bigdrumnation

HAVE YOU “MET” THESE WOMEN? (please add to the list)

Reading Time 1 mins  International Women’s Day [IWD] gives an opportunity to confront Misogyny – a woman- devouring monster. Misogyny stands for the banishment of women from the pages of history; and also from the social life of the community. “Women belong in the kitchen”, says one sage. Another says, “Women need to be behind their veils; for that is their God-appointed station”. And who is that women –hating God? Meet these women: (not an exhaustive list, please add)       May Fortune Doris Alexander Gert Protain Pansy Rowley Jacqueline Creft Eva Sylvester Una Marson Elma Francois Phyllis Shand Allfrey Jean Rhys… Read More »HAVE YOU “MET” THESE WOMEN? (please add to the list)

March 6, 1957:  Lord Kitchener and the Making of an African Nation

Reading Time 1 minsCaldwell Taylor March 2015 A Nation is the site/sight of struggle, a thing calypsonian Black Wizard notes: “If you want to get rid of Babylon and build a just Nation You’ve got to struggle on and on”. Preceding the Black Wizard by more than twenty years Lord Kitchener [1922-2000] heralded the Birth of Ghana. Kitch sang: The day will never be forgotten The sixth of March 1957 When the Gold Coast successfully Get the Independence officially And speaking at one of several Independence Dinners Prime Minister Nkrumah  said: “Even today in the West Indies. it is possible to hear words and… Read More »March 6, 1957:  Lord Kitchener and the Making of an African Nation

M.Z. Mark, a Grenadian icon – Anthony Wendell DeRiggs

Reading Time 6 minsFebruary 2015 Michael Zephyrine Mark, popularly known as M.Z. (the Z is pronounced zed) Mark was born in Mamma Cannes, Saint Andrew’s, Grenada on December 9th 1905. This Brilliant Grenadian was a philosopher, educator, motivational speaker dedicated husband, public lecturer and more. He had such a positive influence on people in Grenada and elsewhere that is our duty to remember him and lift his name high so the world would know about his accomplishments. Once I asked a well- known Grenadian politician if he was familiar with the name M.Z. Mark. He looked puzzled and then told… Read More »M.Z. Mark, a Grenadian icon – Anthony Wendell DeRiggs

Etching our Consciousness With Music: DJ Gus Pays Independence Tribute to our Artists and Musicians

Reading Time 1 mins  February 2015 As a testimony to the patriotic pride of Grenada’s songwriters, entertainers and performers, Grenada is certainly a leader among the Caribbean Islands when it comes to anthemic odes. Lord Cassimere Pitt’s “Grenada May God Bless You” is most certainly an inspirational piece that has kept the contributions coming at a steady pace. I can’t imagine what an independence celebration would be like without it. Classics anthems from Rhythm Riders, Levy John, Original Inspector, Black Wizard, Ajamu, Val Adams, Randy Isaacs, Inspector, Carriacou’s Country Boys, just to name a few, give true meaning to our… Read More »Etching our Consciousness With Music: DJ Gus Pays Independence Tribute to our Artists and Musicians

The Literary Elements of Carriacou Carnival

Reading Time 4 minsBig Drum Nation interviews Nicholas Cox February 2015 Big Drum Nation (BDN): This year the Carriacouan Carnival comes under this scintillating theme, “Celebrating the Legacy of Shakespeare: Embracing the Splendor of our Traditional Mas”, what is the Shakespeare Mas? Nick Cox (NC): As I know it Shakespeare Mas stems from the use of speeches adapted from the writings of William Shakespeare in a duel of words between masqueraders. The theme appears to be battling European armies who attempt to outwit each other using speeches from Shakespeare’s plays, most commonly “Julius Caesar.” The costumes are colorful and mask the entire… Read More »The Literary Elements of Carriacou Carnival

King Man Ajamu Cyber-side Chats with Big Drum Nation

Reading Time 2 minsFebruary, 2015 AJAMU is one of Grenada’s most accomplished musicians. He holds the unprecedented national honor of seven-time Calypso Monarch, winning in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, and 2004. A certified sound engineer, AJAMU plays guitar, keyboards, and drums. He has written, arranged, and produced songs for a number of top Grenadian calypsonians.  In 1997 he was crowned “Male Vocalist of the Year” at New York’s “Sunshine Awards”.  Evidence of AJAMU’s recognition by the international music community is his regular entry in Billboard Magazine’s “Bible of the Music Industry”. At ease in both the soca and… Read More »King Man Ajamu Cyber-side Chats with Big Drum Nation

Eric Gairy: Working Class Hero

Reading Time 4 minsEric Gairy: Working Class Hero Caldwell Taylor   “On 19th February, widespread strikes began, and there have been many acts of intimation and sabotage .An emergency order was made and two of the leaders of the strike [Eric Gairy and Gascoigne Blaize-ct] were detained” -The Secretary of the State for the Colonies, James Griffiths, responding to Mr. Eden. Grenada Riots, HC Deb 26 February 1951 vo. l 484 cc 1748-50   Grenada’s first general strike tolled on the early morning of February 19, 1951 and ran for four tempestuous weeks. The so-called “Sky Red” days transformed long-suffering… Read More »Eric Gairy: Working Class Hero

Comments: Senator the Honorable Brenda Hood

Reading Time 3 mins  Our theme of this BDN issue is “Moving Forward in Unity to Build a Stronger Nation.” We  are compiling the contributions of writers, artists, poets, photographers, our leaders, and everyone with a voice and view to share on Grenada’s 41st anniversary of independence.   Senator the Honourable Brenda Hood Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture     QUESTION: What is the culture ministry’s definition of culture? The definition of culture has been clearly outlined in the Grenada National Cultural Policy and I believe it gives us a better understanding of our vision for the work being done… Read More »Comments: Senator the Honorable Brenda Hood

Comments: Honourable Derrick James

Reading Time 3 mins As you are fully aware, Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique will be celebrating its 41st anniversary of political independence from Britain on February 7, 2015. Birthdays are times to reflect on life lived, paths traveled, and upcoming opportunities to take advantage of. As it is for the individual, the same is true for a nation. Big Drum Nation (BDN) is joining the festivities as we celebrate our nation’s accomplishments, appreciate our shared ideals, and assess our potential. We are seeking the contributions of writers, artists, poets, photographers, our leaders, and everyone with a voice and view… Read More »Comments: Honourable Derrick James