River Maid

I recently visited the spot where I first heard about Jamaica’s fresh water mermaid, in 2016. I’d just arrived in Roaring River, Westmorland, and was planning to base myself there for a couple of months. Bobo and his best friend Dexter had taken me to see the different natural springs and it was here that they introduced me to the folklore of the River Maid.

The three of us sat at this river on my first day in Jamaica staring into the water. Bobo and Dexter silently crushed weed into their palms. Then Dexter turned to me, ‘you believe in mermaids?’ He asked. An image of Ariel popped into my head and a silent chuckle began to build up inside me. Without shifting my gaze I nodded enthusiastically, waiting for the punchline of the joke. ‘Good’ he said. I lifted my eyes, trying hard to keep a straight face, and looked him in the eye. His face was dead serious. I stopped and quickly swallowed my smirk. Hoping he’d go on and tell me more…. he did.

Dexter isn’t with us anymore, (which is a story for another time). So now when I return to Roaring River it’s just Bobo and I who sit by the river. On this visit we talked a lot about Dexter. I told him ever memory I had of him. We laughed hard remember how ridiculous he was and then we cried. I told him that one day I’ll make a film about that time, to really honour Dexter, ‘like a proper film.’ Bobo grinned at me. ‘Yesss, you have to!’

I will.

 
 
Story gallery
Eighty // Crochet
Eighty // Crochet

Eighty taught herself to crochet at ten years old. As a young girl she slowly built up a collection of works which eventually allowed her to leave home at fourteen and provide for herself. Eighty crochets swimwear, tops, shorts, hat and skirts using colourful cottons. Over the years Eighty has created many outfits for her children, always experimenting with different styles. She prides herself on not following patterns but instead coming up with her own designs.

Eighty creates from home and sells mostly through word-of-mouth.

Bamboo King // Studio Visit
Bamboo King // Studio Visit

Bamboo King created his first animal head in the early 2000s, inspired by a bamboo root he dug up while collecting materials for a building project. In 2015 Bamboo King moved to a property along the beach in Annotto Bay where he established a sculpture garden using found objects collected from the beach. Stacked coal castles decorate the perimeter around his home accompanied by drift wood and animal head rods.

Bamboo King’s practice involves working with the natural forms and contours of materials so that they form a union and fit together willingly.

Bobo // Bike Shop
Bobo // Bike Shop

Searching for Old Spanish Bridge one day I ended up getting very very lost, taking an hour detour as google maps led me to a random bridge in the heart of St Mary, way off course!

Along the way I met Bobo and his son at their bike shop. Bobo invited me in and showed me around this shop. I asked if I could record a story on him and he smiled broadly, ‘yes!’ At the time I didn’t have my sound recorder so I told him I’d be back. It took 7 months before I was able to return but Bobo remembered me and was happy to share his story.

Bobo remembers a time when his business was flourishing and he had lots of customers. Now, people get gifted new bikes from family in America and they’ve stopped using small businesses like his own. Regardless, Bobo continues his work as a mechanic and does his farming. This is a family business and Bobo is proud to have trained up his children with valuable skills.

Wildlife // Mermaids
Wildlife // Mermaids

Ever since he was a child Wildlife has been dreaming about mermaids. They visit him regularly. Sometimes a single female, sometimes a whole family of them. Wildlife has never met a mermaid but he’s on a mission. When dark comes he takes his goggles and flippers and dives in Port Antonio Harbour. The bigger fish are sleeping so he told me it feels safer to explore by night.

Bobo // Working With Water
Bobo // Working With Water

Lottery scamming is an ugly business which happens in Jamaica. This is an illegal practice which bleeds innocent victims bank accounts while simultaneously causing gang wars and way too many violent deaths. In 2018 lottery scamming brought a state of emergency on different locations across the country.

There is a strong and powerful energy which pulsates through the rivers of Jamaica. A calming, healing and nurturing energy. An energy that can be harnessed. An energy that is believed to bring protection, guidance and good luck. This is an energy which needs to be approached with care. It requires the wisdom and guidances of our elders and ancestors. However this is also an energy which has interestingly been channeled into the fraudulent practice of lottery scamming. Misused, manipulated and abused.

Shango // River Keeper
Shango // River Keeper

In the hills of St Mary sits one of my favourite spots to swim, Old Spanish Bridge. Shango, grew up at this river and has since taken on the responsibility of being the ‘River Keeper’. Shango has been looking after this spot for 11 years, keeping it clean, watching out for visitors in the water, planting flowers on the banks and maintaining the swing. Shango is the River Keeper!

Everything about this young man's story, passion and goals makes me smile from the inside out. If you're in the area go visit Shango and help supporting the brilliant work he's doing, preserving and maintaining one of Jamaicas hidden jewels.