Deeper research is definitely needed before documentation!

This week the topic is motivated by a comment from someone who referenced a quotation from Soca Artiste Mr Killa, associating Jab Jab to an African State. While we are not condemning him, we continue to call for cross referencing in research, to make sure that what we document for the next generation is the true story. We also urge the researchers to approach topics with an open mind. The close mindedness that we are seeing in modern times “And is that!” is troubling. After the comment from Mr Killa, shouldn’t some cross-checking especially with France take place?

Grenada’s history is deep and the list of names for the islands is testament of the peoples who came here and left their footprints in the sands of time. We thank the Prime Minister for making it clear that our communities are “all inclusive.” Our records are showing that after the Kalinago people (Caribs and Arawak), then the French took over followed by the British colonial people who ruled us until 1974 when we got political independence and a voice at the United Nations. That period even saw the arrival of the East Indians.

While the greater part of our population is from the black race, it is baffling that Africa continues to be the main reference point when writing our history even though they were not the first to arrive here. Our first records of slavery here are based on those that the French brought. This newspaper actually visited the location of the first slave pen they constructed at La Poterie -according to Dr Corrine Hoffman from the Netherlands University. Research also shows that even the word maroon came with the French people in the early 17^th century. It is translated to mean deep brown which was only used in reference to the self-liberated enslaved people. So while a maroon in Grenada is to pay homage to our ancestors, putting it in context, it should be a proud moment for us as we celebrate the people who rebelled against slavery starting with the French. Carriacou stands big on celebrating ancestors so they should bear in mind that what was called the ‘Jupa’ in Hillsborough that they are going to destroy, most likely was named in memory of the French since Ajoupa is said to be derived from the French word meaning a small hut.

The YouTube channel carries a lot of history stories that, while they are sometimes fictitious, can give a good idea of the untold parts of history even as far back as what is referred to as “Black Indians” that disappeared from America. In analyzing those stories, one tend to understand why we do certain things even today. At primary school we are taught about the life of the early Indians. We learnt how they were sensible enough to improvise when they landed here mostly from countries in South America. On their arrival, they recognised the correct trees that canoes can be made from in order to travel across the sea. They had organised communities with chiefs, medicine-man, fishermen and soldiers. Those people even had their religion where they believed in the god spirit before Christianity was promoted by Emperor Constantine. The spirit they worshipped was safely enclosed in containers they called Zemis. Up to today the pottery or earthenware they made by hand since in the early 17th century – still exist.

With respect for their dead, in a similar way to the funerals we have today, the early Indian people had burial grounds mostly on the beach simply because the sand was easier to be dug with the tools they had available. So, if we really care about the spirit of our ancestors, shouldn’t we include them? Dr Hoffman even pointed out that they made beer in a similar manner to what is still being done in parts of Guyana where saliva is used in fermentation. Yet, in the minds of most of us the early Indians were simple folk running naked on the beach and up to today no effort is being made to unravel their messages written in stone at Mt Rich. Masqueraders even mock them with the name “Wild Indians.”  Oh how systems have brainwashed us!

On the Jab Jab issue, enslaved people were looked down upon as less than humans. In fact, while Pope Eugene IV is said to have much to do with the “Bull” which condemned slavery in some circles, it is also said that it was him who declared that the non-Catholic ones were less than humans which gave rise to their terrible treatment and small huts referred to as pens.

The religious beliefs of the African people were sidelined and associated with evil and devil worshipping. Could that be the real story behind Djab Djab as we knew it then as part of the Carnival outfit that was introduced here by the French? Interestingly, a visitor to our island thinks that the mas which worships the Devil can have much to do with the rise in serious crimes we are seeing now in our lovely Spice Isle.

Djab is derived from the old French word diable which means devil. In Haiti it is known as an evil spirit for hire. So, the question continues to be asked – just whose idea it is to reference the liberated African enslaved people to Djab in Grenada?  We no longer have Carnival which even came with a specific date on the Catholic Gregorian calendar to precede the Lenten Period. Today, our Spicemas has made its grand entry in August which is worth lauding as it shows dynamism in our culture. But, let’s get it right before documentation and stop confusing its history with Emancipation!

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