinghi drumming, you are not alone. It is sacred music, played as a communal meditative practice in the Rastafarian religion of Jamaica, and rarely performed in public.

As Jamaican reggae star Vivien Jones explains, it is a centuries-old link between the Caribbean and Africa.

“That’s been in Jamaica since we were taken there as slaves,” Jones said. “Slave master used to bang the drums. So the drums were there from the time we landed on that island, the drums were being played. So it was African drumming … all the way from ancient Ethiopia. All it did was it traveled in a slave ship to Jamaica and then it bloomed and blossomed again in Jamaica.”

It is a form of music passed down from generation to generation. Drummer Bonjo Iyapingi Noah started early.

“I grew up playing within the church,” he said. “Before the elders would come up and play, we the children we have to play. We learn this all from the elders. The elders sit us down and they teach us what to sing.”

Bonjo plays with Drums of Defiance, a band of Jamaican musicians based in London. He says that although this is sacred music, the band is now beginning to perform it in public to spread the teachings of the Rastafarians.

“I was even thinking it was wrong for me to even record it. I’m going to make a Nyabinghi album because, the way I was seeing it is from the church, but now, as I said before, the teachings have to go everywhere,” Bonjo said. “Everyone has to know what Rastafari is. Show the power of nyabinghi.”

For their performance at the Jerusalem Sacred Music Festival, the band members are seated on stage. Some are dressed in white, and some are clad in vivid reds, yellows and greens, with long flowing robes and colorful headgear.

The musicians’ chanting often follows the “call and response” pattern that is typical of gospel and other genres of music whose roots are in Africa.

Biblical Israel is a core topic in much of gospel and reggae music. So when Vivien Jones had the chance to perform at the annual festival in Jerusalem, he didn’t hesitate. He invited the Drums of Defiance to join him.

“The importance of this place, Israel, from all our background, growing up as children, reading the Bible and things like this,” Jones said. “Our parents are Christians, so it’s very special for me, because you feel a presence of a higher level of blessing and grace. You feel a presence of that. You can definitely feel it here.”

Nyabinghi drumming is ceremonial music for Rastafarians.  But, it is also universal.

“This music that we play, this music is music of love and upliftment,” Jones said. “This music is for the whole world. It’s for all nations. It’s for us to get together. This music will draw everyone together, all nations together. We’re not singing of war, we’re singing of peace, we’re singing of love, we’re singing of caring for one another, your family. This is what we’re singing about.”

Jones and the Drums of Defiance plan to take performances of Nyabinghi music around the world.

PHOTO: Vivien Jones stands behind the drummers waving the Jamaican flag at the Jerusalem Sacred Music Festival. (Courtesy Hanan Bar Assulin/Jerusalem Season of Culture)

Vivien Jones and Drums of Defiance perform at the medieval fortress, the Tower of David, in the heart of Old Jerusalem. (Courtesy Noam Chojnowski/Jerusalem Season of Culture)