Jamaican Culture In South Florida Comes Alive At 8th Annual Miss Lou Reading Festival & Bob Marley Tribute
SOUTH FLORIDA – Attendees to the 8th Annual Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival were treated to an evening of rich Jamaican culture through presentations of song, dance and perspectives of the works and legend of the former Jamaican cultural ambassador.
Under the patronage of Jamaica’s Consul General, Franz Hall, the event unfolded to a full house of nearly 300 attendees last Saturday (February 7), at the Broward College Performing Cultural Arts Theater, South Campus located at 7300 Pines Boulevard in Pembroke Pines.
Guest Speaker was Dr. Carolyn Cooper, CD, a professor of Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus in Jamaica, who delivered a provoking discourse to a filled auditorium on the resourcefulness and ingenuity of women, particularly Jamaican women using the theme of the event – “Dat Cunny Jamma ‘oman”, and the fact that these qualities were largely overlooked or diminished in the society. Developing the idea of the cunning of the Jamaican woman as being something akin to the strategic trickery employed by folk hero, Anancy to outwit, out-maneuver, and subvert the powerful and mighty, Dr. Cooper suggested that throughout Miss Lou’s poetry and stories, we have seen various examples of the “Cunny Jamma ‘oman.” Her lecture was interspersed with several excerpts from Louise Bennett-Coverly’s work and Dr. Cooper tied the concept of the “Cunny Jamma ‘oman” as being born out of the realities of slavery, colonialism, and sexism, moving fluently and effortlessly between English and Jamaican (patois).
The presentation ended with a question and answer segment moderated by Dr. Marcia Magnus, which gave the audience, largely Jamaican nationals, the opportunity to share with Dr. Cooper some of their thoughts about Jamaica’s cultural ambassador, the late Dr. Louise Bennett-Coverly, OJ, as well as the current state of Jamaica’s economy, among other cultural perspectives. The lecture concluded with Dr. Cooper’s call for Louise Bennett-Coverly to become Jamaica’s eighth national and second female hero, was met with a standing ovation.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Franz Hall also spoke of Miss Lou’s literary accomplishments and representation of Jamaican culture “inspiring us and defining a nation and its people through the vibrancy, colorfulness and dynamism commonly associated with patois”, he added.
As a folklorist, educator, actress and activist, her works still hold a very special place in Jamaican culture, he continued. Through these efforts, her work remains relevant today as it touched on pertinent matters, mentioning topics like race, migration, gender and participation in the political process.
Mr. Hall also paid tribute to another of Jamaica’s cultural icon, international reggae legend, the late Hon. Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley, OD, who would have celebrated his 70th anniversary of birthday. Marley was born on February 6, 1945.
The event formed one of the activities of the South Broward Regional Library’s celebration of Black History Month. Entertainment was provided by a selection of notable Jamaican artists from the South Florida Diasporic community including the Jamaica Folk Revue and the Tallawah Mento Band. A special musical tribute was performed by the Tallawah Mento Band in celebration of the 70th Birthday anniversary of the former international reggae icon, the late Hon. Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley, OD, (1945-1981).
Miss Natasha Fenton, currently a Liberal Arts student enrolled at Broward College, was the first recipient of the Louise Bennett Coverley Scholarship awarded at the event. The scholarship is now also tenable at Broward College. To date, eleven students have been recipients of the LBC scholarship tenable at the Edna Manley College (EMC) of Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, in the schools of Drama and Dance, and Music, since the program was started in 2008, following the death of Miss Lou (1919-2006).
Proceeds from sales of Miss Lou’s works – books, CDs, and other memorabilia will continue to support of the Louise Bennett Coverley Scholarship now tenable at both institutions.
The annual Reading Festival was started in 2007 by Mrs. Norma Darby, former Executive Director of the Jamaica Folk Revue, following the death of Miss Lou who passed away at age 86 years old in Toronto, Canada. Ms. Lou was buried at the Jamaica’s National Heroes Park in Kingston.
The Festival is supported by the Consulate General of Jamaica, Miami, the Broward College, the South Regional Broward Library, the Friends of the Library, Jamaica Tourist Board, and collaborated with several local Jamaican-owned companies and associates.
