Yasus, YS Falls & Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers

Sunday, April 29, 2012


Yasus Afari
Yasus Afari is a dub poet who started his career performing to students of the University of the West Indies and local teachers’ colleges. He released his first song in 1986 and went on to write and record music with several musicians, including Maxi Priest and Tony Rebel. He has been honoured locally and overseas for his work. He has written Overstanding Rastafari: Jamaica's Gift to the World and a book of Poetry Eye Pen. He has released five albums. His most well known recording is possibly Put it Een.


YS Falls
YS Falls is another beautiful piece of Jamaica, where a seven-tied waterfall cascades into a pool which is also fed by underground springs. The falls were selected as the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association’s attraction of the year from the 1995-1997. The Ministry of Tourism and Sport gave the operators an award in 2002 for their outstanding environmental stewardship in developing an ecotourism attraction. The property also boasts impressive gardens, canopy and a range of tropical birds.

The estate was a cane farm and also exported logwood to Europe. In 1887 the property changed owners and the production of cane and logwood continued. Cattle was also reared on the estate. The logwood export died out as synthetic dyes replaced the derivative from the logwood tree. Today the focus is on ecotourism, breeding pedigree cattle (Jamaica Red Poll) a stud farm. Interestingly, the present owner monitors the number of visitors to the property with a view to preserving the natural beauty of the estate.

Yabba
There are several types of Yabba, which go back to the days of slavery. Some were used for food preparation, as cooking pots and for storing food items. These were unglazed and unfired and fell out of favour as time advanced and were replaced by imported ceramic items. These days, Yabbas are decorative rather than functional.






Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers
Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers - This group is comprised of Bob Marley’s children and was one of my favourites when I was growing up. Even today, I enjoy their tracks from way back when. The Marley’s are still making music, having launched solo careers in the case of Ziggy and Stephen and have also moved in different directions including fashion designing and writing. Some of my favourite tracks are Brothers & Sisters, Look Who’s Dancing and Tumblin’ Down.

Zion Hill: There are two communities in Jamaica that have this name, one in St. Andrew and St. Catherine. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information as to why these places were called Zion Hill.

Jamaican terms again...

Zion - For the Rastaman, Zion refers to Africa generally and specifically to Ethiopia as the ancestral homeland of black people, in short, the holy land. 

Zutupec – someone who has no class.  

Source
And that's the A-Z Challenge for me! I have lots of visits to make, so bear with me while I catch up this coming week.


Many thanks to those who have taken the time to download and read these books that I've offered for free during the Challenge! I hope you enjoy the little bit of Jamaica I've shared through these stories. They're still available for free download. Click the covers.
 Walk good! (A Jamaican term which means goodbye.)




44 comments:

  1. "Zutupec – someone who has no class"

    Sounds like something I could use in one of my MG novels. Good job on finishing the A-Z challenge. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Linda. I wasn't sure I'd get to the finish line. Happy I did. It tells me I can write everyday if I put my mind to it.

      Delete
  2. I've had friends go to YS falls. They said it was breathtaking. Love it.
    And thank you for the Ziggy posts. He's another fav or mine as well as Damian Marley. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mina, thanks for sharing. I too enjoy Damian Marley's music.

      Delete
  3. Ah, the legendary Marley musos... can't beat them!
    And YS Falls looks like a great spot - soothing and therapeutic!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am going to be saving "zutupec" for an appropriate occasion! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  5. I didn't make it here to comment every day, but I did read all the way through. I really enjoyed learning more about Jamaica. This was a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carol, I'm happy to share what I know about Jamaica and I too learned a LOT more than I thought I knew.

      Delete
  6. I looooove Bob Marley, but I didn't realize his kids were making music too. I'll need to check out those albums.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rula, yes, they made some good music in the 80's. Not sure they've released anything in years, however, Ziggy and Damian are still active in the music world.

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. I enjoy the way they've blended other sounds with reggae to come up with something interesting.

      Delete
  8. Ky-Mani Marley is on some hip-hop tracks too, I think. Great topics for Z, and congrats on making it all the way through!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't listen that that Marley, but I should check him out. Relieved I made it through. I had my doubtful moments.

      Delete
  9. Congrats on finishing the A-Z! I've enjoyed your posts. Those falls look gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've enjoyed your stories too. I couldn't comment half the time, but I understand why you had to deactivate the comments. It would have been a nightmare for you otherwise. Good idea though. Thought that was really cool.

      Delete
  10. It has been so wonderful to lean about Jamaica though your knowledge and A to Z posts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Susan,
      I enjoyed my trip with you exploring music from the past.

      Delete
  11. Those falls are beautiful! Love that Bob Marley's kids have carried on his love for music! I've enjoyed your AtoZ posts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jemi. Yep, the falls are awesome. Marley's children have done a good job expanding on the foundation he built.

      Delete
  12. I've learned a lot about Jamaica from your posts. Congrats on finishing A to Z.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I remember Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers! Congratulations on completing A to Z.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Falls are beautiful!! I really enjoyed your Jamaica posts, Joy, and learned a lot. Congrats on finishing the A to Z Challenge!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same to you, Laura! It isn't easy posting everyday when you're as disorganized as I am.

      Delete
  15. Joy, you did it. I didn't read all your posts, but what I read was well said and you gave Jamaica and it's people a special spotlight. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I got through the month too. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)

      Delete
  16. You made it from A to Z! Seriously, like I said before, now I HAVE to go to Jamaica. No joke. :)

    Congrats on completing the challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats for making it to the end of the challenge! I loved your theme. I know so much more about Jamaica now :) I'd love to visit one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynda, I hope you do get to come one day. I've discovered lots more too.

      Delete
  18. Congratulations on completing the challenge and what a great ending, too. I really enjoyed reading your posts. Jamaica sounds like such a wonderful place!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cynthia. I'm at the point now where I don't want to write anything, but I have to get back to work. Thanks for stopping in and I'm glad you came on the journey with me.

      Delete
  19. Fascinating! Congratulations on completing the A-to-Z Challenge. Woo hoo!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Didn't know about Marley's kids in a band...lovely!

    Congratulations, Joy, on completing the challenge, and educating us throughout about your country.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Damyanti, thanks so much for being such a great host. I still have to catch up with your stories, but for the moment, I am taking things slow.

      Delete
  21. Hi J.L. I so enjoyed your post as I knew I would. I did'nt make many comments cause I was using phone most of time, can't stand during that computer being fixed. I love Jamaica and visit often. as a matter of fact me and the sisters are returning and we want to stay for a week this trip. I will be using your info.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sidne! Howdy. I hope you have a wonderful time when you come next. Glad to be of help.

      Delete
  22. Those yabbas are pretty. I can just imagine how they're molded:)
    Happy weekend!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nutschell, have a great weekend too! Nowadays, making this stuff is far less labour intensive thanks to technology.

      Delete

Don't be shy, I'd love to hear what you think.