Tuesday 11th March 2014
After 16 years of absence I’m heeding the call of the ancestors and going to re-connect with Jamaica.
This is a direct response to the family constellation event I attended in June last year. I’m going to be blogging under the category of Jamaica 2014.
Born 1865 Pic. Courtesy: http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com
The Great Lady Abomah, how amazing you are!
Your height, highly intimidating
Your strength, awesome!
Amazon warrior, tell me, how many trembled at your sight?
How many looked in awe?
How many men cowered in your presence?
I am amazed at your beauty, rare and unique
How many of you are there? Few I know if any
Special you are, different from others
How did it feel? Walking amongst shorter people?
Were you scared of crushing them? Making you extra careful
Extra sensitive, extra loving and extra warm
The Great Lady of Abomah, how amazing you are!
Ella Williams aka Mme Abomah
Lady Abomah in London 1913 – 1914; standing 7ft. and 6 inches.
Having looked for and not found a shamanic group in Birmingham, I decided to start one. We’ve had one meeting so far with voice, drums and journeying. It was very healing.
There were 3 of us. Our next meeting on February 25th will have a 25% increase in participants. Yes, there will be 4 of us.
The format is that I do a little teaching session on the principles of shamanism followed by the experiential work. Last time I looked at the place and purpose of ritual.
From small acorns great oaks grow. Watch this space. Let me know if you’re interested in joining us.
On Wednesday I braved the cold and wind to attend the launch of a new organisation called TickIT. It’s been set up to educate people from African Caribbean backgrounds on the important of voting. I learned that even if you don’t like anyone of the candidates you can write ‘none of the above’ on your ballot paper. It shows you’re willing to participate in the process but can’t find anyone to vote for.
TickIT launch
From June of this year you will no longer be automatically registered to vote. You have to opt in. I didn’t know this. Did you?
I was also reminded that the democratic process continues whether or not I engage with it. It means fewer and fewer people are electing our politicians who represent all of us. Or rather in the case of the African Caribbean community – don’t represent us well enough.
TickIT team at the launch at One Stop Shopping Centre
After a few years absence guess who will be back in the ballot box?
Look out for a TickIT report in the Voice next week
Tuesday 31st December 2013
I’m going to join the many millions of people wondering where 365 days went. It’s been an amazing year and it’s been a pleasure to have shared some of it with you.
Christmas was perfect. Like many of you I spent it with family. As we come to the end of 2013 I want to wish you all a brilliant and fun-filled 2014.
I’m looking forward to continuing the journey with you next year. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The most exciting event of the Christmas celebrations for me so far was watching my son play saxophone with the Arabian Chisel Technicians at the Bull’s Head in Moseley Village last night.
It was worth the wait till they got on stage at 10.30 p.m. as the head line act. The crowd was with them right from the first note but my personal favourite was their rendition of Papa’s got a brand new pigbag. It began with delicious reggae overtones before the horns filled the room. The whole room moved in unison.
Can’t wait for their next gig at the Yardbird on January 10th. Check them out on Facebook. Arabian Chisel Technicians
Wednesday 18th December 2013
It’s the time of year when weekly, fortnightly and monthly groups have their last and festive meeting of the year.
At our ‘A Course in Miracles’ we met to reflect on a year of miracles, to sip on some rather delicious wine and to munch on some lovely cheeses.
One of the miracles for me is the interest this blog has generated. I appreciate every view, every comment and every helpful suggestion I’ve had.
I didn’t remember to take the pictures till after 3 people had left. Sorry guys… maybe next time. Thanks for the roses Jude.
Sunday 15th December 2013
As Nelson Mandela becomes the latest high profile ancestor on which we can call for guidance, as his body is finally reclaimed by the African soil that gave him life and sustained him through his life’s ordeals, as the world reflects on what it means to forgive, the Drum in Birmingham brought together a host of artists to pay respect to the giant of a man that’s left our physical world.
It was good to see so many people brave the damp and grey Sunday evening to join their energy to that of our departed brother. Rrefreshing too to see the multicultural nature of the performers and the span of ages.
Dr Joseph Aldred in his tribute beseeched us not to think of Nelson Mandela as the man who taught the world to forgive without thinking of the true nature of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not…
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Thursday 5th December 2013
After a marathon stint researching for the course yesterday I accepted an invitation from my friend this morning to head with him to St John’s church to feed the birds.
Of course I could also use the opportunity to say hello to the resident ancestors in the oldest graveyard on the island.
I also got an opportunity to see him at work selling his books (and mine) to visiting tourists.
Tuesday 3rd December 2013
I spent most of the day in Bridgetown, the capital city of Barbados. First I delivered a copy of Betrayed to the journalist at The Nation newspaper, the one who did such a splendid series on Dare to Love last year.
The rest of the day was spent looking for presents and taking in the city as a tourist. I lunched at Cave Sheppard on flying fish, vegetables and tamarind juice. Took in the sights from a bench in Independence Square, and had an afternoon snack of coconut water followed by the delicious succulent white flesh, better known as ‘jelly’ in these parts.
The ride home on the bus was like a disco on wheels as the reggae tunes pumped out from speakers that made my bones rattle. Not everybody’s cup of tea and it’s illegal here, but is popular enough with most passengers…
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