Happy International Women’s Day!! In honour of IWD, we’re looking at a few Caribbean women throughout history that I find pretty cool. Play this song while you read Henriette Saint Marc Occupation: Sex worker, revolutionist, spy Her story: Miss Henriette was a free mulatto woman born to a European father and African mother. She was a well-known hot gyal and sex worker in Port Au Prince, Haiti’s capital. She joined forces with Toussaint L’Ouverture, in his campaign for a free Haiti. With her beauty and unassuming charm she made use of her access to the French elite, military men and other ..read more

Happy love month folks! Andddd happy Reggae Month!! Disclaimer: this is not a sponsored post, I just really love my little big island and will always promote it Reggae Month began in 2008 and is the annual celebration of Jamaica’s greatest export and its local and worldwide impact. The Proclamation which officially declared February Reggae Month was read on January 24th 2008 by His Excellency Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, the then Governor General of Jamaica, at an official ceremony at the Kings House. The month of February was chosen as it is also Black History Month, as well as the birth-mont ..read more

It’s Christmasssssssss This is my favourite time of year! So let’s look at how it’s celebrated around the Caribbean Parang Forget Michael Bublé, and Christmas Carollers turning up on your doorstep to sing one dry rendition of Silent Night, T&T and other islands give us Parang. It has a Spanish influence and is often performed with traditional instruments like the cuatro, maracas, and guitar. Want to hear it for yourself? My fave DJ Jel has released his 2023 Parang mix, enjoy!! Jon/Junkanoo A Christmas tradition in Jamaica and the Bahamas. Usually taking place over the Christmas/New Yea ..read more

Happy new year!!!! To kick off the new year, we’re starting with one of my favourite topics – books! Below are some of my favourite books by Caribbean authors (both in the region and across the diaspora). I’ve tried to include a mini review too but honestly from when they’ve made it on to this list, you should just take my word for it and read them. I aim to read more stories by Caribbean authors this year, so look out for a part two of this list later in the year. Enjoy! Witches Steeped in Gold & Empress Crowned in Red – Ciannon Smart ★★★★★ Synopsis: The story follows Iraya Adair, hei ..read more

“an act of [B]lack remembrance and a reminder to the white elite of the horrors it had inflicted on its slaves.”1 Please note; if you’re looking for an in-depth, academic delve into this piece of history you’ve unfortunately come to the wrong place. This is a brief overview to help you understand the basics  Canboulay – from the French cannes brulées meaning burnt cane; also from the Kikongo kambule meaning procession.  Here’s a quick timeline of events; Aug 1, 1838 – the freed enslaved people of Trinidad took to the streets to participate in cannes brulées, to celebrate their ema ..read more

For the last week I’ve been enjoying life on the beautiful island of Tobago. When I mentioned where I was going to people, I got variations of “oh, so Trinidad?” Which made me realise there’s quite a few people don’t realise that despite often being said in the same breath, Trinidad and Tobago are actually two separate entities. Located just 22 miles from mainland Trinidad, Tobago is 120 sq miles of beaches, rainforest and beauty (Quick side note: ngl I really thought the two islands were a lot closer. In the grand scheme of things 22 miles isn’t thattt far, especially considering I live in Lo ..read more

On July 24 the United Nations declared that today (Aug 11) would be known as #WorldSteelPanDay. This came as very exciting for all pan players and lovers worldwide, and so it’s only right that we look into the history of the steelpan! A massive thank you and congrats to Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts for all their hard work in achieving this goal! The steelpan If you somehow have no idea what a steelpan looks like, here’s an example. There are different types that produce different sounds but the concept is always the same – a pan made of steel Let’s go bac ..read more

I don’t want you you to just be happy Because then you have to have something happening I want you to have joy Because can’t nobody take that from you Kirk Franklin, I smile, 2011 In her foreword, Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff puts it like this; “Joy doesn’t have to be contingent upon anything but existence”. The essays in this book perfectly embody these sentiments. One of my favourite things about this book are the forewords. They regularly and intentionally speak to Black people. It is a constant reminder that this book is for us and by us, word to Solange. That in itself is an example of Black ..read more

If there’s one thing we can say about the people of the islands, it’s that we know how to dress! The first thing that comes to mind is probably carnival costumes, so we’re not gonna talk about that. Instead, this month’s post will look at fashions in the Caribbean both old and new Mesh Marina Also known as string vests These vests seem to be synonymous with Jamaican culture. Everyone wears them, regardless of age, gender or stature. They’re fashionable, simple and most importantly, functional – their aim is to ensure the wearer stays cool and dry, which is important on a tropical island B ..read more

Before we begin, I have 2 disclaimers: If you subscribe to any sort of phobic-ness, stop reading. This isn’t a safe space for you This review isn’t sponsored in any way, shape or form. I paid my good good money and enjoyed my evening so much I decided to write about it Okay now that’s out the way, let’s get started!  Part-cabaret, part-theatre production, wholly ridiculous!  Last night I went to watch Splintered at Soho Theatre and it was amazing. The show features 3 MCs who tell the stories of queer women in the Caribbean – including the age-old story of being in love with your ..read more