The article discusses the importance of percussionists and drummers in Jamaican popular music, especially reggae, arguing that their contributions have often been under-estimated. It emphasizes the traditional African roots of characteristic Jamaican drumming styles. An overview of the history of Jamaican percussion and drumming is provided. Musicians discussed include Babu Bryan, known for his Kumina drumming, Watta King, a drummer in the Buru tradition, and Oswald "Count Ossie" Williams, who developed the Nyabinghi style of Rastafarian drumming.
"First let me congratulate UNESCO, UNICA and UWI for taking the initiative to host this Conference, and let me say how much I have enjoyed the enthusiastic advocacy for this field by Ms. Helene-Marie Gosselin of UNESCO. Her quarterly reports on Education and HIV/AIDS are a joy to read, both for substance and method of presentation. I also wish to congratulate Professor Kochhar and PVC Hamilton of the University of the West Indies for their work in organizing the conference...."
The article analyzes Jamaican education policies formed by Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley and his government. The author is mainly interested in assessing the influence of Manley's notion of equality on his educational reforms for Jamaica's poor black citizens. Manley's understanding of equality is explained, which was largely influenced by a commitment to black pride and social justice. The educational standards and curricula developed by the Jamaican government are then detailed, with emphasis given to vocational programs and content dealing with Jamaicans' African heritage. The author concludes by evaluating the government's stance on educating Rastafarians.
Offers a preliminary analysis of conclusions of the colonial conference of British representatives of the Lesser Antilles and Guyana centering childhood and health. The inclusion in the program of questions as the job of the children, the centers of game, and medical examination, reflects the important link established between education and its impact on health and progress in the region. Supports that the health policies in English-speaking Caribbean were influenced as well by the concerns of British Empire as local communities." (author)
