Jamaica Offers To Help US With Matthew Recovery
Jamaica offers to help US with Matthew recovery
Jamaica offers to help US with Matthew recovery
Essential Afro-Latino/ Caribbean Current Events
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APPRECIATING THE AKAMBA OF PARAGUAY IN SOUTH AMERICA
INVESTMENT NEWS — OCTOBER 15, 2016
Kenyans should appreciate the Akamba who live in Paraguay in South America for maintaining and prompting the Akamba culture – and therefore Kenyan culture in America for centuries.
From what we hear, it has not always been easy for them with governments that want to deny them of their right to be Kambas.
The Kambas founded the two most significant cities for African Paraguayans, the most important being Kamba Cuá where the dance and culture are derived from the main Kamba dance in Kenya. Their ballet is the only Afro-Paraguayan expression in the country. It premiered at the Folk Festival peach “Uruguay Yi sings in” 1992, where it won the “Golden charrúa”.
The Kambas of Kamba Cue are famous in South America for their awesome, intense and lively traditional African drumming and dancing. Their dance which is described as the central cultural identity of the of Afro Paraguayan community.
Arrival
They arrived in Paraguay as members of a regiment of 250 spearmen, men and women, who accompanied General Jose Gervasio Artigas, the independence revolutionary leader of the Eastern Band (the current Uruguay) in his exile in Paraguay in 1820.
They settled to practice dairy and crop farming. However, in the 1940s, they were dispossessed of their land by General Higinio Morinigo. Out of their land of 100 hectares they were given paltry 3 hectares to stay on.
However, the community has survived, kept their churches and dances, created a football club (“Jan Six-ro”) and one school of drum and dance for children.
Their original lands at Campamento Loma remained vacant, and Kamba Cuá recently occupied them and planted the manioc, but by “unfair and discriminating government decision” they were accused of being “terrorists”, beaten and evicted.
Today, according official estimates, there live about 300 families in Kamba Cuá representing about 58% of the total population are of African descent in Paraguay
Human Rights
“The Paraguayan state does not recognise us as an ethnic minority,” says José Carlos Medina, the general secretary of the Kamba Kuá Afro-Paraguayan Association. “Our children have great difficulty in constructing their Afro identity when, at school, they are so often discriminated against, either because of their skin colour or their clothes. We are proud of our identity and origins, and we want the Paraguayan state to recognise us as the Afro-Paraguayan population we are,” he said
Access to education and health are two key demands of the communities. They emphasize that 7.4 percent of the Afro-descendant school-age population is illiterate, while only 15 percent of this ethnic group has health insurance.
APPRECIATING THE AKAMBA OF PARAGUAY IN SOUTH AMERICA
INVESTMENT NEWS — OCTOBER 15, 2016
Kenyans should appreciate the Akamba who live in Paraguay in South America for maintaining and prompting the Akamba culture – and therefore Kenyan culture in America for centuries.
From what we hear, it has not always been easy for them with governments that want to deny them of their right to be Kambas.
The Kambas founded the two most significant cities for African Paraguayans, the most important being Kamba Cuá where the dance and culture are derived from the main Kamba dance in Kenya. Their ballet is the only Afro-Paraguayan expression in the country. It premiered at the Folk Festival peach “Uruguay Yi sings in” 1992, where it won the “Golden charrúa”.
The Kambas of Kamba Cue are famous in South America for their awesome, intense and lively traditional African drumming and dancing. Their dance which is described as the central cultural identity of the of Afro Paraguayan community.
Arrival
They arrived in Paraguay as members of a regiment of 250 spearmen, men and women, who accompanied General Jose Gervasio Artigas, the independence revolutionary leader of the Eastern Band (the current Uruguay) in his exile in Paraguay in 1820.
They settled to practice dairy and crop farming. However, in the 1940s, they were dispossessed of their land by General Higinio Morinigo. Out of their land of 100 hectares they were given paltry 3 hectares to stay on.
However, the community has survived, kept their churches and dances, created a football club (“Jan Six-ro”) and one school of drum and dance for children.
Their original lands at Campamento Loma remained vacant, and Kamba Cuá recently occupied them and planted the manioc, but by “unfair and discriminating government decision” they were accused of being “terrorists”, beaten and evicted.
Today, according official estimates, there live about 300 families in Kamba Cuá representing about 58% of the total population are of African descent in Paraguay
Human Rights
“The Paraguayan state does not recognise us as an ethnic minority,” says José Carlos Medina, the general secretary of the Kamba Kuá Afro-Paraguayan Association. “Our children have great difficulty in constructing their Afro identity when, at school, they are so often discriminated against, either because of their skin colour or their clothes. We are proud of our identity and origins, and we want the Paraguayan state to recognise us as the Afro-Paraguayan population we are,” he said
Access to education and health are two key demands of the communities. They emphasize that 7.4 percent of the Afro-descendant school-age population is illiterate, while only 15 percent of this ethnic group has health insurance.
APPRECIATING THE AKAMBA OF PARAGUAY IN SOUTH AMERICA
Belize’s prohibition of industrial hemp is unlawful, outrageous and indefensible
Features — 22 October 2016— by William Conde
Legal opinions, from top government legal minds in Belize, have been given, and they agree — the cultivation of cannabis for industrial use (fiber and seed) is legal in Belize. Still our top-elected officials and politically appointed bureaucrats continue to ignore the fact that the cultivation of industrial hemp in Belize is legal and could create thousands upon thousands of excellent paying jobs.
One of the government’s top attorneys is quoted as saying, “The Misuse of Drugs Act has the definition of cannabis as ‘including any part of the plant of the genus cannabis, any resin obtained from that plant and any product of which such resin forms a base.’ It is submitted that that definition needs to be read in the context of the Single Convention which states at Article 28 that ‘This Convention shall not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant exclusively for industrial purposes (fiber and seed) or horticultural purposes.’”
Belize is a signatory to the UN Singles Convention and therefore must recognize this as law. Then why can’t we grow this here in Belize? Why, when the law is so self-evident? Because our all-powerful elected and appointed officials seem to get their shorts in a knot at just the mention of cannabis. How then is it possible that we cannot grow industrial hemp in Belize? Why, because they have it their way and refuse to even discuss it, for if they were to try to publically defend their position they would without a doubt lose the conversation and they know it. So, they usurp their power by pretending there is nothing to discuss.
Not only is industrial hemp legal in Belize; prohibition violates the Constitution of Belize, which states “that there should be adequate means of livelihood for all,” and that is just one of many ways prohibition violates our Constitution. How could the prohibition violate adequate means of livelihood for all? Can cannabis support such a mandate of adequate means of livelihood for all?
You bet! Let me give you a brief summary of the benefits of cultivation of industrial hemp for the Belizean people.
Hemp grows without all those agricultural toxic chemicals, thus saving a lot of the expense of cultivation, not to mention the health-saving benefits of organic agriculture. Hemp actually removes old toxins from the soil. (See Belize Agriculture Report, August and September 2016.)
Over 35,000 products can be created using hemp’s fiber and oil. Hey, the government is crying about decreasing exports. Well, guys, guess what, here is your export problem solved.
What about money? Hemp is less expensive to cultivate than other crops and produces unbelievable amounts of product. Also, it has extremely high world market demand and value.
Well, what is it worth? Let’s take a quick look.
2016 current world market prices: hemp seed oil wholesale FOB Canada, $6.70 USD per liter.
Oil production around 300 gallons per acre. Let us do the math — 300 gallons equal how many liters? 300 X 3.75 equals 1,125 liters at $6.70 USD per liter, equals $7,537.50 USD, equals BZ$15,075 per acre.
A 25-acre farm could gross BZ$376,875 wholesale exportable dollars from one harvest of seed oil. Unbelievable but true. Two or three harvests a year in Belize. A kind of alchemy for Belize, turning so-called criminal cultivators and illegal enterprises into legitimate farmers and Belize’s greatest legal economic engine.
And that is just the oil from the seed. There is still the fiber, which we could do value-adding and get big money for also. The fiber is in addition to the oil.
But the real big money is in CBD (Cannabidiol), a newly discovered medicine derived from the leaf (in the past considered a waste product of industrial hemp) which cures many diseases considered till now incurable. Rare forms of epilepsy (that kills tens of thousands of children annually), cancer, Alzheimer’s, PTSD and more. This product sells on the worldwide market for about $500 to $1,300 USD per ounce. With good plant breeding, you can produce quantities of up to 30%. The value of this previously considered waste product can yield $22,000 USD per acre.
Ezekiel 34:29 — “And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.”
Rev. 22 — “and the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations”
Now what about that adequate means of livelihood for all?
If you think the government is justified in continuing this prohibition, try educating yourself. Start with watching Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s documentaries called “Weed”, “Weed 2” and Weed3″; you can access them on YouTube.
Only God can know how any conscious human can deny a dying child the right to a normal life or the people of Belize an adequate means of livelihood.
Prohibition is a great injustice perpetrated upon the people of Belize, so I genuinely beg the high officials who have the power of change to please dig deep into their hearts and serve the higher purpose of the people of Belize and end their unlawful, unjust, unholy and unconstitutional prohibition of industrial hemp.
ONE LOVE
William Conde,
BelizeHemp.com
(Ed.NOTE: Mr. Conde has been fighting this battle for a long time. However, his opinions and statements, while interesting, are his own, and not necessarily those of this newspaper.)
Features — 22 October 2016— by William Conde
Legal opinions, from top government legal minds in Belize, have been given, and they agree — the cultivation of cannabis for industrial use (fiber and seed) is legal in Belize. Still our top-elected officials and politically appointed bureaucrats continue to ignore the fact that the cultivation of industrial hemp in Belize is legal and could create thousands upon thousands of excellent paying jobs.
One of the government’s top attorneys is quoted as saying, “The Misuse of Drugs Act has the definition of cannabis as ‘including any part of the plant of the genus cannabis, any resin obtained from that plant and any product of which such resin forms a base.’ It is submitted that that definition needs to be read in the context of the Single Convention which states at Article 28 that ‘This Convention shall not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant exclusively for industrial purposes (fiber and seed) or horticultural purposes.’”
Belize is a signatory to the UN Singles Convention and therefore must recognize this as law. Then why can’t we grow this here in Belize? Why, when the law is so self-evident? Because our all-powerful elected and appointed officials seem to get their shorts in a knot at just the mention of cannabis. How then is it possible that we cannot grow industrial hemp in Belize? Why, because they have it their way and refuse to even discuss it, for if they were to try to publically defend their position they would without a doubt lose the conversation and they know it. So, they usurp their power by pretending there is nothing to discuss.
Not only is industrial hemp legal in Belize; prohibition violates the Constitution of Belize, which states “that there should be adequate means of livelihood for all,” and that is just one of many ways prohibition violates our Constitution. How could the prohibition violate adequate means of livelihood for all? Can cannabis support such a mandate of adequate means of livelihood for all?
You bet! Let me give you a brief summary of the benefits of cultivation of industrial hemp for the Belizean people.
Hemp grows without all those agricultural toxic chemicals, thus saving a lot of the expense of cultivation, not to mention the health-saving benefits of organic agriculture. Hemp actually removes old toxins from the soil. (See Belize Agriculture Report, August and September 2016.)
Over 35,000 products can be created using hemp’s fiber and oil. Hey, the government is crying about decreasing exports. Well, guys, guess what, here is your export problem solved.
What about money? Hemp is less expensive to cultivate than other crops and produces unbelievable amounts of product. Also, it has extremely high world market demand and value.
Well, what is it worth? Let’s take a quick look.
2016 current world market prices: hemp seed oil wholesale FOB Canada, $6.70 USD per liter.
Oil production around 300 gallons per acre. Let us do the math — 300 gallons equal how many liters? 300 X 3.75 equals 1,125 liters at $6.70 USD per liter, equals $7,537.50 USD, equals BZ$15,075 per acre.
A 25-acre farm could gross BZ$376,875 wholesale exportable dollars from one harvest of seed oil. Unbelievable but true. Two or three harvests a year in Belize. A kind of alchemy for Belize, turning so-called criminal cultivators and illegal enterprises into legitimate farmers and Belize’s greatest legal economic engine.
And that is just the oil from the seed. There is still the fiber, which we could do value-adding and get big money for also. The fiber is in addition to the oil.
But the real big money is in CBD (Cannabidiol), a newly discovered medicine derived from the leaf (in the past considered a waste product of industrial hemp) which cures many diseases considered till now incurable. Rare forms of epilepsy (that kills tens of thousands of children annually), cancer, Alzheimer’s, PTSD and more. This product sells on the worldwide market for about $500 to $1,300 USD per ounce. With good plant breeding, you can produce quantities of up to 30%. The value of this previously considered waste product can yield $22,000 USD per acre.
Ezekiel 34:29 — “And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.”
Rev. 22 — “and the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations”
Now what about that adequate means of livelihood for all?
If you think the government is justified in continuing this prohibition, try educating yourself. Start with watching Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s documentaries called “Weed”, “Weed 2” and Weed3″; you can access them on YouTube.
Only God can know how any conscious human can deny a dying child the right to a normal life or the people of Belize an adequate means of livelihood.
Prohibition is a great injustice perpetrated upon the people of Belize, so I genuinely beg the high officials who have the power of change to please dig deep into their hearts and serve the higher purpose of the people of Belize and end their unlawful, unjust, unholy and unconstitutional prohibition of industrial hemp.
ONE LOVE
William Conde,
BelizeHemp.com
(Ed.NOTE: Mr. Conde has been fighting this battle for a long time. However, his opinions and statements, while interesting, are his own, and not necessarily those of this newspaper.)
Barbados economy shows signs of improvement
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 | 2:52 PM
(Photo: CMC)
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Barbados economy grew by 1.3 per cent during the first nine months of the year and the Central Bank is predicting that the island will record economic growth of 1.4 per cent for 2016.
It said that the improved economic situation was due to improvements in the tourism, construction, business and other sectors where growth was an average three per cent.
The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) also noted that the average unemployment rate fell to 10.2 per cent for the nine months ending June and that inflation remained in negative territory, with the price index declining by 1.2 per cent.
It said Barbados ranks at number seven in the Americas in the competitiveness of the tourism sector with the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica ahead of the island.
“A strength of the tourism industry is the fact that Barbados does not have an over-reliance on any one market. Long stay arrivals increased by 5.7 per cent, with arrivals from the US up 11 per cent and the UK up three per cent,” the CBB added.
It said the economic foundations of Barbados’ international business and financial services sector remain strong, but the sector faces a challenge because of the sentiment against globalisation in advanced economies.
Data up to July indicates that the number of licenses granted to International Business Companies (IBC) declined by 7.5 per cent.
In addition, a total of BDS$67 billion (one Barbados dollar =US$0.50 cents) in assets were held by international banks in June 2016, representing a 16 per cent decrease over a 12-month period.
“Maintaining the value of our currency hinges on crafting fiscal policies that aid in dampening the demand for foreign currency. Government’s fiscal consolidation has assisted in the maintenance of a level of reserves that are above the 12 week benchmark.”
The CBB said that the stock of foreign reserves at end-September stood at BDS$900 million or 14 weeks of import cover and in an effort to augment this stock of foreign reserves, fiscal policy was tightened in August, by means of a combination of additional revenue measures and further cuts in expenditure
There has been a significant improvement in the current account of the balance of payments, but the financial account inflows have been very weak. The current account deficit was lower by 3.6 percentage points of GDP, almost entirely because of tourism. Fuel imports were down by 1.9 percentage points of GDP, with a fall in both prices and the amount imported.
The CBB noted that the fiscal deficit for the April to September period is estimated to be BDS$145 million on the current account and that accrued tax revenues are anticipated to increase by BDS$13 million, with corporate taxes, property taxes, and excises increasing by six million, BDS$14 million and BDS$10 million respectively.
The Central Bank is forecasting that economic growth of 1.4 per cent for 2016, indicating that growth for the next five years is expected to be in the region of two per cent per year, “driven by our competitive, diversified, and highly regarded tourism sector”.
The CBB said an 11 per cent increase in airline capacity is expected from the US and Canada for the coming tourist season and that a pickup in construction activity is also anticipated, much of it tourism-related.
“The combined effect of the August fiscal measures and revenues from the sale of the Barbados National Oil Terminal Ltd. is expected to reduce the government’s deficit to the end of the fiscal year slightly above four per cent percent of GDP.
“A continuation of the process of fiscal consolidation should reduce the deficit below the rate of GDP growth in 2017. In subsequent years the ratio should decline, as government updates the medium term fiscal adjustment strategy.”
Barbados economy shows signs of improvement - News
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 | 2:52 PM
(Photo: CMC)
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Barbados economy grew by 1.3 per cent during the first nine months of the year and the Central Bank is predicting that the island will record economic growth of 1.4 per cent for 2016.
It said that the improved economic situation was due to improvements in the tourism, construction, business and other sectors where growth was an average three per cent.
The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) also noted that the average unemployment rate fell to 10.2 per cent for the nine months ending June and that inflation remained in negative territory, with the price index declining by 1.2 per cent.
It said Barbados ranks at number seven in the Americas in the competitiveness of the tourism sector with the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica ahead of the island.
“A strength of the tourism industry is the fact that Barbados does not have an over-reliance on any one market. Long stay arrivals increased by 5.7 per cent, with arrivals from the US up 11 per cent and the UK up three per cent,” the CBB added.
It said the economic foundations of Barbados’ international business and financial services sector remain strong, but the sector faces a challenge because of the sentiment against globalisation in advanced economies.
Data up to July indicates that the number of licenses granted to International Business Companies (IBC) declined by 7.5 per cent.
In addition, a total of BDS$67 billion (one Barbados dollar =US$0.50 cents) in assets were held by international banks in June 2016, representing a 16 per cent decrease over a 12-month period.
“Maintaining the value of our currency hinges on crafting fiscal policies that aid in dampening the demand for foreign currency. Government’s fiscal consolidation has assisted in the maintenance of a level of reserves that are above the 12 week benchmark.”
The CBB said that the stock of foreign reserves at end-September stood at BDS$900 million or 14 weeks of import cover and in an effort to augment this stock of foreign reserves, fiscal policy was tightened in August, by means of a combination of additional revenue measures and further cuts in expenditure
There has been a significant improvement in the current account of the balance of payments, but the financial account inflows have been very weak. The current account deficit was lower by 3.6 percentage points of GDP, almost entirely because of tourism. Fuel imports were down by 1.9 percentage points of GDP, with a fall in both prices and the amount imported.
The CBB noted that the fiscal deficit for the April to September period is estimated to be BDS$145 million on the current account and that accrued tax revenues are anticipated to increase by BDS$13 million, with corporate taxes, property taxes, and excises increasing by six million, BDS$14 million and BDS$10 million respectively.
The Central Bank is forecasting that economic growth of 1.4 per cent for 2016, indicating that growth for the next five years is expected to be in the region of two per cent per year, “driven by our competitive, diversified, and highly regarded tourism sector”.
The CBB said an 11 per cent increase in airline capacity is expected from the US and Canada for the coming tourist season and that a pickup in construction activity is also anticipated, much of it tourism-related.
“The combined effect of the August fiscal measures and revenues from the sale of the Barbados National Oil Terminal Ltd. is expected to reduce the government’s deficit to the end of the fiscal year slightly above four per cent percent of GDP.
“A continuation of the process of fiscal consolidation should reduce the deficit below the rate of GDP growth in 2017. In subsequent years the ratio should decline, as government updates the medium term fiscal adjustment strategy.”
Barbados economy shows signs of improvement - News
New report says regional GDP will shrink in 2016 - News
CARTEGENA, (CMC) – A new joint report by the Development Center of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Development Bank for Latin America (CAF) says that regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will shrink by between 0.9 per cent and one per cent this year.
ECLAC says this will be the second consecutive year of negative growth and a rate of contraction the region has not seen since the early 1980s.
According to the Latin American Economic Outlook 2017, the region should, however, recover in 2017, but with modest GDP growth of between 1.5 per cent and two per cent, still below expected growth in advanced economies.
The report says the prolonged economic deceleration could jeopardize the region’s socio-economic progress.
Based on the report, the organisations have called for investing in youth through better education, improved skills and entrepreneurship opportunities to ignite economic growth and build a solid basis for long-term progress.
The Outlook shows how social, ethnic, gender and geographical conditioning impacts individuals.
It says nearly 30 million young people in the region are neither working nor engaged in education or training (NEET), which is 21 per cent of the people in this age group, compared with 15 per cent in OECD countries.
It says another 19 per cent of youths are in informal jobs.
The report notes that women are particularly disadvantaged, making up 76 per cent of NEETS and occupying mainly unpaid jobs.
It adds that at least six out of 10 youths living in poor households are NEETs, or working in the informal sector, and four out of 10 youths living in vulnerable middle-class households are NEETs, or in informal jobs.
This compares to only two out of 10 from middle-class households, ECLAC said.
“The region can gain from better including youth and offering quality education, skills and entrepreneurship opportunities in order to foster growth and inclusion,” said Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, at the launch of the report here at the 25th Ibero-American Summit.
“The lack of good employment opportunities and the poor transition from school to work are hindering youth inclusion and disappointing expectations in our region,” she added. “Too many young people are left out of access to public services, savings and social mobility.”
Although education in Latin America and the Caribbean has improved significantly in the last decade, the report says few students advance far enough up the education ladder to be productive later in life.
The report says two out of three young people are not equipped to meet labor market needs for sophisticated technical, professional and management skills.
At the same time, it says 50 per cent of formal firms in the region report having difficulty filling jobs, compared to 36 per cent in OECD countries.
The report says countries must identify low performing students, improve the transition to higher levels of education and strengthen technical education and training.
“Training programs should combine classroom and workplace learning to transition to formal jobs.”
In this context, the report says 26 per cent of young entrepreneurs turn to entrepreneurship out of necessity, “because they have no better options for work,” compared with 16 per cent in OECD countries.
The report says barriers to entrepreneurship are 59 per cent higher in Latin America and the Caribbean than in the OECD on average.
“The integration of young entrepreneurs in the region into global value chains is still limited, and they face challenges accessing financing, improving capacity building, developing business networks and an entrepreneurial culture, accessing new markets, and overcoming regulatory barriers, even more so than their adult counterparts,” the report says.
The Outlook recommends multi-dimensional policy support, such as complementing micro-credits with lower regulatory barriers, linking young entrepreneurs with business networks, and expanding managerial and financial training.
“Supporting access to broadband services, infrastructure and affordability to help youth make the most of the digital economy is also paramount,” ECLAC said.
“Policy makers need to collect information and evaluate youth programs to design policies taking on board the current technological, political and social transformations that are metamorphosing the world of work and the environment, notably cities where 9 out of 10 youths in LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) will live by 2050,” said Enrique García, CAF President and Chief Executive Officer.
“At the same time, these investments should be programmed within a credible and sustainable fiscal framework,” he added.
CARTEGENA, (CMC) – A new joint report by the Development Center of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Development Bank for Latin America (CAF) says that regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will shrink by between 0.9 per cent and one per cent this year.
ECLAC says this will be the second consecutive year of negative growth and a rate of contraction the region has not seen since the early 1980s.
According to the Latin American Economic Outlook 2017, the region should, however, recover in 2017, but with modest GDP growth of between 1.5 per cent and two per cent, still below expected growth in advanced economies.
The report says the prolonged economic deceleration could jeopardize the region’s socio-economic progress.
Based on the report, the organisations have called for investing in youth through better education, improved skills and entrepreneurship opportunities to ignite economic growth and build a solid basis for long-term progress.
The Outlook shows how social, ethnic, gender and geographical conditioning impacts individuals.
It says nearly 30 million young people in the region are neither working nor engaged in education or training (NEET), which is 21 per cent of the people in this age group, compared with 15 per cent in OECD countries.
It says another 19 per cent of youths are in informal jobs.
The report notes that women are particularly disadvantaged, making up 76 per cent of NEETS and occupying mainly unpaid jobs.
It adds that at least six out of 10 youths living in poor households are NEETs, or working in the informal sector, and four out of 10 youths living in vulnerable middle-class households are NEETs, or in informal jobs.
This compares to only two out of 10 from middle-class households, ECLAC said.
“The region can gain from better including youth and offering quality education, skills and entrepreneurship opportunities in order to foster growth and inclusion,” said Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, at the launch of the report here at the 25th Ibero-American Summit.
“The lack of good employment opportunities and the poor transition from school to work are hindering youth inclusion and disappointing expectations in our region,” she added. “Too many young people are left out of access to public services, savings and social mobility.”
Although education in Latin America and the Caribbean has improved significantly in the last decade, the report says few students advance far enough up the education ladder to be productive later in life.
The report says two out of three young people are not equipped to meet labor market needs for sophisticated technical, professional and management skills.
At the same time, it says 50 per cent of formal firms in the region report having difficulty filling jobs, compared to 36 per cent in OECD countries.
The report says countries must identify low performing students, improve the transition to higher levels of education and strengthen technical education and training.
“Training programs should combine classroom and workplace learning to transition to formal jobs.”
In this context, the report says 26 per cent of young entrepreneurs turn to entrepreneurship out of necessity, “because they have no better options for work,” compared with 16 per cent in OECD countries.
The report says barriers to entrepreneurship are 59 per cent higher in Latin America and the Caribbean than in the OECD on average.
“The integration of young entrepreneurs in the region into global value chains is still limited, and they face challenges accessing financing, improving capacity building, developing business networks and an entrepreneurial culture, accessing new markets, and overcoming regulatory barriers, even more so than their adult counterparts,” the report says.
The Outlook recommends multi-dimensional policy support, such as complementing micro-credits with lower regulatory barriers, linking young entrepreneurs with business networks, and expanding managerial and financial training.
“Supporting access to broadband services, infrastructure and affordability to help youth make the most of the digital economy is also paramount,” ECLAC said.
“Policy makers need to collect information and evaluate youth programs to design policies taking on board the current technological, political and social transformations that are metamorphosing the world of work and the environment, notably cities where 9 out of 10 youths in LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) will live by 2050,” said Enrique García, CAF President and Chief Executive Officer.
“At the same time, these investments should be programmed within a credible and sustainable fiscal framework,” he added.
Saint Lucia hosts the 2nd Annual Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Festival
OCTOBER 31ST, 2016
Though language and distance separate, there’s no denying that the Caribbean region and Central and South American countries are historically bound by our colonial past and heritage. Recognizing the significance of this bond, recently the five Latin American Embassies—Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela—in a bold historic move united their efforts to strengthen ties between the Anglo-speaking Caribbean and Latin America. The very first initiative arising from this union is the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Festival (LACFEST).
Created in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia, and now in its second year, the week-long LACFEST, seeks to enable cultural exchange through film, dance, music and food. Piloted and held in Saint Lucia for the 2nd consecutive year, LACFEST 2016 takes place from November 5-12. The event was undertaken to deepen awareness and understanding of the similarity of the cultures of the people of Our America – the People of Latin America and the Caribbean. This year the festival of cinematic pleasure, splendour, and intrigue will continue on its path to become a feature on the cultural landscape of Saint Lucia and a highlight on the touristic calendar of the Region.
Like last year, the main focus of “Festival 2016” is Latin American and Caribbean Cinema. Each Diplomatic Mission, in addition to the Audio-visual Association of Saint Lucia, will screen two (2) films from their country, one directed toward a school/student audience (a matinee show) and one for the General public, screened on evenings.
According to the Venezuelan Ambassador, the Festival Chair, “This Festival will allow us to appreciate the enormous diversity of the Latin American and Caribbean film industry, of which the technical, production and performance quality is truly world class. Additionally, the audience can also enjoy other complementary activities that each country will present to the participating public.” An event of this magnitude and quality could not be possible without the support of corporate partners. This year a number partners have graciously lent their support; Platinum Sponsor Digicel, Bronze Sponsors: Northwest Ltd, Caribbean Metals, J Q Motors, M&C Ltd, Blue Waters, Johnsons Hardware Ltd, St Lucia’s Distillers/ Barbay Ltd, and Advanced Intellectual Methods.
Free admission to all events at the National Cultural Centre which makes LACFEST 2016 a must on your social calendar!
Saint Lucia hosts the 2nd Annual Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Festival
OCTOBER 31ST, 2016
Though language and distance separate, there’s no denying that the Caribbean region and Central and South American countries are historically bound by our colonial past and heritage. Recognizing the significance of this bond, recently the five Latin American Embassies—Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela—in a bold historic move united their efforts to strengthen ties between the Anglo-speaking Caribbean and Latin America. The very first initiative arising from this union is the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Festival (LACFEST).
Created in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia, and now in its second year, the week-long LACFEST, seeks to enable cultural exchange through film, dance, music and food. Piloted and held in Saint Lucia for the 2nd consecutive year, LACFEST 2016 takes place from November 5-12. The event was undertaken to deepen awareness and understanding of the similarity of the cultures of the people of Our America – the People of Latin America and the Caribbean. This year the festival of cinematic pleasure, splendour, and intrigue will continue on its path to become a feature on the cultural landscape of Saint Lucia and a highlight on the touristic calendar of the Region.
Like last year, the main focus of “Festival 2016” is Latin American and Caribbean Cinema. Each Diplomatic Mission, in addition to the Audio-visual Association of Saint Lucia, will screen two (2) films from their country, one directed toward a school/student audience (a matinee show) and one for the General public, screened on evenings.
According to the Venezuelan Ambassador, the Festival Chair, “This Festival will allow us to appreciate the enormous diversity of the Latin American and Caribbean film industry, of which the technical, production and performance quality is truly world class. Additionally, the audience can also enjoy other complementary activities that each country will present to the participating public.” An event of this magnitude and quality could not be possible without the support of corporate partners. This year a number partners have graciously lent their support; Platinum Sponsor Digicel, Bronze Sponsors: Northwest Ltd, Caribbean Metals, J Q Motors, M&C Ltd, Blue Waters, Johnsons Hardware Ltd, St Lucia’s Distillers/ Barbay Ltd, and Advanced Intellectual Methods.
Free admission to all events at the National Cultural Centre which makes LACFEST 2016 a must on your social calendar!
Saint Lucia hosts the 2nd Annual Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Festival
Dominican Republic identifies six areas with hydrocarbon potential
11/02/2016
Hydrocarbon-bearing basins in the Dominican Republic. (Map courtesy the Dominican Republic Ministry of Energy and Mines)
Offshore staff
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported six areas of the national territory with geological information interpreted by state-of-the-art software, which could be the starting point for in-depth research on probable hydrocarbon deposits.
Minister Antonio Isa Conde, during an event aimed at informing the results of a 2D seismic survey and petroleum system modeling of certain areas of the Dominican Republic, explained that “the purpose of these studies [is] for scientists, environmentalists, companies, investors and civil society to take full advantage of them.”
He underlined that sharing this information will help open a debate on what the potential for hydrocarbons is, and what would be convenient to do with the wealth of hydrocarbons that might exist in the subsurface.
The areas with the largest potential belong to the Enriquillo, Azua, San Juan, Ocoa (offshore), San Pedro (offshore) and East Cibao basins, with faults and structures that could work as hydrocarbon-retaining traps that still require more in-depth studies to arrive at definitive conclusions.
The studies were conducted by Schlumberger, and suggest that the locations of greatest interest for further in-depth seismic surveys are in Enriquillo, Azua, San Juan, and San Pedro.
The Enriquillo basin “has defined traps that coincide with source rocks, where the Sombrerito and Plaisance rocks are in the oil-generating window,” Isa Conde observed. As for the Azua basin, “high structures operating as hydrocarbon reservoirs were determined, and coincide with the Ocoa and Jura source rocks, which are in the oil-generating window,” he added.
“Developing the hydrocarbon potential must be undertaken with due responsibility and, therefore, before making this information publicly available, we developed a regulation to establish clear-cut standards for future exploration activities,” Isa Conde stated.
He defined the endeavors of the government of Danilo Medina to make hydrocarbon information freely and openly available, and noted that this measure was both unprecedented and of critical importance.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Hydrocarbons, Alberto Reyes, commented that the interest of the ministry was neither to create false expectations nor to elicit newspaper headlines. He said that addressing the question on whether there is oil in the country is complex, because new information, in-depth analysis, and given geological conditions are required.
The activity held by the ministry to offer blocks with oil exploration potential was attended by representatives of diplomatic delegations, academic institutions, business associations, oil and electric power companies, as well as members from organized civil society entities.
The Schlumberger report recommends conducting further in-depth analysis and seismic data acquisition or processing, and suggests this be attained through:
Schlumberger was awarded a bid in December 2014 by the Ministry of Energy and Mines to create the National Hydrocarbon Database (BNDH, per its acronym in Spanish) and advise the institution on this topic. The agreement was signed in March 2015 and the BNDH was delivered in 2016.
11/02/2016
Dominican Republic identifies six areas with hydrocarbon potential
11/02/2016
Hydrocarbon-bearing basins in the Dominican Republic. (Map courtesy the Dominican Republic Ministry of Energy and Mines)
Offshore staff
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported six areas of the national territory with geological information interpreted by state-of-the-art software, which could be the starting point for in-depth research on probable hydrocarbon deposits.
Minister Antonio Isa Conde, during an event aimed at informing the results of a 2D seismic survey and petroleum system modeling of certain areas of the Dominican Republic, explained that “the purpose of these studies [is] for scientists, environmentalists, companies, investors and civil society to take full advantage of them.”
He underlined that sharing this information will help open a debate on what the potential for hydrocarbons is, and what would be convenient to do with the wealth of hydrocarbons that might exist in the subsurface.
The areas with the largest potential belong to the Enriquillo, Azua, San Juan, Ocoa (offshore), San Pedro (offshore) and East Cibao basins, with faults and structures that could work as hydrocarbon-retaining traps that still require more in-depth studies to arrive at definitive conclusions.
The studies were conducted by Schlumberger, and suggest that the locations of greatest interest for further in-depth seismic surveys are in Enriquillo, Azua, San Juan, and San Pedro.
The Enriquillo basin “has defined traps that coincide with source rocks, where the Sombrerito and Plaisance rocks are in the oil-generating window,” Isa Conde observed. As for the Azua basin, “high structures operating as hydrocarbon reservoirs were determined, and coincide with the Ocoa and Jura source rocks, which are in the oil-generating window,” he added.
“Developing the hydrocarbon potential must be undertaken with due responsibility and, therefore, before making this information publicly available, we developed a regulation to establish clear-cut standards for future exploration activities,” Isa Conde stated.
He defined the endeavors of the government of Danilo Medina to make hydrocarbon information freely and openly available, and noted that this measure was both unprecedented and of critical importance.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Hydrocarbons, Alberto Reyes, commented that the interest of the ministry was neither to create false expectations nor to elicit newspaper headlines. He said that addressing the question on whether there is oil in the country is complex, because new information, in-depth analysis, and given geological conditions are required.
The activity held by the ministry to offer blocks with oil exploration potential was attended by representatives of diplomatic delegations, academic institutions, business associations, oil and electric power companies, as well as members from organized civil society entities.
The Schlumberger report recommends conducting further in-depth analysis and seismic data acquisition or processing, and suggests this be attained through:
- Acquisition of new seismic surveys, focusing on the areas identified as having potential
- Using this new seismic interpretation to identify subsurface objectives to drill deep exploratory wells and collect lithological and chronostratigraphic information, as well as temperature, pressure, and porosity records.
Schlumberger was awarded a bid in December 2014 by the Ministry of Energy and Mines to create the National Hydrocarbon Database (BNDH, per its acronym in Spanish) and advise the institution on this topic. The agreement was signed in March 2015 and the BNDH was delivered in 2016.
11/02/2016
Dominican Republic identifies six areas with hydrocarbon potential
This Boricua Is Plotting To Open The Bronx’s First Independent Bookstore
Viva
Jessica McKinney | November 1, 2016 - 11:19 am
CREDIT: Facebook / Noëlle Santos
After winning a second place prize of $7,500 at the New York Public Library’s New York StartUP! Business Plan Competition, one woman is planning to take her earnings and turn it into something The Bronx needs and can enjoy. Noëlle Santos, an HR manager of Afro-Puerto Rican descent, is preparing to soon open an independent bookstore, The Lit Bar, in her native South Bronx.
Santos’ Lit Bar will reportedly offer a selection of wines and comfortable seating. There will also be a children’s area called Kiddie Liter. “I have a love for literature, and I want to put that message out there that [the Bronx is] not burning anymore. This is my contribution,” she told DNAinfo.
READ: 18 Latinx Creators Speak On Identity, Passion And The Pursuit Of Greatness
Santos’ business plan follows news of the closure of the Barnes & Noble in Co-Op City, which was the only major bookstore left standing in the borough. “Bay Plaza’s Barnes & Noble was there for our Bronx readers, authors, and children when we needed them,” Santos commented on her blog about the bookstore closing. “They invested in us as we were—not in the promise of what luxury condos and the likes could bring.”
Barnes & Noble Vice President of Development David Deason noted the company attempted to extend its lease, but was unable to reach an agreement with the owner. After the bookstore’s closure in 2017, a Saks will be built in its place.
But Santos says her ambitious plan is not a responsibility that she must bare alone, but one that all Bronx residents must hold. She feels that if residents join in to help out with her business plan, it will most definitely be successful.
READ: Latina Gives Back To Community As CEO Of Hospital Where She Was Born
Justine Manzano, a Bronx-bred writer says she thinks Santos’ business plan is spot-on in addressing the need of Bronxites. “Noëlle’s entire business idea is built on that — she wants to bring other services to the bookstore for this reason,” Manzano told DNAinfo. “Bronxites feel a connection through our pride for where we live, and she is one of us. She gets us.”
Manzano also noted literature and other forms of art are such a vital part of the borough’s culture, yet often overlooked. “Reading and writing are such a huge part of what it takes to elevate people as a whole, and the Bronx is largely cut off from access,” she added.
Despite having limited access to libraries nearby, attendance at Bronx libraries has increased by 225 percent between 2002 and 2014, according to a study conducted by the Center for an Urban Future. If Santos’ business plan succeeds, she will have established the only independent bookstore in The Bronx. She is currently working with development groups to find spaces for the store in the borough: “I want to tell other Bronxites that we don’t have to run away from where we’re from, we can make this a better place.”
Woman Plots To Open First Bronx Independent Bookstore
Viva
Jessica McKinney | November 1, 2016 - 11:19 am
CREDIT: Facebook / Noëlle Santos
After winning a second place prize of $7,500 at the New York Public Library’s New York StartUP! Business Plan Competition, one woman is planning to take her earnings and turn it into something The Bronx needs and can enjoy. Noëlle Santos, an HR manager of Afro-Puerto Rican descent, is preparing to soon open an independent bookstore, The Lit Bar, in her native South Bronx.
Santos’ Lit Bar will reportedly offer a selection of wines and comfortable seating. There will also be a children’s area called Kiddie Liter. “I have a love for literature, and I want to put that message out there that [the Bronx is] not burning anymore. This is my contribution,” she told DNAinfo.
READ: 18 Latinx Creators Speak On Identity, Passion And The Pursuit Of Greatness
Santos’ business plan follows news of the closure of the Barnes & Noble in Co-Op City, which was the only major bookstore left standing in the borough. “Bay Plaza’s Barnes & Noble was there for our Bronx readers, authors, and children when we needed them,” Santos commented on her blog about the bookstore closing. “They invested in us as we were—not in the promise of what luxury condos and the likes could bring.”
Barnes & Noble Vice President of Development David Deason noted the company attempted to extend its lease, but was unable to reach an agreement with the owner. After the bookstore’s closure in 2017, a Saks will be built in its place.
But Santos says her ambitious plan is not a responsibility that she must bare alone, but one that all Bronx residents must hold. She feels that if residents join in to help out with her business plan, it will most definitely be successful.
READ: Latina Gives Back To Community As CEO Of Hospital Where She Was Born
Justine Manzano, a Bronx-bred writer says she thinks Santos’ business plan is spot-on in addressing the need of Bronxites. “Noëlle’s entire business idea is built on that — she wants to bring other services to the bookstore for this reason,” Manzano told DNAinfo. “Bronxites feel a connection through our pride for where we live, and she is one of us. She gets us.”
Manzano also noted literature and other forms of art are such a vital part of the borough’s culture, yet often overlooked. “Reading and writing are such a huge part of what it takes to elevate people as a whole, and the Bronx is largely cut off from access,” she added.
Despite having limited access to libraries nearby, attendance at Bronx libraries has increased by 225 percent between 2002 and 2014, according to a study conducted by the Center for an Urban Future. If Santos’ business plan succeeds, she will have established the only independent bookstore in The Bronx. She is currently working with development groups to find spaces for the store in the borough: “I want to tell other Bronxites that we don’t have to run away from where we’re from, we can make this a better place.”
Woman Plots To Open First Bronx Independent Bookstore
Jamaica's Sound System Culture Dying Or Evolving? - Industry Insiders Say Things Aren't What They Used To Be
Published: Sunday | November 6, 2016 | 12:00 AM | Shereita Grizzle
Speng, a Bass Odyssey selector, makes a clown face to the crowd during a sound clash with Richie Feelings, during the All-Star Clash at Club Famous back in 2014. Bass Odyssey won the clash.
Geefus at the Stone Love controls.
A-One of King Addies sound system.
Sound systems have played an integral role in the development of the Jamaican culture since the 1950s. However, in recent times, there has been an outcry among industry insiders who say the sound system culture that the world has become accustomed to is dying a slow death in the country of its origin. In light of the former, several industry insiders are urging the younger generation of sound system operators to revisit the history books and learn more about the very thing they have chosen as a career path.
Queen Ifrica told The Sunday Gleaner that after recently watching a sound clash while in New York, she was convinced that the sound system scene was more vibrant outside of Jamaica. With that being said, the entertainer made it clear that she does not support the view that the sound system culture in Jamaica is dying.
"There are still many youths across the island who own and operate sound systems and are very much interested in building a career from it," she said. "I do believe, however, that owning and operating a sound system alone cannot cut it. Youths nowadays have to look at how things used to operate back in the day and try to carry that on as best as possible. We do have to evolve and grow, but at the same time, we have to make sure that the authenticity is maintained," Ifrica said.
She also believes that the younger generation of selectors need to expand their catalogue of music in order to actively compete with other sound systems across the world.
NEW YORK CLASH
"I was just at a sound clash in New York where they said it was a competition to expose the younger sound system operators, but it was one of the veteran sounds that won," she recalled. "They won because they played music from all eras of the culture. They played the Dennis Browns, the Gregory Isaacs, and so on, and that was what the people enjoyed, so the younger generation needs to understand that in order to establish themselves among the best and keep the legacy going, they have to be knowledgeable about the music, and that means understanding that music didn't start yesterday because the songs from the '60s, '70s cannot die."
Dwayne Walford, booking agent for veteran sound system Bass Odyssey, agrees with Ifrica to some extent. Walford believes that while it is important for selectors and sound system operators today to understand the history, they have to also chart their own course.
"With the way things have been evolving, it's hard for the youth nowadays to do things exactly like it used to be done back in the day," he said. "The established sound systems that you know about didn't earn their names overnight. It took time. So while I agree that they should learn as much as they can about the music and the sound system culture, they should also make a name for themselves in their own way."
Walford also said that the Noise Abatement Act also contributes to the disappearance of sound systems from street parties.
"Nobody is booking a sound to play at their events anymore. They rather get a man with two speaker box and a laptop because that makes more sense economically, especially when the party a guh lock of at 2 a.m. and the people them start coming at 1 a.m.," he said.
He also believes that these men with their laptops and speaker boxes are also the ones contributing to the downward spiral of the sound system culture as they do not represent what is authentic about the culture.
"Well, they call themselves sound system operators, but they are really solo disc jockeys. A sound system is when you have speaker boxes 'stock and pile' and when you turn it on and the bass makes your entire body jump. That is an authentic sound system, and that is what we need to preserve," said Walford.
For veteran sound system selector A-One of King Addies Sound (responsible for giving the likes of Tony Matterhorn his break in music), he says the sound system culture is revolutionising, not dying.
DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
"Sound system culture can be broken up into a few different categories. First category would be the physical sound (speaker boxes, sound truck). This has definitely lost steam compared to the earlier era of sound system, in my opinion, because of the full-powered systems used to play in the dancehall. This change by itself took away jobs for many (box boy, truck driver, etc). Sound systems are mainly used today in lawns and road-side parties. Here in the US (where he is now based), there has been a shift where persons have regained interest in having a sound system again. Within the past four years, there have been many physical sound system clashes at which the attendance has grown in numbers," he said.
The second category he identifies as 'sound clashes'.
"Again, within the past five years, DJs and sound systems have regained interest in voicing dubplates to 'brag' about their sound. The reason I believe clashing went quiet for a while could have been because the new generation of artistes were on the rise. Older artistes were no longer putting out music to the standard we were used to. Some even went as far as saying, 'Reggae music is dying'. But once the new generation of artistes got the respect of the people and they made hits, this also sparked a new interest in sound systems for the new-generation youths. Today, we have Guinness clash and many other tournaments, which is also helping keep the culture alive."
A-One says, "Being a part of one of the biggest sound systems in the world - King Addies - we have also contributed to keeping the culture alive in the US by continually cutting dubplates and keeping our own events. This includes bringing Reggae artistes and sound systems from around the world to give that vibe in New York."
entertainment@gleanerjm.com
Jamaica's sound system culture dying or evolving? - Industry insiders say things aren't what they used to be
Published: Sunday | November 6, 2016 | 12:00 AM | Shereita Grizzle
Speng, a Bass Odyssey selector, makes a clown face to the crowd during a sound clash with Richie Feelings, during the All-Star Clash at Club Famous back in 2014. Bass Odyssey won the clash.
Geefus at the Stone Love controls.
A-One of King Addies sound system.
Sound systems have played an integral role in the development of the Jamaican culture since the 1950s. However, in recent times, there has been an outcry among industry insiders who say the sound system culture that the world has become accustomed to is dying a slow death in the country of its origin. In light of the former, several industry insiders are urging the younger generation of sound system operators to revisit the history books and learn more about the very thing they have chosen as a career path.
Queen Ifrica told The Sunday Gleaner that after recently watching a sound clash while in New York, she was convinced that the sound system scene was more vibrant outside of Jamaica. With that being said, the entertainer made it clear that she does not support the view that the sound system culture in Jamaica is dying.
"There are still many youths across the island who own and operate sound systems and are very much interested in building a career from it," she said. "I do believe, however, that owning and operating a sound system alone cannot cut it. Youths nowadays have to look at how things used to operate back in the day and try to carry that on as best as possible. We do have to evolve and grow, but at the same time, we have to make sure that the authenticity is maintained," Ifrica said.
She also believes that the younger generation of selectors need to expand their catalogue of music in order to actively compete with other sound systems across the world.
NEW YORK CLASH
"I was just at a sound clash in New York where they said it was a competition to expose the younger sound system operators, but it was one of the veteran sounds that won," she recalled. "They won because they played music from all eras of the culture. They played the Dennis Browns, the Gregory Isaacs, and so on, and that was what the people enjoyed, so the younger generation needs to understand that in order to establish themselves among the best and keep the legacy going, they have to be knowledgeable about the music, and that means understanding that music didn't start yesterday because the songs from the '60s, '70s cannot die."
Dwayne Walford, booking agent for veteran sound system Bass Odyssey, agrees with Ifrica to some extent. Walford believes that while it is important for selectors and sound system operators today to understand the history, they have to also chart their own course.
"With the way things have been evolving, it's hard for the youth nowadays to do things exactly like it used to be done back in the day," he said. "The established sound systems that you know about didn't earn their names overnight. It took time. So while I agree that they should learn as much as they can about the music and the sound system culture, they should also make a name for themselves in their own way."
Walford also said that the Noise Abatement Act also contributes to the disappearance of sound systems from street parties.
"Nobody is booking a sound to play at their events anymore. They rather get a man with two speaker box and a laptop because that makes more sense economically, especially when the party a guh lock of at 2 a.m. and the people them start coming at 1 a.m.," he said.
He also believes that these men with their laptops and speaker boxes are also the ones contributing to the downward spiral of the sound system culture as they do not represent what is authentic about the culture.
"Well, they call themselves sound system operators, but they are really solo disc jockeys. A sound system is when you have speaker boxes 'stock and pile' and when you turn it on and the bass makes your entire body jump. That is an authentic sound system, and that is what we need to preserve," said Walford.
For veteran sound system selector A-One of King Addies Sound (responsible for giving the likes of Tony Matterhorn his break in music), he says the sound system culture is revolutionising, not dying.
DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
"Sound system culture can be broken up into a few different categories. First category would be the physical sound (speaker boxes, sound truck). This has definitely lost steam compared to the earlier era of sound system, in my opinion, because of the full-powered systems used to play in the dancehall. This change by itself took away jobs for many (box boy, truck driver, etc). Sound systems are mainly used today in lawns and road-side parties. Here in the US (where he is now based), there has been a shift where persons have regained interest in having a sound system again. Within the past four years, there have been many physical sound system clashes at which the attendance has grown in numbers," he said.
The second category he identifies as 'sound clashes'.
"Again, within the past five years, DJs and sound systems have regained interest in voicing dubplates to 'brag' about their sound. The reason I believe clashing went quiet for a while could have been because the new generation of artistes were on the rise. Older artistes were no longer putting out music to the standard we were used to. Some even went as far as saying, 'Reggae music is dying'. But once the new generation of artistes got the respect of the people and they made hits, this also sparked a new interest in sound systems for the new-generation youths. Today, we have Guinness clash and many other tournaments, which is also helping keep the culture alive."
A-One says, "Being a part of one of the biggest sound systems in the world - King Addies - we have also contributed to keeping the culture alive in the US by continually cutting dubplates and keeping our own events. This includes bringing Reggae artistes and sound systems from around the world to give that vibe in New York."
entertainment@gleanerjm.com
Jamaica's sound system culture dying or evolving? - Industry insiders say things aren't what they used to be
Today Is National Afro-Argentine and African Culture Day
November 8th marks Argentina's national holiday celebrating the presence and contributions of Afro-Argentines.
By Colleen Fitzgerald - Nov 8, 2016 at 11:50
afroeurope.blogspot.com.ar
The world may have its eyes on the election taking place in the north, but November 8th has a different significance in Argentina — The Day of Afro-Argentines and African culture, thanks to a relentless fight to establish law 26.852.
Identity politics is a tricky subject for many, and despite running the risk of sounding like we are getting semantic, it’s important to clear up the working definition of a few things. Afro-Argentines are part of the African Diaspora, an all encompassing term that includes anyone, regardless of nationality, whose ancestors are from Africa. Afroargentino refers to people of African descent who are Argentine citizens, ranging from those whose ancestors were slaves brought directly to Argentina, those whose family have been here for a few generations, and those who are first generation Argentine and citizens. This term is important because there is a general misconception that anyone who appears to be part of the African diaspora can’t be from Argentina, and are either recent immigrants from a country in Africa or from neighboring Brazil.
Then there are recent African immigrants, who move directly from the continent of Africa to Argentina with a large population coming from Senegal. This difference matters, not only to the people whose history it reflects, but also is necessary if a productive discussion on race in Argentina is going to take place. One that goes beyond saying “Argentina doesn’t have Black people”. Because it most certainly does.
The Organizing Commission for the National day of Afro-Argentines and local community members planned several days of activities in collaboration with various embassies, non-governmental organizations, and national government committees. These activities create a space for the visibility of diverse practices and manifestations of African culture, while educating people on relevance it has in Argentina’s past, present, and future.
Tuesday through Saturday are filled with chances to join in on the discussion of current issues facing Afro-Argentine and African Diasporic communities, as well as to celebrate their achievements and culture. The opening event on Tuesday takes place at Salón San Martín in the Buenos Aires legislation building (Perú 160) at 6pm. There will be opening remarks from the organizing team of the week, round table discussion on the political advances made by the community, and a few artistic performances. Wednesday through Friday feature various round table discussions tackling topics like the visibility of Afro-histories within schools, decolonized feminism, the youth population as protagonists, and legacy, history, and memory within African Diasporic culture.
The program concludes on Saturday with the Quilombo Festival. This event is described as a “mega-artistic and musical celebration” with artisan goods, traditional foods, live performances, a fashion show of traditional and contemporary styles, and a candombe procession. The festival takes place in Parque Lezama in San Telmo from 12pm to midnight, and the full schedule of events can be seen on their Facebook page.
Today Is National Afro-Argentine and African Culture Day
November 8th marks Argentina's national holiday celebrating the presence and contributions of Afro-Argentines.
By Colleen Fitzgerald - Nov 8, 2016 at 11:50
afroeurope.blogspot.com.ar
The world may have its eyes on the election taking place in the north, but November 8th has a different significance in Argentina — The Day of Afro-Argentines and African culture, thanks to a relentless fight to establish law 26.852.
Identity politics is a tricky subject for many, and despite running the risk of sounding like we are getting semantic, it’s important to clear up the working definition of a few things. Afro-Argentines are part of the African Diaspora, an all encompassing term that includes anyone, regardless of nationality, whose ancestors are from Africa. Afroargentino refers to people of African descent who are Argentine citizens, ranging from those whose ancestors were slaves brought directly to Argentina, those whose family have been here for a few generations, and those who are first generation Argentine and citizens. This term is important because there is a general misconception that anyone who appears to be part of the African diaspora can’t be from Argentina, and are either recent immigrants from a country in Africa or from neighboring Brazil.
Then there are recent African immigrants, who move directly from the continent of Africa to Argentina with a large population coming from Senegal. This difference matters, not only to the people whose history it reflects, but also is necessary if a productive discussion on race in Argentina is going to take place. One that goes beyond saying “Argentina doesn’t have Black people”. Because it most certainly does.
The Organizing Commission for the National day of Afro-Argentines and local community members planned several days of activities in collaboration with various embassies, non-governmental organizations, and national government committees. These activities create a space for the visibility of diverse practices and manifestations of African culture, while educating people on relevance it has in Argentina’s past, present, and future.
Tuesday through Saturday are filled with chances to join in on the discussion of current issues facing Afro-Argentine and African Diasporic communities, as well as to celebrate their achievements and culture. The opening event on Tuesday takes place at Salón San Martín in the Buenos Aires legislation building (Perú 160) at 6pm. There will be opening remarks from the organizing team of the week, round table discussion on the political advances made by the community, and a few artistic performances. Wednesday through Friday feature various round table discussions tackling topics like the visibility of Afro-histories within schools, decolonized feminism, the youth population as protagonists, and legacy, history, and memory within African Diasporic culture.
The program concludes on Saturday with the Quilombo Festival. This event is described as a “mega-artistic and musical celebration” with artisan goods, traditional foods, live performances, a fashion show of traditional and contemporary styles, and a candombe procession. The festival takes place in Parque Lezama in San Telmo from 12pm to midnight, and the full schedule of events can be seen on their Facebook page.
Today Is National Afro-Argentine and African Culture Day
Aruba Commits to 100 Percent Renewables
By Diana Madson
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
High electricity costs make the switch to wind and solar a priority.
While many nations are taking steps toward energy independence, Aruba is diving in.
The Vader Piet wind farm in Aruba. Photo courtesy of Justin Locke.
In 2012, the small island nation pledged to transition to 100 percent renewable energy within eight years.
Justin Locke is director of the island energy program at the Carbon War Room, an international nonprofit. He says it makes sense for islands to switch to clean power.
Locke: “Islands currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the world. At the same time, they also have some of the best renewable energy resources.”
Aruba’s plan includes building new solar and wind farms, converting waste to energy, and working to increase energy efficiency.
The country is also pursuing creative new strategies to reduce power demands. For example, the utility company is working to provide air conditioning using ice that is produced at night when electricity costs are lower.
Locke: “Islands provide an incredible blueprint, or guiding light, for what a renewable economy could look like from a technical, financial, and regulatory perspective, because they are actually moving in that direction now.”
Today, Aruba gets nearly 40 percent of its energy from clean power and intends to reach 100 percent in several years.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ChavoBart Digital Media.
Aruba commits to 100 percent renewables
By Diana Madson
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
High electricity costs make the switch to wind and solar a priority.
While many nations are taking steps toward energy independence, Aruba is diving in.
The Vader Piet wind farm in Aruba. Photo courtesy of Justin Locke.
In 2012, the small island nation pledged to transition to 100 percent renewable energy within eight years.
Justin Locke is director of the island energy program at the Carbon War Room, an international nonprofit. He says it makes sense for islands to switch to clean power.
Locke: “Islands currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the world. At the same time, they also have some of the best renewable energy resources.”
Aruba’s plan includes building new solar and wind farms, converting waste to energy, and working to increase energy efficiency.
The country is also pursuing creative new strategies to reduce power demands. For example, the utility company is working to provide air conditioning using ice that is produced at night when electricity costs are lower.
Locke: “Islands provide an incredible blueprint, or guiding light, for what a renewable economy could look like from a technical, financial, and regulatory perspective, because they are actually moving in that direction now.”
Today, Aruba gets nearly 40 percent of its energy from clean power and intends to reach 100 percent in several years.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ChavoBart Digital Media.
Aruba commits to 100 percent renewables
This was supposed to happen years agoAruba Commits to 100 Percent Renewables
By Diana Madson
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
High electricity costs make the switch to wind and solar a priority.
While many nations are taking steps toward energy independence, Aruba is diving in.
The Vader Piet wind farm in Aruba. Photo courtesy of Justin Locke.
In 2012, the small island nation pledged to transition to 100 percent renewable energy within eight years.
Justin Locke is director of the island energy program at the Carbon War Room, an international nonprofit. He says it makes sense for islands to switch to clean power.
Locke: “Islands currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the world. At the same time, they also have some of the best renewable energy resources.”
Aruba’s plan includes building new solar and wind farms, converting waste to energy, and working to increase energy efficiency.
The country is also pursuing creative new strategies to reduce power demands. For example, the utility company is working to provide air conditioning using ice that is produced at night when electricity costs are lower.
Locke: “Islands provide an incredible blueprint, or guiding light, for what a renewable economy could look like from a technical, financial, and regulatory perspective, because they are actually moving in that direction now.”
Today, Aruba gets nearly 40 percent of its energy from clean power and intends to reach 100 percent in several years.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ChavoBart Digital Media.
Aruba commits to 100 percent renewables
Jamaica records Over 5% increase in visitor arrivals and earnings
Vicky Karantzavelou / 10 Nov 2016 09:14
WTM LONDON 2016 - LONDON - REPORT: The latest figures from the Jamaica Tourist Board indicate that for the period January to September 2016, total arrivals, both stopover and cruise, increased by 5.4 per cent, with 2,876,220 recorded visitors when compared to the same period last year.
WTM LONDON 2016 - LONDON - REPORT: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, disclosed that Jamaica’s tourism sector has registered an increase of over 5 per cent in both visitor arrivals and gross foreign exchange earnings for the first nine months of 2016.
Speaking from the World Travel Market in London, the Minister said that “the latest figures from the Jamaica Tourist Board indicate that for the period January to September 2016, total arrivals, both stopover and cruise, increased by 5.4 per cent, with 2,876,220 recorded visitors when compared to the same period last year.”
The United States market contributed to the bulk of the growth, up 7.6 per cent numbering 75,193 additional visitors over the same period last year. However, it was the increase from Canada that the Minister was most pleased with, noting arrivals from that country are now up by 7.2 per cent, numbering 17,732 additional visitors over the same period last year. This is in stark contrast to the 6.8 per cent decline in arrivals from Canada last year and a further 9.8 per cent decline from that market during the period of January to June of this year.
“In my first stint as Minister of Tourism, we grew the Canadian market by 100 per cent. We started with some 163,000 visitors from Canada and when our term ended we recorded approximately 370,000 visitors. However, over the years there was a noticeable decline. So, we had to strengthen our marketing efforts in this important market and I am pleased to announce that it has produced positive results,” Minister Bartlett emphasized.
He noted that increase in arrivals has also resulted in a 5.9 per cent rise in gross foreign exchange earnings.
“I am happy to share that we recorded earnings of approximately US$1.9 billion, up from a provisional estimate of US$1.8 billion for the same period last year. This is very unique, as it is rare for earnings to be higher than the arrival figures,” the Minister added.
The Minister, who is accompanied by the Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), John Lynch, and the Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, has been meeting with key stakeholders and members of the Diaspora while attending the World Travel Market, which runs from November 7-9, 2016.
Jamaica records Over 5% increase in visitor arrivals and earnings
Vicky Karantzavelou / 10 Nov 2016 09:14
WTM LONDON 2016 - LONDON - REPORT: The latest figures from the Jamaica Tourist Board indicate that for the period January to September 2016, total arrivals, both stopover and cruise, increased by 5.4 per cent, with 2,876,220 recorded visitors when compared to the same period last year.
WTM LONDON 2016 - LONDON - REPORT: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, disclosed that Jamaica’s tourism sector has registered an increase of over 5 per cent in both visitor arrivals and gross foreign exchange earnings for the first nine months of 2016.
Speaking from the World Travel Market in London, the Minister said that “the latest figures from the Jamaica Tourist Board indicate that for the period January to September 2016, total arrivals, both stopover and cruise, increased by 5.4 per cent, with 2,876,220 recorded visitors when compared to the same period last year.”
The United States market contributed to the bulk of the growth, up 7.6 per cent numbering 75,193 additional visitors over the same period last year. However, it was the increase from Canada that the Minister was most pleased with, noting arrivals from that country are now up by 7.2 per cent, numbering 17,732 additional visitors over the same period last year. This is in stark contrast to the 6.8 per cent decline in arrivals from Canada last year and a further 9.8 per cent decline from that market during the period of January to June of this year.
“In my first stint as Minister of Tourism, we grew the Canadian market by 100 per cent. We started with some 163,000 visitors from Canada and when our term ended we recorded approximately 370,000 visitors. However, over the years there was a noticeable decline. So, we had to strengthen our marketing efforts in this important market and I am pleased to announce that it has produced positive results,” Minister Bartlett emphasized.
He noted that increase in arrivals has also resulted in a 5.9 per cent rise in gross foreign exchange earnings.
“I am happy to share that we recorded earnings of approximately US$1.9 billion, up from a provisional estimate of US$1.8 billion for the same period last year. This is very unique, as it is rare for earnings to be higher than the arrival figures,” the Minister added.
The Minister, who is accompanied by the Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), John Lynch, and the Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, has been meeting with key stakeholders and members of the Diaspora while attending the World Travel Market, which runs from November 7-9, 2016.
Jamaica records Over 5% increase in visitor arrivals and earnings
The last king of the Americas
Julio Pinedo, a descendant of slaves, has been the symbolic monarch of Afro-Bolivians since 1992
ANDRES RODRÍGUEZ
La Paz 11 NOV 2016 - 09:24 BRST
Afro-Bolivian King Julio Pinedo greets his followers. / REUTERS
It is eight in the morning. The sun’s rays are unable to pierce the thick fog covering the green slopes, ravines, rivers, waterfalls and lush vegetation surrounding Mururata, in the region of Los Yungas, northwest of the Bolivian capital of La Paz.
It is here, far away from the tribulations of the capital, that Julio Pinedo rules as the king of the Afro-Bolivians.
Pinedo is the recognized descendant of a Congolese monarch who was brought to Bolivia as a slave by the Spaniards in 1820.
His house is 50 meters away from Mururata’s main square. He lives there with his wife Angélica Larrea —the Afro-Bolivian queen— and their son Rolando, the crown prince.
The ground floor of their home also doubles as a grocery store that sells bananas, canned sardines, oil and soft drinks.
Pinedo, 74, has worked in agriculture all his life. He wears neither a crown nor a cape in his everyday life – those adornments are reserved for special occasions.
These days, the king is busy building social housing near his own home as part of a state program. He works Mondays through Saturdays from 8am to 6pm, and he is already late for work today.
Sitting at the table, he pushes aside a cup of coffee and a slice of bread that were going to be his breakfast, and grants the reporter a few minutes of his time.
“King Bonifacio was my grandfather. Our ancestors were brought here to work in the mines of Potosí [in southwest Bolivia]. Later, they were brought to the area of Los Yungas, where they got sold to the hacienda owners,” he explains.
His ancestor was Prince Uchicho, of the Kongo people. He arrived in Bolivia around 1820 as part of one of the last shipments of slaves to the Latin American country.
Uchicho ended up working at the estate of the Marquis of Pinedo, whose name he adopted. He was crowned in 1832 and was succeeded by Bonifaz, then by José and Bonifacio, who was crowned in 1932.
Bolivia’s indigenous people still face racism and discrimination. / ENRIQUE VAQUERIZO
“My grandfather was a very kind person. He loved my brother and me very much, but he was very strict,” recalls the current monarch.
But the royal lineage of the Pinedos was up in the air for many years after that. Following the death of Bonifacio in 1954, the family was unable to claim the title back until 1992, when Julio was recognized by his people.
In 2007, the government of La Paz crowned him again. And two years later, with the new Constitution, Bolivians of African descent were recognized as one of the 36 constituent ethnic groups of the Andean nation. This recognition bolstered Afro-Bolivian customs and traditions, including their own ancestral kingdom.
Julio Pinedo is recognized as a ceremonial figure, not as a political authority. He is sparing with his words, but speaks enough to express dissatisfaction with his people’s lack of organization.
“With a greater effort from everyone, I could do a better job as a representative,” he notes.
Until the National Revolution of 1952, Afro-Bolivians lived in semi-feudal conditions. After being recognized by the state, in 2012 they were included in the Census for the first time. Today, they are an estimated 26,000 people in a country of over 10 million.
“A lot of progress has been made. We Afros are being taken into account, and we are present in places where important decisions are being made,” says Ancelma Perlacios, Bolivia’s first Afro-Bolivian senator, adding that the official acknowledgment of Julio Pinedo’s roots “means a lot” to her people.
But both the senator and the king believe there is still a lot of work to do to ensure that Afro-Bolivians receive the same kind of protection from the state as other ethnic groups. In Bolivia, over 41% of the population is indigenous.
But Pinedo is pessimistic about the chances of eradicating discrimination altogether.
“Racism and discrimination are never going to disappear from Bolivia,” he says. “The mixed-ancestry people, the indigenous population and the black population – each one gets their share of it. We are always pushing one another.”
Then, the last monarch of the Americas gets up to go work at the construction site.
The last king of the Americas
Julio Pinedo, a descendant of slaves, has been the symbolic monarch of Afro-Bolivians since 1992
ANDRES RODRÍGUEZ
La Paz 11 NOV 2016 - 09:24 BRST
Afro-Bolivian King Julio Pinedo greets his followers. / REUTERS
It is eight in the morning. The sun’s rays are unable to pierce the thick fog covering the green slopes, ravines, rivers, waterfalls and lush vegetation surrounding Mururata, in the region of Los Yungas, northwest of the Bolivian capital of La Paz.
It is here, far away from the tribulations of the capital, that Julio Pinedo rules as the king of the Afro-Bolivians.
Pinedo is the recognized descendant of a Congolese monarch who was brought to Bolivia as a slave by the Spaniards in 1820.
His house is 50 meters away from Mururata’s main square. He lives there with his wife Angélica Larrea —the Afro-Bolivian queen— and their son Rolando, the crown prince.
The ground floor of their home also doubles as a grocery store that sells bananas, canned sardines, oil and soft drinks.
Pinedo, 74, has worked in agriculture all his life. He wears neither a crown nor a cape in his everyday life – those adornments are reserved for special occasions.
These days, the king is busy building social housing near his own home as part of a state program. He works Mondays through Saturdays from 8am to 6pm, and he is already late for work today.
Sitting at the table, he pushes aside a cup of coffee and a slice of bread that were going to be his breakfast, and grants the reporter a few minutes of his time.
“King Bonifacio was my grandfather. Our ancestors were brought here to work in the mines of Potosí [in southwest Bolivia]. Later, they were brought to the area of Los Yungas, where they got sold to the hacienda owners,” he explains.
His ancestor was Prince Uchicho, of the Kongo people. He arrived in Bolivia around 1820 as part of one of the last shipments of slaves to the Latin American country.
Uchicho ended up working at the estate of the Marquis of Pinedo, whose name he adopted. He was crowned in 1832 and was succeeded by Bonifaz, then by José and Bonifacio, who was crowned in 1932.
Bolivia’s indigenous people still face racism and discrimination. / ENRIQUE VAQUERIZO
“My grandfather was a very kind person. He loved my brother and me very much, but he was very strict,” recalls the current monarch.
But the royal lineage of the Pinedos was up in the air for many years after that. Following the death of Bonifacio in 1954, the family was unable to claim the title back until 1992, when Julio was recognized by his people.
In 2007, the government of La Paz crowned him again. And two years later, with the new Constitution, Bolivians of African descent were recognized as one of the 36 constituent ethnic groups of the Andean nation. This recognition bolstered Afro-Bolivian customs and traditions, including their own ancestral kingdom.
Julio Pinedo is recognized as a ceremonial figure, not as a political authority. He is sparing with his words, but speaks enough to express dissatisfaction with his people’s lack of organization.
“With a greater effort from everyone, I could do a better job as a representative,” he notes.
Until the National Revolution of 1952, Afro-Bolivians lived in semi-feudal conditions. After being recognized by the state, in 2012 they were included in the Census for the first time. Today, they are an estimated 26,000 people in a country of over 10 million.
“A lot of progress has been made. We Afros are being taken into account, and we are present in places where important decisions are being made,” says Ancelma Perlacios, Bolivia’s first Afro-Bolivian senator, adding that the official acknowledgment of Julio Pinedo’s roots “means a lot” to her people.
But both the senator and the king believe there is still a lot of work to do to ensure that Afro-Bolivians receive the same kind of protection from the state as other ethnic groups. In Bolivia, over 41% of the population is indigenous.
But Pinedo is pessimistic about the chances of eradicating discrimination altogether.
“Racism and discrimination are never going to disappear from Bolivia,” he says. “The mixed-ancestry people, the indigenous population and the black population – each one gets their share of it. We are always pushing one another.”
Then, the last monarch of the Americas gets up to go work at the construction site.
The last king of the Americas
Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, films video for his song “Black Woman” with cast of Afro-Brazilian women in Rio and Porto Alegre
Note from BW of Brazil: In a post from November of 2013, BW of Brazil presented an article about an homage to the late, great Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti. The Afro Brasil Museum in São Paulo presented an exhibition featured the album cover art of some of the musicians greatest albums. The homage demonstrated how the musician’s following and influence has grown over the past decade or so within the Afro-Brazilian community. Add to this the fact that a percentage of the Africans brought to Brazil during the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade were of Nigerian origin and the fact that some Brazilians in the state of Bahia still speak the Yoruba language and practitioners of Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé worship the Yoruba orixá (deity) to which they sing and make incantations in Yoruba during worship sessions and one could say that there is a spiritual connection between Nigeria and Black Brazil.
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – “Black Woman”
With this is in mind, when Fela’s son Seun, also a musician, decided to record the video for his song “Black Woman” in Brazil, it could be seen as a sort of re-connection. Although the video came out back in February of this year, its theme and images are a perfect feature for a blog dedicated to giving more exposure to black Brazilian women. The recording of Kuti’s video and the cast selected to present black women can’t truly be appreciated unless one is familiar with the type of women who are usually cast as leads and extras in Brazilian Popular Music videos. In fact, just last month this blog asked the question, “Why do the vast majority of funk music videos by male singers overwhelmingly feature white and light-skinned mestiça women in lead and background roles?” In this day and age when Afro-Brazilians are demanding more representation in so many areas of Brazilian society, it’s a shame that it takes an artist to come all the way from Africa to present the beauty of Afro-Brazilian women in a music video. But the sad fact is, the long-time Bahian bloco afro Ilê Aiyê is perhaps the only musical entity in Brazil who consistently make an issue of emphasizing black beauty. As ridiculous as it may sound, I can actually imagine that there are folks out there who would criticize the Kuti video as being racist for featuring all black women; after all, the norm for the standard of feminine beauty in Brazil is clearly the white woman.
For this reason, Seun Kuti must be acknowledged and given his proper accolades for insisting on allowing black Brazilian beauty to shine through in his video (all images of black women in this post are taken from the Kuti video). With the recent debut of the Nigerian produced Bino and Fino cartoon that has been overdubbed in Portuguese for a Brazilian market lacking black characters in children’s cartoons, perhaps this Nigerian/Brazilian connection is one worth exploring further in the future!
Seun Kuti, son Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, releases video in partnership with Brazilian team
“Black Woman” was filmed on location in Brazil and celebrates the strength of black women
Seun Kuti recently released the video for the song “Black Woman”, through a Brazil-Nigeria partnership. In the cast of the video, there are dancers, athletes, educators, musicians, Paraolympic athletes, actresses and activists.
Son of Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti recorded the video for his song “Black Woman” on location in two Brazilian cities
“Black Woman” celebrates the strength of mulheres negras (black women), dealing with the overcoming of suffering and aggression of the day to day. Pedro Rajão was responsible for directing the clip alongside Micael Hocherman and Wagner Novais.
Youngest son of the Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti, Seun is the leader of the band Egypt 80, originally formed by his father. The Nigerian musician took over the group after the death of Fela in 1997, when he was only 14 years old.
Recorded on location in the Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro, and in Nigeria, the clip is a tribute to black women, representing the strength, endurance and at the same time the capacity to move and transform the world with love and beauty.
The filming includes the artistic presence of the group Balé Das Yiabas, with Ana Flávia, Ludmilla Almeida and Sinara Rúbia. Its mission is to contribute to the strengthening and empowerment of black women, understanding their protagonism.
At the end of the song, Seun cites names of women who influenced him as an artist and activist, such as Olufunmilayo Anikulapo (his grandmother), Maya Angelou (American poet, writer and activist), Angela Davis (American philosopher and militant of the Black Panthers), Zeina Badawi (Sudanese journalist and activist), Rainha (Queen) Amina (notable Nigerian queen of the XV century) and Nina Simone (American musician and activist). Most of them were represented in graffiti homages in the background of the locations.
Below, the director of the clip, Pedro Rajão, remembers the creation of the video.
“I had the pleasure and responsibility of idealizing the project. Soon after I invited Michael Hocherman, the photographer who traveled with me to Nigeria and who most filmed for the documentary Anikulapo. So that the equipment used was the best possible, we allied with the Cadenza Filmes and Maraberto Filmes and invited Wagner Novais to add to the direction of the characters.
When he learned that Seun would come back to Brazil in 2014, I asked him if he would record a video here. As we had already worked together on other occasions, he said yes. He told me what song he wanted for the video and I fell into the pre-production and concept of the script. I invited the closest professionals, enthusiastic friends and we ventured into this independent enterprise.
In the cast of the video, there are the dancers and militants of Balé das Yiabas, in addition to Vanessa Soares, educator and dancer who for years has used Fela’s biography in her work and was recently on stage at the Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria.
Vanessa Soares dances to Fela Kuti’s “Gentleman” at the Kalakuta Museum in Lagos, Nigeria (1)
There is also a brief appearance of Selma Candeia, daughter of Candeia (2), current president of G.R.A.N.E.S. Quilombo and one of yabás of the homonymous fair of Madureira. The beautiful costumes are designed by Tenka Dara, of Baobá Brasil, who also performs in the clip.
We shot between 2014 and 2015. The first was taken in the old Augusto Pestana train station, in Porto Alegre (with Kuti and band) and then with an excellent team of black women – among dancers, teachers, musicians, Paralympic athletes, actresses and activists – in two other locations in Rio de Janeiro, one of them, the Jacarezinho favela.
Seun’s only request was that we include his daughter in the filming. A few months after coming to Brazil, a photographer friend who lives in Berlin (Felipe Levy) flew to Paris and met with Seun, Adhara (his daughter) and her mother, the background vocalist and Egypt 80 dancer, Yetunde Ademiluyi to register the little Kuti.
Shooting in a train station abandoned since 94 and in an abandoned hotel since the 60s was quite tiring and unpredictable. The whole team worked in a spirit of cooperation and passion for the inspiring theme.
Seun and all the band members and production were very generous and demonstrated enthusiasm for the project, trusting in our partnership.
The daily recording in Jacarezinho was too warm, the whole community was curious and receptive to the team. From the march of black women through the alleys, to the location of Edgar’s bar, up to the dance on the train tracks at sundown.
‘Black Woman’ was recorded in the largest black country outside Africa during the previous Marcha Nacional das Mulheres Negras (National March of Black Women) in Brasília. It is a tribute, an exaltation of the power and majesty of the many mulheres negras (black women) fruits of the African Diaspora around the world. A small reverence in the midst of brutalization and hyper-sexualization of the female body, the victims of Boko Haram, the Claudias brutally murdered by PMERJ (State Military Police of Rio de Janeiro), mothers and widows of Black Live Matters.
All brightness to black women in the world.”
Pedro Rajão: Director, creator and producer of the clip, director of the documentary ‘Anikulapo’
Credits
Cast: Balé Das Yiabas, Ana Flávia, Ludmilla Almeida e Sinara Rúbia}, Aline Valentim, Eder Francisco de Souza, Edgar Caldas Lima, Isabel Martins, Isabel Zua, Julyana Cristina, Josy Kelly, Le Kita, Lucas Nascimento Santos, Marcelo do Patrocínio, Marta Oliveira, Nay Mahim, Pedro Rajão, Samille Possidonio, Selma Candeia, Suzana Barbosa, Tenka Dara, Thauany Furtado, Thiago Reis Cavalcante, Vanessa Soares
Directors: Micael Hocherman, Pedro Rajão, Wagner Novais
Idealization: Pedro Rajão
Director of Photography: Micael Hocherman
Editing: André Tertuliano
Finalization: Bernardo Neder
Executive Producers: Micael Hocherman, Pedro Rajão
Local production: Elcimar Pereira, Josy Kelly, Rafael Rubim
Art direction: Érick Citron, Micael Hocherman, NAVIU (Nando Pontes and Rafael Bandeira)
Graffiti: Érick Citron, NAVIU (Nando Pontes and Rafael Bandeira)
Cameras: Breno Soares, Felipe Drehmer, Filipe Tomassini, Fernando Teixeira, Micael Hocherman
1st Camera Assistant: Filipe Tomassini, Lucas Cunha, Rodrigo Savastano
2nd Camera Assistant: Claudio Gustavo, Thiago Vasques
Gaffer: Marx Franzen
Electric: Lucas Noleto, Hugo Leo Ribeiro, Marcell Carrasco, Marx Franzen
Costumes: Baobá Brasil
Make up: Leilane Morsch, Marta Oliveira
Still Photography: Stephane Goanna
Cathering: Dhalia Rajão, Kátia Guimarães
Transport: Antonio Pessoa, Fernando
Making Of: Paul Rhasta
Audiovisual production: Cadenza Filmes, Maraberto Filmes
Co-production: Voodoo, Odun Filmes, Groove Cultural
Aerial Images: Libélula Produções
Support: Eduardo Guspe – Duque Galo 250, Produtora Jacaré É Moda, Associação dos Moradores do Jacarezinho
Source: Moozyca, Geledés
Notes
Note from BW of Brazil: In a post from November of 2013, BW of Brazil presented an article about an homage to the late, great Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti. The Afro Brasil Museum in São Paulo presented an exhibition featured the album cover art of some of the musicians greatest albums. The homage demonstrated how the musician’s following and influence has grown over the past decade or so within the Afro-Brazilian community. Add to this the fact that a percentage of the Africans brought to Brazil during the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade were of Nigerian origin and the fact that some Brazilians in the state of Bahia still speak the Yoruba language and practitioners of Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé worship the Yoruba orixá (deity) to which they sing and make incantations in Yoruba during worship sessions and one could say that there is a spiritual connection between Nigeria and Black Brazil.
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – “Black Woman”
With this is in mind, when Fela’s son Seun, also a musician, decided to record the video for his song “Black Woman” in Brazil, it could be seen as a sort of re-connection. Although the video came out back in February of this year, its theme and images are a perfect feature for a blog dedicated to giving more exposure to black Brazilian women. The recording of Kuti’s video and the cast selected to present black women can’t truly be appreciated unless one is familiar with the type of women who are usually cast as leads and extras in Brazilian Popular Music videos. In fact, just last month this blog asked the question, “Why do the vast majority of funk music videos by male singers overwhelmingly feature white and light-skinned mestiça women in lead and background roles?” In this day and age when Afro-Brazilians are demanding more representation in so many areas of Brazilian society, it’s a shame that it takes an artist to come all the way from Africa to present the beauty of Afro-Brazilian women in a music video. But the sad fact is, the long-time Bahian bloco afro Ilê Aiyê is perhaps the only musical entity in Brazil who consistently make an issue of emphasizing black beauty. As ridiculous as it may sound, I can actually imagine that there are folks out there who would criticize the Kuti video as being racist for featuring all black women; after all, the norm for the standard of feminine beauty in Brazil is clearly the white woman.
For this reason, Seun Kuti must be acknowledged and given his proper accolades for insisting on allowing black Brazilian beauty to shine through in his video (all images of black women in this post are taken from the Kuti video). With the recent debut of the Nigerian produced Bino and Fino cartoon that has been overdubbed in Portuguese for a Brazilian market lacking black characters in children’s cartoons, perhaps this Nigerian/Brazilian connection is one worth exploring further in the future!
Seun Kuti, son Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, releases video in partnership with Brazilian team
“Black Woman” was filmed on location in Brazil and celebrates the strength of black women
Seun Kuti recently released the video for the song “Black Woman”, through a Brazil-Nigeria partnership. In the cast of the video, there are dancers, athletes, educators, musicians, Paraolympic athletes, actresses and activists.
Son of Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti recorded the video for his song “Black Woman” on location in two Brazilian cities
“Black Woman” celebrates the strength of mulheres negras (black women), dealing with the overcoming of suffering and aggression of the day to day. Pedro Rajão was responsible for directing the clip alongside Micael Hocherman and Wagner Novais.
Youngest son of the Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti, Seun is the leader of the band Egypt 80, originally formed by his father. The Nigerian musician took over the group after the death of Fela in 1997, when he was only 14 years old.
Recorded on location in the Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro, and in Nigeria, the clip is a tribute to black women, representing the strength, endurance and at the same time the capacity to move and transform the world with love and beauty.
The filming includes the artistic presence of the group Balé Das Yiabas, with Ana Flávia, Ludmilla Almeida and Sinara Rúbia. Its mission is to contribute to the strengthening and empowerment of black women, understanding their protagonism.
At the end of the song, Seun cites names of women who influenced him as an artist and activist, such as Olufunmilayo Anikulapo (his grandmother), Maya Angelou (American poet, writer and activist), Angela Davis (American philosopher and militant of the Black Panthers), Zeina Badawi (Sudanese journalist and activist), Rainha (Queen) Amina (notable Nigerian queen of the XV century) and Nina Simone (American musician and activist). Most of them were represented in graffiti homages in the background of the locations.
Below, the director of the clip, Pedro Rajão, remembers the creation of the video.
“I had the pleasure and responsibility of idealizing the project. Soon after I invited Michael Hocherman, the photographer who traveled with me to Nigeria and who most filmed for the documentary Anikulapo. So that the equipment used was the best possible, we allied with the Cadenza Filmes and Maraberto Filmes and invited Wagner Novais to add to the direction of the characters.
When he learned that Seun would come back to Brazil in 2014, I asked him if he would record a video here. As we had already worked together on other occasions, he said yes. He told me what song he wanted for the video and I fell into the pre-production and concept of the script. I invited the closest professionals, enthusiastic friends and we ventured into this independent enterprise.
In the cast of the video, there are the dancers and militants of Balé das Yiabas, in addition to Vanessa Soares, educator and dancer who for years has used Fela’s biography in her work and was recently on stage at the Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria.
Vanessa Soares dances to Fela Kuti’s “Gentleman” at the Kalakuta Museum in Lagos, Nigeria (1)
There is also a brief appearance of Selma Candeia, daughter of Candeia (2), current president of G.R.A.N.E.S. Quilombo and one of yabás of the homonymous fair of Madureira. The beautiful costumes are designed by Tenka Dara, of Baobá Brasil, who also performs in the clip.
We shot between 2014 and 2015. The first was taken in the old Augusto Pestana train station, in Porto Alegre (with Kuti and band) and then with an excellent team of black women – among dancers, teachers, musicians, Paralympic athletes, actresses and activists – in two other locations in Rio de Janeiro, one of them, the Jacarezinho favela.
Seun’s only request was that we include his daughter in the filming. A few months after coming to Brazil, a photographer friend who lives in Berlin (Felipe Levy) flew to Paris and met with Seun, Adhara (his daughter) and her mother, the background vocalist and Egypt 80 dancer, Yetunde Ademiluyi to register the little Kuti.
Shooting in a train station abandoned since 94 and in an abandoned hotel since the 60s was quite tiring and unpredictable. The whole team worked in a spirit of cooperation and passion for the inspiring theme.
Seun and all the band members and production were very generous and demonstrated enthusiasm for the project, trusting in our partnership.
The daily recording in Jacarezinho was too warm, the whole community was curious and receptive to the team. From the march of black women through the alleys, to the location of Edgar’s bar, up to the dance on the train tracks at sundown.
‘Black Woman’ was recorded in the largest black country outside Africa during the previous Marcha Nacional das Mulheres Negras (National March of Black Women) in Brasília. It is a tribute, an exaltation of the power and majesty of the many mulheres negras (black women) fruits of the African Diaspora around the world. A small reverence in the midst of brutalization and hyper-sexualization of the female body, the victims of Boko Haram, the Claudias brutally murdered by PMERJ (State Military Police of Rio de Janeiro), mothers and widows of Black Live Matters.
All brightness to black women in the world.”
Pedro Rajão: Director, creator and producer of the clip, director of the documentary ‘Anikulapo’
Credits
Cast: Balé Das Yiabas, Ana Flávia, Ludmilla Almeida e Sinara Rúbia}, Aline Valentim, Eder Francisco de Souza, Edgar Caldas Lima, Isabel Martins, Isabel Zua, Julyana Cristina, Josy Kelly, Le Kita, Lucas Nascimento Santos, Marcelo do Patrocínio, Marta Oliveira, Nay Mahim, Pedro Rajão, Samille Possidonio, Selma Candeia, Suzana Barbosa, Tenka Dara, Thauany Furtado, Thiago Reis Cavalcante, Vanessa Soares
Directors: Micael Hocherman, Pedro Rajão, Wagner Novais
Idealization: Pedro Rajão
Director of Photography: Micael Hocherman
Editing: André Tertuliano
Finalization: Bernardo Neder
Executive Producers: Micael Hocherman, Pedro Rajão
Local production: Elcimar Pereira, Josy Kelly, Rafael Rubim
Art direction: Érick Citron, Micael Hocherman, NAVIU (Nando Pontes and Rafael Bandeira)
Graffiti: Érick Citron, NAVIU (Nando Pontes and Rafael Bandeira)
Cameras: Breno Soares, Felipe Drehmer, Filipe Tomassini, Fernando Teixeira, Micael Hocherman
1st Camera Assistant: Filipe Tomassini, Lucas Cunha, Rodrigo Savastano
2nd Camera Assistant: Claudio Gustavo, Thiago Vasques
Gaffer: Marx Franzen
Electric: Lucas Noleto, Hugo Leo Ribeiro, Marcell Carrasco, Marx Franzen
Costumes: Baobá Brasil
Make up: Leilane Morsch, Marta Oliveira
Still Photography: Stephane Goanna
Cathering: Dhalia Rajão, Kátia Guimarães
Transport: Antonio Pessoa, Fernando
Making Of: Paul Rhasta
Audiovisual production: Cadenza Filmes, Maraberto Filmes
Co-production: Voodoo, Odun Filmes, Groove Cultural
Aerial Images: Libélula Produções
Support: Eduardo Guspe – Duque Galo 250, Produtora Jacaré É Moda, Associação dos Moradores do Jacarezinho
Source: Moozyca, Geledés
Notes
- In 2015, Brazilian dancer/producer Vanessa Soares made her first trip to Mãe África (Mama Africa) where she stayed 27 days in Lagos, Nigeria. In the above video, Soares dances to Kuti’s 1973 classic “Gentleman” at the Kalakuta Museum which is dedicated to the life and times of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and located at his former residence, the Kalakuta Republic, and where he is laid to rest at Gbemisola Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. The museum was renovated by the Lagos State Government and driven by the Kuti family’s steadfast efforts to promote Fela’s music, and legacy in Nigeria.
- Antônio Candeia Filho, better known as Candeia (Rio de Janeiro, August 17, 1935 – Rio de Janeiro, November 16, 1978), was a Brazilian samba singer and songwriter and a very important figure in the exaltation of negritude. Source