Dub Traffickers honours more poetic pioneers

Miss Lou, Mikey Smith this year's honourees

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Not long after its first 'groundation' in March 1996, followed by official registration in May 1997, the Poemtry Industry Network (PIM) began to officially recognise those who have played a pivotal role in Jamaica's long tradition of verse.

Under PIM's Dub Traffickers arm, which has been heavily involved in the staging of poetry events and production of recordings, the Poetic Pioneers Award was first handed out in 2002. Rass Rodd of Dub Traffickers says that the award has been given out annually since then, save for two years.

Among the recipients have been Michael Parchment, The Gleaner Company, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), the Institute of Jamaica, Tastee and Professor Mervyn Morris.

Rass Rodd said the dual posthumous honour reflects the nature of the poetry both Smith and Miss Lou were heavily involved in. "When you look at the aspects of dub, you have to connote the male and the female," he said.

Format of the ceremony

The format of the ceremony, to be held at the poetry-oriented Patracey Yard in All Spice Grove, Fairy Hill, Portland, later this year, will follow the pattern established at previous Poetic Pioneers Awards. There will be a guest speaker and performances before the actual presentation.

However, as the function is being held in Portland, Rodd says "This year we hope to integrate the Portland community. We are bringing a deeper process of community involvement." He points out the parish's connection with writers, including a visiting Ian Flynn (who is identified with St Mary).

Rodd says that the Network will also celebrate World Poetry Day on March 21 at Patracey Yard. The organisation has traditionally marked the day, he said, as "if we do not have a public event it is private, even three poets".

"Last year, we hosted four poets at Patracey Yard and did workshops on performance poetry. We did motivational type of work which, if poets wish to make a profit from their art, can be useful," he said.

There will also be an observance this year, although Rodd notes that there are funding problems.

For the Jamaican poetry scene as a whole, he said, it is a cycle. While there are the long-established platforms such as the annual JCDC literary arts competition and the monthly Poetry Society of Jamaica fellowships, "we have never got the industry to be as we wanted it to be".

"A lot of people drop off the scene because of new jobs and family," he said. However, he gives credit to those who have participated, saying "once you come in your time and do what you can, you are locked into a time capsule".