Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture

What does the food on your plate tell you about Caribbean history?
In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris speaks with Roger Carmichael of Uncharted Taste about the fascinating history behind Caribbean food and the many peoples, cultures, migrations and traditions that have shaped what we eat today.
Caribbean cuisine is not simply a collection of recipes. It is a record of history, migration, survival, adaptation, trade, culture and memory.
Together, Wendy and Roger explore the Indigenous, African, European, Indian, Chinese and other influences that have contributed to the diverse food traditions found throughout the Caribbean.
From ingredients and cooking techniques to recipes passed down through generations, the food we eat can reveal stories about colonialism, migration, the African diaspora, Indigenous Caribbean peoples, indentureship, trade and cultural exchange.
The episode also explores sustainability, food heritage and cultural memory, encouraging us to look more closely at the everyday foods we may take for granted.
🌴 What is the history behind Caribbean food?🍲 How did different cultures influence Caribbean cuisine?🌍 How did migration shape the foods we eat?🌱 What can food tell us about sustainability and our relationship with the land?📖 How do recipes preserve family and cultural memory?🔎 What happens when we become curious about where our food comes from?
The next time you sit down to eat, ask yourself:
Where did this dish come from?
Who grew the ingredients?
Who brought them?
Who changed the recipe?
Who passed it down?
And what history is sitting on your plate?
Join us for a conversation about Caribbean food history, cultural heritage, migration, foodways and the stories hidden within the dishes we eat.
Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast explores Caribbean history, genealogy, family history, archives, culture and the stories that deserve to be remembered.
🎙️ Guest
Roger Carmichael — Uncharted Taste
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unchartedtastes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unchartedtastestv
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unchartedtastes
TikTock: https://www.tiktok.com/@unchartedtastes
Website: https://keap.page/lfsm/uncharted-tastes.html
 
#DisAFiMiHistory #CaribbeanFood #CaribbeanFoodHistory #CaribbeanCuisine #CaribbeanHistory #CaribbeanCulture #CaribbeanHeritage #FoodHistory #FoodHeritage #CaribbeanFoodways #AfricanDiaspora #AfricanFoodways #IndigenousCaribbean #CaribbeanMigration #CulturalMemory #FoodAndCulture #JamaicanFood #CaribbeanCooking #CaribbeanStories #UnchartedTaste #HistoricalStorytelling

Season 10 of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast is here!
Join Wendy Aris, Caribbean historian, genealogist, author, and host of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, for another season exploring Caribbean history, family history, genealogy, archival research, migration, memoir, culture, and the stories that shape our understanding of the Caribbean and its people.
Season 10 explores the power of language and storytelling—how books, articles, memoirs, family stories, archives, DNA, and personal memories can help us uncover histories that are often overlooked, misunderstood, or left out of the traditional narrative.
This season takes us across the Caribbean, Scotland, Cuba, Jamaica, Canada, the United States, and the African diaspora, exploring topics including:
🔎 Caribbean genealogy and family history research📜 Archives, historical records and hidden Caribbean histories⛓️ Caribbean slavery, the British Empire and the transatlantic slave trade🌍 Migration and Caribbean diaspora stories🧬 Genetic genealogy, DNA testing and African ancestry💭 The emotional impact of researching difficult family histories✍🏾 Writing and documenting your family's history📚 Memoirs, books and using the written word to preserve memory🍲 Caribbean food, culture and the history behind what is on our plates🎥 Historical documentary and archival storytelling
We will also explore unexpected connections between Scotland and Caribbean slavery, colonial Cuba and Madrid, Jamaican and Caribbean migration to Canada, the complexities of African ancestry, and the networks that connected the Caribbean with North America, Britain and beyond.
Alongside the podcast, Wendy is also introducing Archival Griot Films, a new film project bringing Caribbean history, genealogy, archival records and ancestral stories to life through documentary filmmaking and visual storytelling. Follow along for behind-the-scenes updates, research, filming and developments from the project.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArchivalGriotFilms
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archival_griot_films/
 
This season is about more than finding names and dates.
It is about asking questions, reading between the records, understanding the history behind our families, and bringing stories that deserve to be remembered to light.
🎙️ Subscribe, follow, listen, and join the conversation.
If you enjoy the podcast, please rate, review, share and click that star—your support helps Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast reach new listeners around the world.
Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast — Caribbean history. Family history. Archives. Memory. Stories that deserve to be told.
#DisAFiMiHistory #CaribbeanHistory #CaribbeanGenealogy #BlackGenealogy #FamilyHistory #FamilyHistoryResearch #Genealogy #BlackHistory #AfricanDiaspora #CaribbeanHeritage #JamaicanHistory #CaribbeanCulture #ArchivalResearch #HistoricalResearch #GeneticGenealogy #DNA #AfricanAncestry #CaribbeanHistoryPodcast #HistoricalDocumentary #ArchivalStorytelling #CaribbeanDiaspora #MigrationStories #HiddenHistory #ArchivalGriotFilms

How far back can DNA and genealogy take you? In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, we explore the fascinating history of the Sotomayor family in Puerto Rico, tracing ancestral connections back to the late 1500s through the combination of genetic genealogy, archival research, and historical records.
Professor Antonio Sotomayor explains how Y-DNA testing, TMRCA (Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor), agnatic lineages, surname variations, and maternal ancestry can help genealogists uncover connections hidden within incomplete Caribbean records.
The conversation examines the variations between Sotomayor and Soto, as well as maternal family connections including González de la Cruz and Colón de Santiago. We also explore the challenges researchers face when parish registers and other historical records have gaps, been lost, or provide limited information.
Learn how DNA genealogy can help fill historical silences, complement traditional archival research, and provide new clues for tracing Caribbean ancestors across centuries.
Professor Sotomayor also shares practical advice for researching Puerto Rican and Caribbean genealogy, including which DNA tests may be useful, how to understand historical context, why surname research requires flexibility, and the importance of collaborating with other family historians and researchers.
Whether you're researching Puerto Rican ancestry, Caribbean genealogy, Spanish colonial history, DNA matches, or family history, this episode offers valuable strategies for breaking through genealogical brick walls and discovering connections across generations.
🎙️ Subscribe to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for conversations about Caribbean history, genealogy, DNA, archives, migration, and the stories hidden within our family trees.
BIO:
Dr. Antonio Sotomayor, Ph.D. is an associate professor, historian, and librarian specializing in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Illinois. He serves as the Librarian for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and holds faculty appointments in History and Spanish and Portuguese, with affiliated appointments in the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies, and the Center for Global Studies. His research interests include Caribbean and Latin American history, identity, nationalism, international relations, religion, genealogy, family history, and the politics of culture.
Dr. Sotomayor is also an accomplished author whose scholarship explores Puerto Rico and its connections to broader histories of colonialism, identity, politics, and culture. His book, The Sovereign Colony: Olympic Sport, National Identity, and International Politics in Puerto Rico, received the 2017 José Toribio Medina Book Award. He co-edited Olimpismo: The Olympic Movement in the Making of Latin America and the Caribbean and is currently working on Religious Games: The YMCA, Sport, and Imperial Statecraft in Cuba and Puerto Rico, 1898–1940s.
Genealogy is also a significant part of Dr. Sotomayo
 
Links:
https://www.asotomayor.com/
https://www.asotomayor.com/genealogy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-sotomayor-ph-d-64443625/
https://jogg.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/101-Issue.pdf
https://www.asotomayor.com/familiaypoder
 
#PuertoRicoGenealogy #PuertoRicoHistory #CaribbeanGenealogy #GeneticGenealogy #DNAGenealogy #FamilyHistory #GenealogyResearch #YDNA #DNAAncestry #Sotomayor #PuertoRicanAncestry #CaribbeanHistory #Genealogy #AncestryResearch #SpanishColonialHistory #FamilyTree #GenealogyDNA #GenealogyPodcast #HistoryPodcast #DisAFiMiHistory

What happens when Caribbean voices and community histories are left out of mainstream historical narratives? In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, the hosts speak with the founders of Counter Narratives Gyonne Zafira & Nagila Muller, an organization working to challenge historical erasure and preserve the stories, experiences, and knowledge of Caribbean communities.
The conversation explores how oral history, archival research, digital archives, and community mapping can recover forgotten histories and create new ways of understanding the Caribbean and its diaspora. We discuss the power of historical institutions, who gets to control the narrative, and why community-led storytelling is essential to preserving cultural memory.
The episode also examines ethical storytelling, language, identity, representation, and lived experience, highlighting the importance of allowing communities to document and interpret their own histories.
From digitizing archival materials to collecting oral histories and mapping community stories, Counter Narratives demonstrates how technology and grassroots research can make hidden histories more accessible.
Listeners are encouraged to become active participants in preserving history by listening to community stories, sharing overlooked narratives, supporting local archives, and creating spaces where lived experiences can be remembered and valued.
🎙️ Listen to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for more conversations exploring Caribbean history, Black history, genealogy, archives, oral history, migration, and the untold stories of the Caribbean diaspora.
 
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/counternarratives1/reels/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counter_narratives
Website: https://counternarratives.nl/
Linkden: https://www.linkedin.com/company/counter-narratives/posts/?feedView=all
 
#CaribbeanHistory #OralHistory #BlackHistory #DigitalArchives #DisAFiMiHistory #CaribbeanDiaspora #HiddenHistory #UntoldHistory #CommunityHistory #ArchivalResearch #PublicHistory #HistoricalMemory #CulturalHeritage #CaribbeanCulture #BlackDiaspora #DecolonizingHistory #DecolonialHistory #CommunityArchives #DigitalHistory #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #HistoricalResearch #Storytelling #LivedExperience #CulturalIdentity #OralTraditions #Archives #HistoryPodcast #CaribbeanStudies #DiasporaStudies

How can DNA testing, artificial intelligence, and genealogical bioinformatics uncover family secrets hidden for generations? In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris is joined by Arun Konanur, a genetic genealogist and creator of patented genealogical bioinformatics tools, to explore how advanced DNA analysis is transforming family history research.
Discover how Correlated Multiphasic Analysis (CMA) combines DNA evidence, data mining, and pattern recognition to solve complex genealogical mysteries that traditional research alone cannot. Arun shares the fascinating case of tracing a nineteenth-century Jones family, demonstrating how innovative analytical methods can identify distant relatives, overcome brick walls, and navigate the challenges of endogamous populations.
The conversation also examines the ethical responsibilities of DNA genealogy, including informed consent, privacy, and balancing genetic evidence with archival records, historical documents, and oral history. Looking ahead, Arun discusses the future of genealogy and how artificial intelligence (AI) and bioinformatics are creating new opportunities for researchers to uncover ancestral connections with greater accuracy.
Whether you're interested in genetic genealogy, family history, DNA testing, AI in genealogy, or Caribbean ancestry, this episode provides practical insights into the cutting-edge tools shaping the future of genealogical research.
Learn more about Arun's work at DiscoveringNewAncestors.com and through the Genealogical Bioinformatics Facebook community.
 
BIO:
Arun Konanur is a professional genetic genealogist, bioinformatics researcher, and founder of Discovering New Ancestors, a genealogy research company based in London, Ontario. His work combines DNA analysis, artificial intelligence, data mining, and computational genealogy to solve complex family history mysteries that traditional documentary research alone cannot resolve.
Before entering the field of genealogy, Arun studied classical music composition in New York City and spent more than twenty years in information technology and business consulting. His passion for problem-solving ultimately led him to genealogy, where he developed innovative methods for interpreting DNA evidence and uncovering previously unknown ancestral connections.
Arun is the creator of several patented and patent-pending genealogical bioinformatics processes, including Correlated Multiphasic Analysis (CMA), AASK (Axiomatic Ancestral Stratification by Kinship), Shared Match Differentiation (SMD), and Reverse-CMA. These tools help genealogists analyze distant DNA matches, identify unknown ancestors, address endogamy, and break through long-standing genealogical brick walls using advanced computational techniques.
A sought-after international speaker, Arun has presented to genealogical organizations and conferences across North America on topics including DNA analysis, Genealogical Bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and innovative research methodologies. His work continues to advance the field of genetic genealogy by making sophisticated analytical tools more accessible to researchers and family historians.
On Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, Arun discusses how DNA testing, Genealogical Bioinformatics, and AI are transforming family history research. He explains how his Correlated Multiphasic Analysis method combines genetic evidence with archival records to solve complex genealogical puzzles, helping researchers uncover hidden family connections and better understand their ancestral past.
 
Links:
Website: http://discoveringnewancestors.com/about/about/
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/DNAncestors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getyourDNAinfo/
 
🎧 Subscribe to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for conversations exploring Caribbean history, genealogy, archives, DNA, and the hidden stories that connect families across generations.
#GeneticGenealogy #DNAGenealogy #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #AncestryDNA #ArtificialIntelligence #Bioinformatics #CaribbeanGenealogy #GenealogyResearch #HistoryPodcast #DisAFiMiHistory #FamilyTree #GeneticTesting #GenealogyCommunity #DNA

How did Black hair become a symbol of race, identity, power, and resistance? In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris sits down with Dr. Shaunasea Brown to explore the complex history of Black hair from the era of transatlantic slavery to the present day.
Discover how European beauty standards shaped ideas of "good" and "bad" hair, influencing generations of Black communities across the Caribbean and the African diaspora. Dr. Brown examines the historical roots of hair discrimination, the social and professional pressures surrounding hair straightening, the health and emotional impacts of chemical treatments, and the legal battles that have challenged workplace discrimination.
The conversation also explores the rise of the Natural Hair Movement, cultural identity, self-acceptance, and the ongoing work of dismantling harmful stereotypes while reclaiming Black beauty and heritage. Through history, research, and lived experience, this episode highlights why hair is far more than appearance—it is a reflection of culture, resilience, identity, and freedom.
Whether you're interested in Black history, Caribbean history, race and identity, social justice, genealogy, or the history of beauty standards, this episode offers powerful historical insight and meaningful discussion.
🎧 Subscribe to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for conversations exploring Caribbean history, genealogy, archives, and the untold stories that continue to shape our world.
BIO:
Dr. Shaunasea Brown is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University whose research focuses on Black Canadian Studies, Black feminism, womanism, and the politics of Black women's hair. She earned her PhD in the Department of Humanities at York University, where her interdisciplinary scholarship examined the artistic practices of second-generation Black Canadian women of Caribbean descent and their contributions to community care, identity, and cultural expression.
Dr. Brown's research explores how race, gender, beauty, and representation shape the lived experiences of Black communities in Canada and throughout the African diaspora. Her work examines Black hair as a site of identity, resistance, self-love, and cultural politics, challenging Eurocentric beauty standards and highlighting the historical and contemporary significance of Black hair. She is the author of influential publications including "Don't Touch My Hair": Problematizing Representations of Black Women in Canada and "Take the Kinks out Your Mind, Not Your Hair": Black Canadian Girls' Hair Politics & Self-Love.
Beyond her academic research, Dr. Brown is a passionate advocate for Black Studies and community engagement. She is a co-founder of the Black Researchers of Southwestern Ontario (BRSO), a network that supports Black scholarship, collaboration, and mentorship across the region. Her work emphasizes radical community care, cultural expression, and creating spaces where Black voices and experiences are centered.
On Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, Dr. Brown explores the history of Black hair from the era of slavery to the present day, examining how colonialism, racism, and Eurocentric beauty ideals shaped perceptions of "good" and "bad" hair. She discusses the lasting impacts of hair discrimination, the Natural Hair Movement, and the ongoing work of reclaiming Black identity, self-expression, and cultural pride across the Caribbean and the African diaspora.
#BlackHair #NaturalHair #BlackHistory #CaribbeanHistory #HairDiscrimination #AfricanDiaspora #CulturalIdentity #Genealogy #HistoryPodcast #DisAFiMiHistory

What can Caymanian bush medicine teach us about history, healing, and cultural identity? In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris welcomes Hannah Reed Ford, founder of Bush Girl Medicine, to explore the rich tradition of Caymanian herbal medicine and the ancestral knowledge passed down through generations.
Discover how medicinal plants have supported the health and well-being of Caymanian families while preserving cultural heritage and strengthening community resilience. Hannah discusses the importance of traditional plant knowledge, the role of elders in safeguarding these practices, and how modernization, urbanization, and the Caribbean diaspora have influenced the transmission of this invaluable wisdom.
The conversation also highlights the connection between genealogy, oral history, environmental conservation, and traditional medicine, demonstrating how local plants serve as living archives of Caribbean history. Hannah shares personal stories, practical ways to reconnect with nature, and why documenting and protecting this knowledge is essential for future generations.
Whether you're interested in Caribbean history, traditional healing, genealogy, ethnobotany, oral history, or Indigenous and cultural knowledge, this episode offers a fascinating look at the enduring legacy of Caymanian bush medicine.
 
BIO:
Hannah Reid Ford is a Caymanian ethnobiologist, educator, and founder of Bush Girl Medicine, an initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the traditional knowledge of Caymanian medicinal plants and their cultural significance. Her work explores the intersection of ethnobotany, oral history, environmental stewardship, and cultural heritage, documenting the ways generations of Caymanians have relied on native plants for healing, nourishment, and survival.
Drawing upon research, community engagement, and knowledge passed down by elders, Hannah advocates for the preservation of bush medicine as a living cultural archive. She emphasizes that traditional plant knowledge is more than herbal remedies—it represents the history, resilience, and identity of the Cayman Islands. Through Bush Girl Medicine, she encourages people to reconnect with the natural environment, learn from elders, and safeguard this invaluable knowledge for future generations.
As a speaker and educator, Hannah shares practical knowledge about Caymanian medicinal plants while highlighting the importance of biodiversity conservation, sustainable living, and cultural preservation. Her work has helped inspire a renewed appreciation for traditional ecological knowledge and its relevance in the modern world.
On Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, Hannah discusses the rich tradition of Caymanian bush medicine, the role of oral history in preserving ancestral knowledge, and how medicinal plants serve as living records of Caribbean history. Her conversation explores the connections between genealogy, cultural identity, conservation, and the enduring legacy of traditional healing practices in the Cayman Islands.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bushgirlmedicine/
Website: https://bushgirlmedicine.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bushgirlmedicine
 
🎧 Subscribe to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for conversations with historians, genealogists, researchers, and cultural practitioners uncovering the hidden histories of the Caribbean and its global connections.
#CaymanIslands #BushMedicine #CaribbeanHistory #TraditionalMedicine #HerbalMedicine #Ethnobotany #Genealogy #OralHistory #CulturalHeritage #BlackHistory #IndigenousKnowledge #CaribbeanCulture #EnvironmentalHistory #DisAFiMiHistory #HistoryPodcast

The 1790s marked a turning point in Caribbean history, as revolutionary ideas swept across the Atlantic world and transformed the lives of free and enslaved people throughout the Greater Caribbean. In this episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, Professor Klooster explores how the French Revolution, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, Spanish colonial reforms, and British abolitionist debates inspired new hopes for freedom, equality, and citizenship.
Discover how revolutionary ideals spread through trans-imperial networks, with Curaçao serving as a critical hub connecting the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas. Learn how sailors, merchants, migrants, and free people of color carried news, political ideas, and legal strategies across colonial borders, influencing resistance movements and shaping the revolutionary era.
Professor Klooster examines the legal petitions of free people of color, the role of Atlantic migration, and the impact of rumors, communication networks, and revolutionary language in fueling resistance from Saint-Domingue (Haiti) to the wider Caribbean. The conversation also explores the complexities of race, colorism, class, slavery, colonialism, and the long struggle for civil rights and equality in the British, French, Spanish, and Dutch Caribbean.
Whether you're interested in Caribbean genealogy, Atlantic history, the Haitian Revolution, abolition, colonial history, or the African Diaspora, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the most significant decades in world history and its lasting influence on the modern Caribbean.
Topics Covered
The French Revolution and its impact on the Caribbean
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Haitian Revolution and Saint-Domingue
Curaçao as a revolutionary crossroads
Free people of color and legal petitions
Slavery, emancipation, and abolition
British, French, Spanish, and Dutch colonial empires
Revolutionary ideas across the Atlantic World
Caribbean resistance and revolts
Race, class, and colorism in the colonial Caribbean
Caribbean genealogy and historical research
The African Diaspora and transatlantic networks
#CaribbeanHistoryPodcast #CaribbeanHistory #GreaterCaribbean #French Revolution #HaitianRevolution #Saint-Domingue #Curaçao #AtlanticWorld #AtlanticHistory #Slavery #Abolition #Emancipation #FreePeopleofColor #DeclarationoftheRightsofMan #CaribbeanGenealogy #AfricanDiaspora #Colonial History #BritishCaribbean #SpanishCaribbean #DutchCaribbean #French Caribbean #BlackHistory #RevolutionaryAtlantic #CaribbeanStudies #GenealogyPodcast #HistoryPodcast #ColonialJamaica #CaribbeanResistance #AtlanticSlaveTrade
#DisAFiMiHistoryPodcast.
 
BIO: 
Professor Wim Klooster is a distinguished historian specializing in the history of the Atlantic World, with expertise in the Caribbean, the Age of Revolutions, colonial Latin America, and the Dutch Atlantic. He is the Clark Professor of History at Clark University and is internationally recognized for his research on the interconnected histories of Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Professor Klooster's scholarship explores the movement of people, ideas, and goods across the Atlantic, examining how revolutions, migration, trade, and colonialism shaped the modern world. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, the Greater Caribbean, slavery, emancipation, and the complex relationships among the British, French, Spanish, and Dutch empires.
He is the author and editor of numerous acclaimed books and scholarly publications, including Revolutions in the Atlantic World: A Comparative History, The Dutch Moment: War, Trade, and Settlement in the Seventeenth-Century Atlantic World, and Migration, Trade, and Slavery in an Expanding World. His research highlights the role of free people of color, enslaved communities, merchants, sailors, and revolutionary networks in shaping the Atlantic World during periods of profound political and social change.
 

How does Caribbean music preserve history, identity, and cultural memory? Can a song tell the story of a people as powerfully as a history book?
In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris welcomes Darren Shillingford for an engaging conversation about how Caribbean music serves as a living archive—preserving the history, traditions, resilience, and identity of Caribbean people across generations.
From the rhythms of steelpan and the storytelling tradition of calypso to Caribbean folk music, classical Caribbean composers, and contemporary musical fusion, Darren explores how music has documented the experiences of the Caribbean diaspora, celebrated cultural heritage, and challenged systems of colonialism and inequality.
The discussion highlights the origins of the steelpan in Trinidad and Tobago, the role of calypso as oral history and social commentary, and the importance of preserving traditional songs that connect communities to their ancestors. Darren also shares insights into music education, the value of community performance, and how blending traditional and contemporary musical styles ensures Caribbean culture continues to thrive.
Whether you're passionate about Caribbean history, music history, genealogy, Black history, cultural heritage, or the African diaspora, this episode demonstrates that every melody, lyric, and rhythm carries a story worth preserving.
In This Episode
🎵 How Caribbean music preserves history and cultural identity🥁 The origins and global influence of the steelpan🎤 Calypso as oral history, resistance, and social commentary🎼 Caribbean folk songs and classical composers🌍 Music, migration, and the Caribbean diaspora📚 The importance of music education and cultural preservation🤝 Building community through music and performance🎶 Why musical traditions matter for future generations
Music is far more than entertainment—it is a historical record, a form of resistance, and a powerful expression of identity. Darren reminds us that preserving Caribbean music means preserving the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the people who created it.
 
Bio:
Darren Shillingford is a Trinidad and Tobago–born musician, educator, conductor, and cultural advocate dedicated to preserving and celebrating Caribbean musical traditions. With a career spanning performance, teaching, and community engagement, he explores the rich history of steelpan, calypso, folk music, and classical Caribbean composers. His work highlights music as a living archive that connects generations, preserves cultural identity, and tells the stories of the Caribbean and its diaspora.
 
Website: https://dshillingford.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dshillingford/
Blog Post: https://www.georgetowndcblog.com/blog/darrenshillingford
 
History Podcasts For Historians https://blog.feedspot.com/history_podcasts_for_historians/ 
Follow:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berkshirehalleppingpress/ 
Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV 
Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3 
Prayer Journal: https://a.co/d/bfSdIl0 
The Emotions of Researching your Family Tree: https://www.amazon.ca/Emotions-Researching-Your-Family-Tree-ebook/dp/
 
Support The Podcast https://ko-fi.com/disafimihistory/tip 
Great Research Resource https://www.ancestorsofparadise.com/ 
Clothes https://effystyle.goaffpro.com/ 
Reservations for Barbados https://diaspora-discoveries.com/reservations 
Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=74ffcf 
Cultural Roots: https://www.skool.com/cultural-roots-reconnection-8301/about?ref=62a97470644b496897d06254e6796add 
 
Recorded MusicTheme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2zQefSvCUk
🎧 Subscribe to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for conversations exploring Caribbean history, genealogy, African diaspora studies, music history, oral traditions, and the untold stories that continue to shape our world.
#DisAFiMiHistoryPodcast #DarrenSchillingford #CaribbeanMusic#CaribbeanMusicHistory #Steelpan #SteelDrum #Calypso#CalypsoHistory #CaribbeanCulture #CaribbeanHeritage#MusicHistory #OralHistory #BlackHistory #AfricanDiaspora#CaribbeanGenealogy #MusicEducation #CulturalPreservation#TrinidadAndTobago #HistoryPodcast #WendyAris

How did a small island in the English Channel become deeply connected to the Caribbean through the salt cod trade? What role did Jersey merchants play in the transatlantic economy, and how did salt cod become a staple food throughout the Caribbean?
In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris welcomes photographer, researcher, and maritime historian Martin Toft to discuss his groundbreaking research project, Entrepôt, and his Dispatch 1: Caribbean fieldwork exploring the historical connections between Jersey, Canada, and the Caribbean through the salt cod trade.
Martin shares how years of archival research and travel across Saint Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Barbados, and Grenada have uncovered the complex merchant networks that linked the Channel Island of Jersey to plantation economies in the Caribbean. At the center of the story is merchant Charles Robin, whose cod trading empire connected the fisheries of Atlantic Canada with Caribbean plantations, where salted cod became an essential food source for enslaved Africans and later for generations of Caribbean families.
Together, Wendy and Martin examine how maritime history, family history, colonial archives, and photographic storytelling reveal the economic systems that sustained slavery and shaped the modern Atlantic World. They discuss the relationships between merchants, plantation owners, shipping agents, and colonial governments, while exploring how historical photographs, archival documents, and field research can uncover forgotten connections between Europe and the Caribbean.
The conversation also explores the cultural legacy of saltfish—a food that remains central to Caribbean cuisine today. From Jamaica's national dish of ackee and saltfish to traditional recipes throughout the region, Martin explains how a commodity born from global trade, colonialism, and forced labor became woven into Caribbean identity and culinary heritage.
Whether you're interested in Caribbean history, genealogy, maritime history, Atlantic World studies, food history, slavery, or archival research, this episode uncovers a fascinating story of commerce, migration, and cultural resilience that continues to shape the Caribbean today.
In This Episode
How Jersey became a major player in the Atlantic salt cod trade
Charles Robin and the merchant networks connecting Canada and the Caribbean
Why salt cod became a staple food throughout the Caribbean
The relationship between commerce, slavery, and plantation economies
Using archives, photography, and fieldwork to uncover hidden histories
Family connections across the Atlantic World
The enduring legacy of saltfish in Caribbean culture and cuisine
Why maritime history is essential to understanding Caribbean identity
If you enjoy episodes about Caribbean genealogy, Black history, food history, Atlantic history, colonial trade, and the untold stories behind everyday traditions, this conversation offers a remarkable new perspective on one of the Caribbean's most recognizable foods.
BIO:
Martin Toft is a photographer, researcher, and visual storyteller whose work explores the intersections of history, memory, landscape, and identity. Through his long-term project Entrepôt, he investigates the historical links between Jersey, Atlantic Canada, and the Caribbean, uncovering the maritime trade networks that shaped the Atlantic World. Combining archival research, photography, and fieldwork, his work reveals the enduring legacies of commerce, colonialism, and migration on communities across the Atlantic.
 
Website: https://www.martintoft.com/blog/2024/7/31/dispatch-1-caribbean
Website: https://www.martintoft.com/about-1
 
History Podcasts For Historians https://blog.feedspot.com/history_podcasts_for_historians/ 
Follow:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berkshirehalleppingpress/ 
Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV 
Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3 
Prayer Journal: https://a.co/d/bfSdIl0 
The Emotions of Researching your Family Tree: https://www.amazon.ca/Emotions-Researching-Your-Family-Tree-ebook/dp/
 
Support The Podcast https://ko-fi.com/disafimihistory/tip 
Great Research Resource https://www.ancestorsofparadise.com/ 
Clothes https://effystyle.goaffpro.com/ 
Reservations for Barbados https://diaspora-discoveries.com/reservations 
Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=74ffcf 
Cultural Roots: https://www.skool.com/cultural-roots-reconnection-8301/about?ref=62a97470644b496897d06254e6796add 
 
Recorded MusicTheme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
🎧 Subscribe to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for conversations exploring Caribbean history, genealogy, African diaspora studies, maritime history, archival research, and the stories that connect people, places, and generations.
 
#DisAFiMiHistoryPodcast #MartinToft #Entrepot #CaribbeanHistory #Saltfish#SaltCod #CaribbeanFoodHistory #MaritimeHistory #AtlanticWorld #CaribbeanGenealogy #Genealogy #BlackHistory #FoodHistory #ColonialHistory#TransatlanticTrade #JerseyHistory #CanadianHistory #ArchivalResearch#CaribbeanCulture #HistoryPodcast