Goat Curry Gallery

Merlene lived and worked for most of her life in Kingston but has now moved back to Oracabessa, St Mary. Everyday she visits her mother (who she calls grandmother), caring for her and making sure she’s okay.

Hard work is crucial for survival, Merlene explained to me. When you work hard you’re able to only support yourself, but also your family. This is something Merlene tells her children and grandchildren often.

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.

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.

Rohan is a plumber from Kingston and works at the National Water Commission. On the side he does extra plumbing jobs outside of his work hours.... to get ahead.

When I first met Rohan he explained to me some of the ways that he feels Jamaica is stuck within a ‘plantation mentality’. How people have been divided and broken for so long now that it's become part of modern life. There's no support among peers, between brothers and sisters of society. If you're getting ahead others will become jealous and try to pull you back and hold you down. This is a phenomenon in Jamaica known as ‘Bad Mind’ and seems to be prevalent across all aspects of society.

Since I've been in Jamiaca I have this has defiantly been a common narrative and experience for many people I’ve met. When it comes to career and ambition people are constantly remarking at how quickly those around them will try to stunt them.

Thank you Rohan for sharing your insight.

Near Roaring River, in the mountains of Westmoreland stands this ancient silk cotton tree. These incredible trees which were spiritual and sacred for the Taino (first inhabitants) have continued to be significant cultural landmarks across Jamaica. The cotton tree has served as a site for gatherings, rituals and ceremonies and are used in various medicinal remedies.

As I sat with Bobo and listened to his stories, I could feel the power and energy which emanated from this tree. Apparently there is always a blue house underneath a cotton tree, and this is where mermaids make their home.