A Cultural Journey From Africa to Jamaica

A section of the audience at the Great Huts Resort.
This past Saturday I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Great Huts resort to see their cultural show. It was a Saturday night well spent and I'm still indebted to my friend Terri who emailed me about the show.

A visit to Great Huts itself is always a treat, but in addition, the local treasure that is the Manchioneal Cultural Group took the audience on a musical journey from Africa to Jamaica. The group, performing for over 30 years, started off the journey with traditional folk dances which have their roots in Africa. These included Brukins, Dinki Mini, Kumina, Quadrille and Maypole. The journey continued with Ska and Rocksteady then on to Jamaican popular dances. The show was informative, engaging and the dance forms masterfully executed. I regret only that I didn't capture it all on video.

The good news is that there will be many opportunities for you to see them perform live as they're at Great Huts in Boston every other Saturday from 7pm-9pm. Make an effort to see them, it'll be worth it!      

Artwork on display at Great Huts by (Top) Kenyan artist Mazola & (bottom) Jamaican artist Nakazzi Hutchinson

(left) Great Huts owner Dr. Paul Rhodes welcomes the audience. (right) Manchioneal Cultural Group leader Richard Derby.

Members of Manchioneal Cultural Group in performance

Manchioneal Cultural Group in performance

Some of the younger members of the cultural group in performance

Port Antonio Welcomes "It's a Woman's World" Film Crew

Dean and Tom film Camilla as she arrives at my house.    (Neville Reid Photo)            
This past weekend was especially thrilling.

Europe's Travel Channel International was filming in Port Antonio for its upcoming, "It's a Woman's World," travel documentary series. The series which will feature four (4) exotic locations; Turkey, South Africa, The Philippines and Jamaica; is unique to the "Travel Show" genre as it introduces viewers to each country from the perspective of the local women encountered.

As such, I met with host Camilla Andersen and the Woman's World crew, and introduced them to some of my favourite Portie attractions and activities to be featured in the Jamaica episode of the series. Our tour included a trip to my alma mater, Titchfield High School, a visit to one of Port Antonio's most gifted nail artists and lunch at Cynthia's at Winnifred beach. It was satisfying to know that the group enjoyed Port Antonio and easily declared it their favourite parish.

It's a Woman's World is expected to be aired in October 2011. Until then, I've included some behind-the-scenes shots of the day's filming.

Filming continues at Titchfield High School while Producer Julia look on.     (Neville Reid Photo)

(Neville Reid Photo)

Navy Island as seen from Titchfiled High School.     (Julia Cornes Photo) 

Jamaican-inspired nail art as done by Kimesha. (Photos by Julia Cornes). 

Guru Ram Das Healing Centre

(L) Lunch prepared from organic farm produce. (R) Mangal Jot Kaur owner and operator, Guru Ram Das Healing Centre.

One of my favourite places to re-focus and re-energize is the Guru Ram Das centre in the Commodore hills of Portland. Owned and lovingly operated by Mangal Jot Kaur, the centre experience figures highly on my list of things to do in Portland. Have a peek at my conversation with Mangal Jot to see what you may be missing. 

Prêt-à-Portie: Where are you from originally?

Mangal Jot: I was born in Paris, France. My mum is French and my dad is from Benin, on the West Coast of Africa.  A few weeks short of my 18th birthday, I moved to London where I lived for 17 years until I came to Portland.

Prêt-à-Portie: Why did you choose Portland and what do you love most about living here?

Mangal Jot: Years ago while still living in London, I read a newspaper article about Portland and thought that if I was to go back to Jamaica, I would have to visit Portland.  When I was first thinking of relocating on the island, I gave myself four days holiday in Portland during which I just fell in love, and it was clear this is where I wanted to be. 

There are so many things I love about living here, the fact that we are surrounded by so much natural beauty makes me feel in awe every moment of the day. 
 

Prêt-à-Portie:  What was your inspiration for starting the Guru Ram Das Healing Centre?

Mangal Jot: Ultimately, it has to be my love for the One in all.  And my eternal gratitude for those teachings which have not only changed my life but also saved my life and allowed me to serve others along the way.  I wanted to create a beautiful and peaceful space where people can come to learn to relax, renew, understand, transform, heal and empower themselves.

 

View from Guru Ram Das centre
Prêt-à-Portie: What are some of the services you offer at the centre?

Mangal Jot: Private consultations, healing conversations, counselling for couples and children, conflict resolution & mediation are also offered.  I have a business background and offer Business Strategy Coaching and Mentoring also. Private Yoga Classes are also done by appointment, meditation and deep relaxation for all levels and beginners are always welcome.  You can stay on to share a delicious Ital lunch made with products from the farm. In coming months, we are planning to offer more classes, workshops & retreats geared towards the healing and empowerment of women and their families.

Prêt-à-Portie: What has been your proudest moment/biggest accomplishment at Guru Ram Das Healing Centre? 

Mangal Jot: Looking back, I guess it was keeping up when I could have given up, and with "Keep up, you'll be kept up!" imprinted in my mind, a favourite Kundalini Yoga mantra, this was never an option, and for that I am infinitely grateful. 

Prêt-à-Portie:  How long have you been a yoga teacher and how did you discover yoga?

Mangal Jot: I have been a Kundalini Yoga teacher since 2001, so this year marks my 10-year anniversary. I discovered yoga in 2000 after a challenging time when I lost my job, an illness, another failed relationship and feeling depressed for as long as I could remember. I hoped and prayed for something to take away that feeling of emptiness, pain and aloneness. I took my first class at my local gym in Brixton London and it was love on the spot. I loved the way it made me feel, in my body, my mind and my whole being. I felt different, like that heavy feeling was lifted, relaxed yet energised and I just wanted more of that. I decided to do the teacher training, and the more I learned and practised, the more I felt, "This is great, it works, and I just have to go and share it with the world."

Prêt-à-Portie: What are the benefits of the practice? 

Mangal Jot: The benefits are many and put simply, it helps you self-adjust in every sense of the term, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. But ultimately, there is nothing more true and real than personal experience because it goes straight to your heart and this is where healing and change take place. With an open heart and mind, come and try it for yourself, and you will understand why so many people from all ages and walks of life are making yoga and meditation part of their lives. 

For more information or to make appointments call 876-585-7994. 

Mangal Jot prepares for a Kundalini Yoga session

7 Questions with Jah9

Photograph by Sabriya Simon
Port Antonio continues to be a destination of choice for artists and creatives alike. Not surprisingly, since Portland's serene ambiance and picturesque landscape lend themselves to the solitude and introspection that are so much a part of the creative process.

Janine "Jah9" Cunningham, Jazz-on-Dub creator and singer, is one such person. This self-proclaimed Portie-lover has been known to take her Portie respites religiously every Sunday. Here's more of what Jah9 had to say:
 
Prêt-à-Portie: What is your fondest Portie memory and/or location? 

Jah9: Long Bay beach when the tides are rough and I get tossed around like a washing machine... and Winnifred's on a Sunday morning when the vibe is peaceful and super chill and the I'm lazing around for hours.

Prêt-à-Portie: Given your many roles as singer, songwriter and activist how do you maintain your drive and focus? 

Jah9: Portie escapes are definitely a major part of what is required to defrag so the creative juices can flow.

Jah9 performs with members of the Omega Vibration team. Colin Porter Photograph
Prêt-à-Portie: What inspires you to create? 

Jah9: Life and my experiences (even vicariously), and my aspirations.

Prêt-à-Portie: Tell us about the "Jazz-on-Dub" genre. How did you come up with this sound?

Jah9: It's a mix of two of my favorite music forms...basically my Jazz vocals on Dub which is an open free form version of roots reggae. Just imagine Billie Holiday or Dinah Washington meets Jah Shaka or Mad Professor.

Prêt-à-Portie: What has been your biggest accomplishment creatively?

Jah9: For me that would be creating the concept of Omega Vibration (a theme-based all female artistic showcase featuring song, spoken word, dance, visual arts working together with live music) and bringing it to life on stage.

Photographs by Sabriya Simon
Prêt-à-Portie: Who are your favourite artistes/performers?

Jah9: Many many many... ranging from Sizzla, Tracey Chapman, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Joan Armatrading, Peter Tosh and the list goes on.

Prêt-à-Portie: What are you currently working on? Can you tell us about some of your current projects?

Jah9: What I can say is there's a two-album project in the pipeline, a series of community based initiatives, some major live music collaborative events with some of my colleagues. Also I want to do a few more Omega Vibrations, and the Manifesto Festival later this year to name a few... and thats all just for this year.

Alain 'Skanka' Hottat::Preserving Moments

Alain 'Skanka' Hottat.  Photos contributed.

Alain Hottat has come a long way to fulfil his dream of living and working in his Portland paradise. But he will tell you it's been worth it.  Born in the Congo in the 60's then moving to Belgium for Art school as a teenager, Alain never imagined that a trip to Jamaica in 1981 would impact his world the way it did. See highlights of my conversation with the Portland based music video director and photographer about his work and the treasure trove of inspiration that is Port Antonio.
   
Prêt-à-Portie: What brought you to Portland and how long have you been living here?

Alain: What brought me to Portland is the 'untouched-ness' of the place...like I always say, "the real Jamaica.'' Everything moving in pace with nature; the weather and the wind. I've lived in Portland since 1989 until today.

Prêt-à-Portie:  How long have you been creating videos and photographs?

Alain: I have been practising my photography since childhood in Africa when my father bought me my first camera. I have been exposed to and involved with videography since I went to the Art school but have been active the most this last 2 years doing videos here in Jamaica around the music. My father had always love to video and photograph in Africa, so I got that from him I guess. I have learnt in the Art school to develop my eye, views and concept in an artistic way.

Prêt-à-Portie: Would you say you have a favourite of the two?

Alain: I don't have a favorite, I love both. Photo is the expression of a fraction of a second while video is the expression through time and movements with sounds and words.


Portraits by Alain 'Skanka' Hottat
What do you love most about your work and what has been your proudest moment artistically or creatively?

What I love the most is the moment of creation shooting a photo or video, the contact and communion with my subject. That is why I love portraits so much. Then I love the moment when the art reveals itself after editing and final touching. I usually never look back on what I have done once it is done. It is then time to create again..like food for the soul. 


My proudest moment is any time I can share my art with someone and when I see the enjoyment of the person that looks at it. I love to watch my subject or actors looking at the final product more than even me looking at my work itself.

How would you describe your style?

My style? I don't know you have to name it. I'll say if it is a portrait my style is to penetrate the soul of my subject by making him/her be himself. The subject has a lot to do with it . Every subject carries his/her own vibes and I try to show that expression. 


What inspires you to create/produce?

I'm inspired by people, characters, kids, nature, music, joy and sadness.

Portraits by Alain 'Skanka' Hottat
What do you love most about Portland?

Portland is my home. I love the people, I feel respected, the beauty of the land blows my mind everyday...In a sense It is more beautiful everyday and I pray for it to stay like that.

Contact email: lens-flair@hotmail.com

Portland's Own 'Charlie Brown'

Welcome sign to Charlie Brown's Williamsfield workshop/showroom.
Long before I met Astley "Charlie" Brown, I was admiring his impressive craftsmanship and intricate carving designs at the Great Huts property in Boston Bay. So naturally, our meeting this past summer was not only inevitable but long overdue.

On a good day, one can find Charlie carving, sanding or painting his wooden creations in his Williamsfield workshop/showroom or beneath the shade of the mangrove-lined Turtle Crawle Harbour. Either way, he and his carvings are hard to miss. The self-taught artist who works primarily with Cedar and Lignum Vitae has been honing his craft since the late 1970s producing original handmade items for clients world-wide. Not to be outdone anytime soon however, Charlie credits the source of his inspiration, "I see my creations first in my mind then I transfer them to wood." Any examination of his work will prove he has mastered this process.

So next time you're passing by feel free to stop and have a look or give Charlie a call at 1-876-850-5829.

Clients admire Charlie's work

Charlie outside his workshop/showroom at the end of his workday.

More wonderful Charlie Brown creations

Western Hiatus at Teamwork Associates

I haven't Portie blogged in quite some time, but with good reason. Over the last couple of months I've had the wonderful opportunity of working with some of the visionaries at Teamwork Associates in Montego Bay. Yup...good things do happen in the west after all:-))

Teamwork Associates, the brainchild of Pastor Menzie Oban, was born out of a desire to prevent rather than rehabilitate delinquency in at-risk youth. This, after years of doing prison ministry work across the island. Today, the mandate continues to be fulfilled through the Teamwork Church and School with over 150 students enrolled in Kindergarten, Preparatory, Special Education and High School departments. You can read more here.

It's an experience I'll cherish forever and while the property offers the most amazing panoramic ocean views ever, Port Antonio beckons and I must comply.