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Cool culture in Mandeville

Published:Sunday | March 11, 2012 | 12:00 AM
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From left: Keith Agard, Kim Faloon, playing the rumba box; Nolma Agard and Trevor Faloon, on guitar, entertain the audience with a mento singalong.
Mandeville businesswomen Doreen Lawson (seated, second left) and Olive Smith (standing, second right) pose for the camera with the cultural group from New York.
Cavoy Williams captivates her audience with a soul-stirring dub poem.
Joy Kariamu in full flight.
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Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

The town of Mandeville was recently taken over by 'African consciousness' when the Institute of Arts and Culture staged an international celebration of Black History Month at its school located along Grove Road in the capital.

Hosted by the very spiritual Joy Kariamu, a teacher at the institution, patrons were treated to a really wonderful evening of entertainment courtesy Kariamu's friends she invited down from New York and students of the school. The patrons were taught interesting lessons in African culture, in particular West African, through dance, songs, poetry and speech.

Making the trip from New York were Cavoy Williams, Gail Brown, Marcia Pottinger, Jasmine Burems, Adaku Utah, Naima Infinity and percussionist Sekou O'uhuru. The group volunteered its time and effort in a move to enhance the knowledge and awareness of our African heritage.

As Kariamu explained, "In my travelling I was inspired last October to make this trip to Jamaica, for 'Fi Wi Sinting' (a black history month celebration). "I saw where it was a good opportunity to ask the group from New York to give its talent in helping to stage a fund-raising event for the school. This will also serve to inspire the students, let them see how powerful and important the arts are."

Included in the entertainment package were dances from West African countries, including Sabar dance from Senegal, Ku Ku and Lamba dances from Guinea.

There were also exciting pieces by a Nigerian-born Kareem Ismail who performed an Anancy story. Also, there was a 'mento singalong' done by chairman of the school, Trevor Faloon, backed by his daughter Kim's magical rumba box performance and operators of the school, Keith and Dr Nolma Agard.

The group took the audience through musical gems from Harry Belafonte, including Coconut Woman, and the Jamaican folk song, Linstead Market.

Another hit on the night was an African diaspora fashion show which showcased a variety of African designs that were well appreciated by the audience.


Photos by Dave Lindo