In fact, the number one producer of Dance Hall music in Jamaica (and the most successful Jamaican musician next to Bob Marley), Vibes Kartel, is currently in jail for murder. However, he is allowed to record new music from jail because the Jamaicans view him as crucial to the Dance Hall genre. From the recording studio in jail, Kartel produces new music that speaks openly about many controversial political and social problems of the present day.
In Jamaica, music is what brings people together and allows people to tell their stories, discuss politics and raise awareness for social issues, and celebrate. On our street in Boston Bay, people got together to dance every night. They set up a sound system with a DJ and welcomed us visitors into their festivities and taught us how to dance in the "Jamaican way."
On our hike in St. Mary's, our tour guide Lion sang the entire time about everything he saw and everything he thought. If we passed a papaya tree, he sang about papayas. If we passed an antidote plant, he would sing about antidotes. Often, he would see something neat and sing "Check it out, yuh wanna check it out" for minutes at a time. When we got to the falls, he sang about their beauty. When someone laughed, he sang "Whatcha laughing about, why do you laugh so?"
He asked at one point if someone else in the group had anything to sing about. We got shy, avoided eye contact, and said no. Later, I was able to talk with Lion one-on-one. He told me that Americans have to think to much to sing...they are often afraid to be vulnerable and sing without a plan or without notes on a page. Jamaicans, he said, just sing what's on their mind. Singing allows them to release tension and lets them be honest with those around them. It is healing.
Many students on my trip study music therapy. After long days working at the infirmary or at the homeless shelter, they would come back refreshed and satisfied. They said that music therapy is so much easier and progress comes so much more quickly in Jamaica because Jamaicans already believe in the process. They believe in their hearts that music has healing powers.
With music having a huge presence in Jamaican culture, I am so surprised that schools do not have any music classes. The students sing during their morning devotion, but other than that, they have no exposure to music throughout the school day. Some students learn from their parents or grandparents, or take drum lessons. Most do not. While teaching, I noticed that many of the students had a natural affinity for music, and had very good rhythm. It is clear that the music is inside of them (it runs through their veins). I cannot even imagine the kinds of wonderful things these kids could be able to do with a music program. Yet, there is no money for extra classes in these schools.
At the end of the trip, we gave donations (3 drums and a box of recorders) to the school. They were so grateful and said they would try to keep music going. The principal said she knows that music is an important supplement to her students' education, but never knew before how to implement it, or where to get the funds. Hopefully, they will put these donations to good use. I hope that the older kids pass on the drumming they learned to the younger kids and that they take out the recorders every once in a while to play "Hot Cross Buns." I hope that the passion for music that runs in their blood gives them an outlet when money runs low or other hard times come upon them. Most of all, I hope that these kids never forget the week that we brought music into their school, because I know that I will never forget the week that they brought joy to us.
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