Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture
Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast
Hosted by Wendy Aris
A space where Caribbean history, family history, and heritage come to life. This podcast explores the legacies of colonialism and uncovers the often-overlooked stories that shaped the Caribbean and its people.
Whether you're tracing your ancestral roots, exploring regional identity, or simply curious about the past that informs the present, Dis A Fi Mi History offers meaningful insights and resources for anyone interested in Caribbean genealogy and historical storytelling.
Join host Wendy Aris as she speaks with historians, archivists, cultural practitioners, and everyday people who are piecing together the threads of their family and national histories.
Episodes
Saturday Feb 03, 2024
Saturday Feb 03, 2024
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Maria del Pilar Kaladeen about her captivating journey through Caribbean family history from indenture to the Windrush era. Drawing inspiration from her article, "A Daughter's Journey from Indenture to Windrush," Dr. Kaladeen shares her profound insights into how colonialism has shaped her family genealogy and personal identity. This exploration is not just about tracing roots but also about understanding the diverse narratives that contribute to Caribbean heritage. Join us as we delve into this journey of self-discovery, filled with turns, viewpoints, and connections to heritage.
Bio:
María del Pilar Kaladeen is an Associate Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London. Her work considers issues of memory, cultural identity, and Empire. She is the editor of the anthologies We Mark Your Memory: Writing from the Descendants of Indenture (University of London Press, 2018) and The Other Windrush: Legacies of Indenture in Britain’s Caribbean Empire (Pluto Press, 2021). María is also one of the co-editors of the new Journal for the Study of Indentureship and its Legacies.
Article Link: https://books.openbookpublishers.com/10.11647/obp.0218/ch17.xhtml
Website:
https://mariadelpilarkaladeen.com/
Social Media
X @MariaKaladeen
Instagram @MariaKaladeen
Follow:
Twitter/X: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook
https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy-aris/genealogy-workbook/paperback/product-88wyv4.html?page=1&pageSize=4
FeedSpot
https://podcasts.feedspot.com/caribbean_history_podcasts/
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
#caribbean #caribbeanculture #history #indenture #guyana #colonialism #heritage #Caribbeanhistory #familyhistory #familygenealogy
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Glenda -Rose Layne - Honoring Caribbean Folk Cultures: A Personal Reflection on Heritage
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
In this episode, we explore the significance of preserving cultural identity with Ms. Glenda-Rose Layne, focusing on her paper titled Honoring Caribbean Folk Cultures: A Personal Reflection. This discussion highlights the impact of colonialism on Caribbean history and how it shapes our understanding of family genealogy and heritage today. Join us as we reflect on the importance of family history in retaining cultural traditions and the role of folk cultures in connecting us to our roots.
Bio:
Glenda-Rose Layne is a professional Storyteller, actress, director, playwright and a performing artist, a Cultural Researcher, and an Academic; she holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Arts and Cultural Enterprise Management, a Master of Arts in Carnival Studies and is presently a PhD Candidate at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Ms Layne is a Certified Theatre in Education Drama in Education Practitioner and a Researcher with a specific focus on the indigenous and Traditional Arts of the Caribbean. She is the holder of three Gold Medals, one Bronze, one Industry award for Acting and Spokes model at the World Championship of the Performing Arts Hollywood California. In her capacity as a Researcher and Academic; she has presented at various international conferences and has published works; she is presently the National Ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago for the European Association of Social Anthropology - Applied Anthropology Network (EASA-AAN)
Article: https://doi.org/10.18733/cpi29506
Links: https://www.feelingdigital.org/layne
Follow:
Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook
https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy-aris/genealogy-workbook/paperback/product-88wyv4.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
Blank Cookbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096M1LC92
#caribbean #caribbeanculture #history #culturalidentity #Caribbeanheritage #colonialimpact #familytraditions
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Caribbean Cuisine and History with Chef Keisha Griggs | Explore Family Heritage
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
In this episode, join me as I speak with Chef Keisha Griggs, where we delve into the rich heritage of Caribbean cuisine and its connections to Caribbean history and family genealogy. Discover how traditional foods offer a powerful representation of the ancestral legacies of Caribbean people. Through our discussion, we explore the depths of family stories and the impact of colonialism on the culinary landscape of the Caribbean. Whether you're a food enthusiast or interested in family history, this episode provides valuable insights into how our cuisine serves as a living testament to our cultural heritage.
Bio:
Chef Keisha Griggs realized her love for cooking at an early age. Within her Trinidadian heritage, good food always came with a great memory. After 13 years as an interactive marketing executive, Chef Keisha followed her passion and lifelong love of cooking to pursue a career in the culinary industry. After graduating from the Arts Institute honored Culinary Arts program, she has had the opportunity to work alongside some of Houston's most prestigious chefs and restaurants, crafting techniques in classical French, Asian, Vegetarian, Vegan, New American, and fine dining cuisines.
Restaurant & Catering
https://www.bocagecatering.com/our-vision
Article:
https://www.cuisinenoirmag.com/chef-keisha-griggs-houston/
TikTock
https://www.tiktok.com/@chefkeishagriggs
Follow:
Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook
https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy-aris/genealogy-workbook/paperback/product-88wyv4.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
Blank Cookbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096M1LC92
#foodways #caribbeanfoodways #foodhistory #culinaryheritage #colonialimpact #foodhistory #culturalidentity
Saturday Dec 09, 2023
The Impact of Proverbs on African Society: Cultural Insights from Bamukunda Hillary
Saturday Dec 09, 2023
Saturday Dec 09, 2023
In this episode, we delve into the significance of proverbs as a vital component of African oral literature with Bamukunda Hillary. A poet, researcher, and teacher from Uganda, Bamukunda brings a unique perspective to the conversation. He explores how proverbs encapsulate cultural wisdom, reflecting social values and historical narratives that resonate within family histories and the broader context of heritage. Additionally, we discuss how such oral traditions parallel the discussions of Caribbean history and the legacies of colonialism in shaping identities. Join us in this enlightening dialogue that bridges cultures through the art of storytelling.
Paper Link https://www.academia.edu/34707592/Detailed_Research_on_The_Role_Of_Proverbs_in_African_society_oral_literature
https://powerpoetry.org/poet/Bamukunda%20Hillary/poems
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bamukunda-hillary-4357b6136/?originalSubdomain=ug
#culturalheritage #historicalnarratives #oraltraditions
Saturday Dec 02, 2023
DNA Genealogy - Barbie Jones - The Genealogy Situation Room
Saturday Dec 02, 2023
Saturday Dec 02, 2023
In this episode I speak with Barbie Jones from the podcast The Genealogy Situation Room about DNA Genealogy and how this has impacted the research on her family. This DNA testing has opened the door and revealed her family connection to the Caribbean which has been immense and validated the records and documents that have been uncovered.
Blog: https://thegenealogysituationroom.com/author/unsy3b2vum/
Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-genealogy-situation-room/id1544993515
Instagram: @The Genealogy Situation Room
References
https://isogg.org/
Testing
https://www.ancestry.ca/dna/
https://www.canadiandnaservices.ca/ancestry-testing/
https://www.ancestry.ca/c/offers/bundle
https://africanancestry.com/
Follow:
Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook
https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy-aris/genealogy-workbook/paperback/product-88wyv4.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
#dna #dnatestings #dnagenealogy #caribbeangenealogy
Saturday Nov 25, 2023
Provisions Exhibit - Professor Keja Valens
Saturday Nov 25, 2023
Saturday Nov 25, 2023
In this episode I speak with Professor Keja Valens in regard to the online exhibit on Provisions.
Bio:
KEJA VALENS is a professor of English at Salem State University. She has published numerous works on Caribbean literature, women’s history, sexuality and diasporic identity, including the books Desire between Women in Caribbean Literature and Querying Consent: Beyond Permission and Refusal. https://nehcaribbean.domains.uflib.ufl.edu/tag/keja-valens/
Provisions Exhibit - Online
http://di.salemstate.edu/provisions/exhibits
Book: Feb 2024 - Release
https://www.indigo.ca/fr-ca/culinary-colonialism-caribbean-cookbooks-and-recipes-for-national-independence/9781978829541.html
Provisions Cookbook
https://www.amazon.ca/Provisions-Caribbean-Cooking-150-Vegetarian-Recipes/dp/0738234672
Follow:
Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy-aris/genealogy-workbook/paperback/product-88wyv4.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
#foodways #caribbeanhistory #caribbeanfood #genealogyresearch
Saturday Nov 18, 2023
Saturday Nov 18, 2023
In this episode, I speak with Daniel Livesay about his enlightening book, "Children of Uncertain Fortune," which reveals aspects of Caribbean history that are often overlooked, particularly the lives of mixed-race individuals during slavery. This narrative sheds light on a complex and nuanced chapter of our heritage that is rarely acknowledged in mainstream historical discourse. We delve into how these individuals navigated their realities and the impact of colonial laws and wills on their stories. Personally, my own genealogy traces similar narratives explored in the book, adding a personal touch to our discussion about family genealogy and the rich tapestry of Caribbean heritage.
Bio:
Daniel Livesay is a scholar of Early American and Atlantic History. His work examines the intersection of race, family, and slavery in North America and the Caribbean. He teaches courses on slavery, Native American history, the history of the family, revolutions, and racial ideologies in the Americas. Currently, Professor Livesay is completing work on a manuscript that analyzes what life was like for elderly enslaved people in Virginia and Jamaica. This research explores how old workers were instrumental to the plantation culture and economy, as well as to broader cultural conceptions of slavery during the era of abolition.
Book: https://uncpress.org/book/9781469634432/children-of-uncertain-fortune/
Follow:
Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy-aris/genealogy-workbook/paperback/product-88wyv4.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra.
License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
#history #caribbeanhistory #jamaicanhistory #genealogyresearch #Childrenodauncertainfortune #BritishAtlanticHistroy #colonialism #caribbeanhistory #familyhistory #heritage #familygenealogy
Saturday Nov 11, 2023
Congotay! Congotay! - How Food Shapes Caribbean Identity with Candice Goucher
Saturday Nov 11, 2023
Saturday Nov 11, 2023
In this episode, we delve into Caribbean history with Retired History Professor Candice Goucher, who discusses her book "Congotay! Congotay! A Global History of Caribbean Food." We explore how food intertwines with identity, heritage, and the impact of colonialism on Caribbean culture. Candice shares engaging stories and perspectives that illuminate the significance of Caribbean food traditions in understanding family history and cultural heritage. Join us as we uncover the rich tapestry of Caribbean ancestry through the lens of food, heritage, and community.
Dr. Candice Goucher was Professor of History and co-directs the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice at Washington State University, Vancouver, where she has taught since Fall of 2000. Previously she chaired the Black Studies Department at Portland State University, in Portland, Oregon.
Trained as a historian and archaeologist, she has conducted research in West Africa, the Caribbean, Mauritius, and the Northwest.
Book:
https://www.amazon.ca/Congotay-History-Caribbean-Candice-2013-12-29/dp/B01K3R5N6U
#Caribbeanfood #foodidentity #culturalidentity #heritage #familyhistory #culturalheritage
Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Saturday Nov 04, 2023
In this episode, explore the importance of family genealogy in understanding our personal and collective Caribbean heritage. Join Katrina Burchell, CEO of the Pernicious Anemia Society, as we discuss how this hereditary condition impacted her family's history, connecting it to broader themes of Caribbean colonization and identity. Through her story, we uncover essential aspects of Caribbean history and how genetics plays a role in shaping our narratives. Whether you're tracing your roots or learning about the intersection of health and heritage, this episode offers valuable insights into the stories that bind us to our ancestral past.
Website: https://pernicious-anaemia-society.org/
Symptoms Checklist https://pernicious-anaemia-society.org/articles/symptom-checklist/
Contact
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pernicious-anaemia-society/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePerniciousAnaemiaSociety/
Twitter/X : https://twitter.com/PASOC
Articles: https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/ld/pernicious-anaemia-recognition-diagnosis-and-management
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@UCLbT-NRw8llMmCaCvu8EgJw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pernicious_anaemia_society/?hl=en
Follow: Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy-aris/genealogy-workbook/paperback/product-88wyv4.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
#history #jamaicanhistory #caribbeanhistory #caribbeangenealogy #caribbeanfamilyhistory #perniciousanemia #b12deficiency #vitaminb12deficiency #genealogyresearch #patientcare #patientadvocacy #patientadvocate #bloodline
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Nakuona: Exploring Duppy Stories and Caribbean Ancestry
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
In this episode, we dive into Duppy Stories with co-founders Dr. Judith Bruce-Golding and Sue Brown. This podcast explores the significant connection between these traditional Caribbean stories and our ancestry, notably the influence of colonialism on our collective heritage. Duppy Stories examines the origins of African and Caribbean narratives, their rich spirituality, and their profound effect on contemporary storytelling. Funded by the Arts Council England, we commissioned original works from the diaspora, embarking on a journey to reconnect with our family genealogy and cultural roots.
WebSite https://www.duppystories.co.uk/
Press Release https://issuu.com/nakuona/docs/duppy_stories_2022_press_release_
#history #jamaicanhistory #caribbeanhistory #caribbeangenealogy #caribbeanfamilyhistory #caribbeanfolklore #africanfolklore #colonialism #heritage #familyhistory

Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast
Welcome to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast—where Caribbean history comes alive! Dive into the rich kaleidoscope of the Caribbean’s past and discover how it shapes your own family’s story. Whether you’re tracing your roots or just curious about the region’s vibrant heritage, this podcast is your go-to resource for exploring the people, places, and events that made the Caribbean what it is today.
The title of the podcast Dis A Fi Mi History means in English This is My History.
Wendy Aris | Caribbean Genealogy Specialist








