bigdrumnation

Reading Time 4 minsWe Would Be Left to Dance, Sing and Run! By Yao Atunwa August 7, 2018 Several years ago I commented on the transformation of the Grenadian personality as a people seek to be more assertive and dynamic in their interpersonal relations, and I attributed much of the impetus to come from the artistry of local artistes, particularly since the launching of Wilt Cambridge aka Talpree’s artistry to regional and international success at the turn of the century. The chief lesson learned from Talpree’s success with his first hit single, “Ole Woman Alone“, is to value your own… Read More »We Would Be Left to Dance, Sing and Run! – Yao Atunwa

Reading Time 4 mins “If You Don’t Tell Your Story, Someone Else Will” (unknown). The first week of August is celebrated as Emancipation Day in much of the Caribbean, testament to our common history of bondage and continuing common quest for liberation. In Grenada, the holiday takes the form of cultural activities and a national address. Emancipation Day celebrations are situated in the midst of the carnival festivities in Grenada. Far from a mutual distraction, it is a fitting reminder that our expressive culture, calypso, carnival, and our big drum culture, are our liberated voice. Emancipation is the most important event… Read More »Emancipate Ourselves on Emancipation Day – Martin P. Felix

Reading Time 10 minsProceedings from the 1st Annual Symposium on the Grenadian Revolution of 1979 – 1983, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, October 19, 2017 Harlem (“What happens to a dream deferred?”) What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore—
And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over—
Like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags
Like a heavy load. Or does it explode? – Langston Hughes (1951) Incidentally this poem was penned in 1951, a year of massive labor upheavals in Grenada led… Read More »Reconciling with the Past; Visualizing the Future — Martin Felix

Reading Time 9 minsProceedings from the 1st Annual Symposium on the Grenadian Revolution of 1979 – 1983, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, October 19, 2017 I come to the Grenada Revolution through stories.  First the snippets of stories, family histories really, relayed to me mainly by women—my mother, aunties, and grandmother. In these stories, which were really conversations that I was allowed to listen in on, everyone agreed both that the revolution was a progressive period in Grenada’s history, and also that the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada was necessary, that it had saved the nation from some unexplained… Read More »“Generational Ties, Revolutionary Binds: Literature, Archive, and Questions of Gender” — Laurie Lambert

Reading Time 2 minsThe Grenada Revolution (1979 – 1983) and its subsequent collapse On 19th October in New York City, a symposium was held in memory of the Grenadian Revolution and those who died on 19th October, 1983. 34 years ago, on Fort Rupert, located in St. George’s on the small island of Grenada, at the bottom of the Caribbean basin, a revolution died. The Symposium, entitled 1st Annual Symposium on the Grenadian Revolution of 1979 – 1983 focused on two points: the revolution itself 1979 – 1983 and the days 18th, 19th, and 20th of October 1983. The relevance… Read More »The Grenada Revolution Symposium Presentations – Atiba Rougier (Introduction)

Reading Time 11 mins  In the year 1977, a calypsonian from Trinidad &Tobago named the Mighty Unknown caused patrons to the calypso tent to be falling off their seats when he performed a calypso called, “Ah Vex”. Unknown, in his cleverly constructed offering, threw four stanzas of piccong at the St Lucian poet whom the calypsonian alleged had had the temerity to be critical of the place which had been good enough to extend to him, its generosity; “Derek you must be fou bé dangé or mad Sit down on river stone and talk river bad You wouldn’t talk about… Read More »Nobel Laureate, DEREK WALCOTT; TRINIDADIAN? — Llewellyn Mac Intosh