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

Exploring Haitian Genealogy: A Journey with Gilles Hudicourt

In this insightful episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, we explore Haitian genealogy with Gilles Hudicourt, a passionate genealogist and founding member of the Association de Généalogie d'Haiti. From the journey of tracing his own Haitian roots through old family records to the establishment of a vital resource for Caribbean history, Gilles shares his insights into preserving ancestral heritage. This episode emphasizes the challenges and rewards of genealogical research, particularly within the context of Haiti's National Archives and the digitization efforts that enhance access to historical records. As Gilles uncovers the wealth of information found in wedding certificates and discusses the emotional significance of these discoveries, we are reminded of the profound connection we have with our family history. Join us as we bridge the gap between past and present, fostering a deep appreciation for our heritage and the stories that shape our identities.
Web Sites
https://www.agh.qc.ca/indexen.html
 
http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/haiti/ptp/ptp.htm
 
Family Search
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Haiti_Genealogy
 
ANOM
http://anom.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/caomec2/recherche.php?territoire=SAINT-DOMINGUE
 
Follow: Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV 
Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3
 
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
 #history #Haiti #jamaicapodcast #History Haitian Genealogy  #CaribbeanHistory #SlaveHistory #colonialism #caribbeanhistory #familyhistory #familygenealogy #heritage
 

The Irish in the Anglo-Caribbean: Servants or Enslaved? - Professor Matt Reilly

In this episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History podcast, we delve into the intricate colonial history of the Irish in the Anglo-Caribbean. Special guest, Associate Professor Matthew C. Reilly, an anthropological archaeologist at CUNY, leads an enlightening discussion on race formation, colonial modernity, and the roles that Irish individuals played within the indentured servitude and slavery systems. This episode serves to highlight the complex dynamics of colonialism and family history as we explore legal distinctions that differentiated Irish indentured servants from enslaved Africans—revealing insights about personhood and societal structures of the time.
The podcast takes listeners back to the 1640s and 1650s, uncovering how labor transitioned from Irish indentured servants to enslaved Africans, and how this impacted Caribbean societies. With an eye on the socio-cultural implications, we dissect primary sources like wills and census records, aiming to reconstruct the lived experiences of the Irish diaspora in the Caribbean.
We also examine the vital role of archaeology in retelling suppressed narratives and understanding heritage, while addressing misrepresentations surrounding Irish involvement in Caribbean slavery. Join us for a comprehensive understanding of colonial history, race relations, and their enduring legacies.
BIO:
Matthew Reilly is a historical archaeologist exploring issues of race, colonialism, slavery, and freedom in the Atlantic World. His work is primarily based on the Caribbean island of Barbados and in the West African nation of Liberia. With the support of National Geographic, he is working with an international team and local partnering institutions in Liberia studying heritage and archaeology associated with the nineteenth-century Back-to-Africa movement. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the City College of New York. He is the author of Archaeology below the Cliff: Race, Class, and Redlegs in Barbadian Sugar Society (2019).
 
Books: 
https://www.amazon.ca/Archaeology-Below-Cliff-Redlegs-Barbadian/dp/0817320288
https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Colonial-Post-Contact-Archaeology-Barbados-Directions/dp/908890846X
 
Article:
https://www.historyireland.com/the-irish-in-the-anglo-caribbean-servants-or-slaves/
 
Follow: Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV 
Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3
 
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
 #history #IRISH #jamaicapodcast #History #BritishAtlanticHistory #IRELAND #CaribbeanHistory #SlaveHistroy #INDENTUREHISTORY
 

Embracing African Heritage: The Cultural Significance of Hair with Kofi Piesie

In this episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, we explore the rich tapestry of Caribbean history and family heritage as our host, Wendy Aris, engages with author and cultural expert Kofi Piesie. They discuss Piesie's captivating blog post 'Beautiful African Hair, Please Stop Using the Other N-word,' which delves into the significance of African hair as a symbol of cultural identity and its deep roots in family genealogy.
Piesie sheds light on how societal perceptions of African hair have evolved and the psychological impacts of these views on individuals of African descent. By tracing historical occurrences and examining hairstyles as markers of social status, we highlight the importance of understanding our heritage and the stories behind African hair traditions.
This enlightening conversation journeys from Nigeria to Chad, uncovering the cultural meanings associated with various hairstyles, alongside an exploration of the spiritual significance of hair in African traditions. We advocate for embracing natural beauty, emphasizing the vitality and potential inherent in these rich traditions.
Join us as we not only celebrate the beauty of African hair but also challenge misconceptions and inspire a deeper connection to one’s roots. Subscribe and leave a review to support our mission of exploring Caribbean ancestry and culture!
 
Bio:
Kofi Piesie is a Pan African, Lecturer, Author and is a member of Seshew Maa Ny Medew Netcher, a group that studies Ancient Egyptian Writing and language, Mossi Warrior Clan, the group studies are intensively in West Africa and Kofi Piesie Research Team that research and studies African American, and African history, culture, writing, and languages. Kofi Piesie has been an independent researcher for 9 years and has been presenting information 7 years using the ancient Egyptian word tp Hsb which means the correct method. 2013 he made it his mission to reconstruct the African Mind and a few years later he created a channel that takes the black man, women, and child Eurocentric mind and Africanize call Ko? Piesie Tv in 2017.
Books:
https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/kofi-piesie/4511806/
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Kofi-Piesie-Research-Team/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AKofi+Piesie+Research+Team
 
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8GxvM14O8H_rmVLUf89Jw
 
Follow: Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV 
Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3
 
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
 #history #AFRICANHAIR #jamaicapodcast #History #BritishAtlanticHistory #HairHistory #CaribbeanHistory #SlaveHistroy #JamaicaHistory #African heritage #naturalbeauty
 

Racial Passing in Jamaican Colonial Society: Unveiling Caribbean History

In this captivating episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris engages in a stimulating conversation with legal historian Dr. Justine K. Collins. They highlight a fascinating aspect of Jamaican colonial history: the concept of racial passing and its complex interplay with legal proceedings, significantly contributing to our understanding of Caribbean history and family genealogy. Dr. Collins delivers an in-depth analysis of the Jamaican plantocracy's crafty usage of private bills to seize and secure power, contributing to the eventful assertion of white dominion.
The scholarly exploration unearths the profound influence such private bills had on altering class and racial perspectives within Jamaican society. These bills elevated the status of mixed-race children, effectively showcasing racial passing in a society where skin color and lineage were paramount. Their dialogue surrounds the convoluted process of racial identification during this period, exploring the variety of terms that meticulously detailed differing levels of blackness or whiteness within the context of Caribbean heritage.
Their conversation holds relevance beyond history, uncovering a purposely built social hierarchy and the normative implications such classifications carried on aspects like property ownership, political inclusion, and communal rank. Gain a deeper understanding of these complexities, enriched by Dr. Collins’ extensive research on these private bills and her valuable use of first-hand records from the National Archives in Kew, London.
Dive into the lesser-discussed nuances of Caribbean history, moving beyond the typical discourse surrounding slavery and tourism. Recognize the enduring theme of division and control manifesting from race as stipulated in these bills, extending to the division within the 'free people of color'. Discover how these narratives were manipulated to emphasize social difference and preserve the status quo, showcasing law's role as a tool for societal manipulation.
This riveting episode provides invaluable insight for those interested in family history or broader societal dynamics, offering a glimpse into a societal framework molded over time, with elements echoing in today's structures. Join this academic journey through documented laws and their far-reaching implications on both individuals and society at large.
BIO:
Dr. Collins is a legal historian and specialises in the intersection of law and society particularly within colonial slavery laws of the Atlantic World. She completed her doctoral studies at the Goethe University Frankfurt in conjunction with the Max Planck Institute for European Legal History and Legal Theory in Frankfurt, Germany. Her thesis engaged legal comparative analysis to trace the origins and influences of the British Caribbean slavery codes. This thesis research - Tracing British West Indian Slavery: An Analysis of Legal Transplants - was published by Routledge in 2021.
Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Justine-K-Collins/dp/1032122994
Follow: Twitter: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV 
Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3
 
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
 #history #jamaicanhistory #jamaicapodcast #History #BritishAtlanticHistory #Slavecode #CaribbeanHistory #SlaveHistory #JamaicaHistory #colonialism #caribbeanhistory #familyhistory #familygenealogy #heritage
 

Exploring Caribbean Heritage Through Death Rituals: A Conversation with Professor Josiana Arroyo-Martinez

In our latest episode of the Disafemi History Podcast, we dive into Caribbean history by hosting an enriching conversation with esteemed scholar Professor Josiana Arroyo-Martinez from the University of Texas, Austin. This episode explores death rituals and their sociocultural implications in Caribbean communities, offering listeners a fresh perspective on a seldom-explored subject.
Professor Arroyo-Martinez shares insights into the intriguing topic "Cities of the Dead, Performing Life in the Caribbean," discussing how Afro and European traditions blend and how the memory of those enslaved from Africa deeply influences funeral practices. She also engages us in the narrative of the Atlantic Ocean as the first burial site for Caribbean people, presenting a chilling reminder of the brutal transatlantic slave trade.
As we delve into the themes of life, death, and performance in Caribbean societies, the professor utilizes fascinating cultural artifacts. Through the film 'Juan de los Muertos,' Eduardo Lalo's documentary 'La Ciudad Perdida,' and the unique performative funerals of Funeral Marin, she showcases how these communities engage with heritage and identity through their traditions.
Interrogating societal narratives around life, loss, and violence, we explore critical issues of gender, race, and power structures. Professor Arroyo-Martinez illuminates the cultural underpinnings of our relationship to death and survival, questioning the role of death images in either re-traumatizing communities or aiding in their healing.
Join us to understand the intricate dance of life, death, and identity in Caribbean societies, as we delve into performative mourning, funeral rituals, and the photographic documentation of death. This episode further highlights the symbolism and significance of life-death rituals as a testament to societal resilience and discusses the future of research in this captivating field.
Bio: Born in Puerto Rico Jossianna Arroyo-Martínez (BA, University of Puerto Rico, 1989, PhD University of California at Berkeley, 1998) is a literary and cultural studies scholar who specializes in the analysis of Afro-Diasporic literatures and cultures in the Americas, critical race studies, queer studies, and media studies. She is Professor and Chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at The University of Austin, Texas. She also holds an appointment at the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies. She is the author of Travestismos culturales: literatura y etnografía en Cuba y Brasil (Iberoamericana, 2003) a critique of cultural racism in the work of Gilberto Freyre and Fernando Ortiz, and several Cuban and Brazilian novels, and Writing Secrecy in Caribbean Freemasonry (Palgrave, 2013), an analysis of transnational, racial and colonial dimensions of Masonic encounters in the circum-Caribbean and the United States (1850-1898). She has contributing essays on Brazilian and Caribbean Literatures at Lusosex Sexualities in the Portuguese Speaking World (2002); Technofuturos (2008). She has published at Encuentro de la cultura cubana, La Habana Elegante, Revista de Estudios Hispánicos, Journal of Latino Studies, and CENTRO Journal for Puerto Rican Studies, among many other national and international publications. Her new research project entitled Mediascapes is an analysis of local and transnational Caribbean cultures in new media and their ways of representing race, ethnicity and culture in neoliberal times.
Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Caribes-2-0-Globalization-Afterlives-Disaster/dp/1978819749
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/13569325.2018.1485559
Workbook https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy...
FeedSpot https://podcasts.feedspot.com/caribbe...
Morning Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
#caribbean #caribbeanculture #history #death #spanishhispanola #african #africandiaspora #deathrituals #performativemourning #culturalartifacts #AfroandEuropeantraditions

Exploring Caribbean Heritage: Dr. Mary Njeri Kinyanjui on African Markets and Culture

Welcome to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, where Caribbean history and family genealogy come to life! In this episode, join host Wendy Aris as she converses with Dr. Mary Njeri Kinyanjui about her enlightening book, African Markets and the Utu-Ubuntu Business Model. Discover how these concepts intersect within the broader narratives of colonialism in the context of Caribbean heritage. Unravel the threads of family history, and learn how they connect to our understanding of identity and culture in the Caribbean. Join us as we delve deep into the stories that shaped our past.
Where UTU (SWAHILI) meaning humanity, human nature
Ubuntu (ZULU) is an ancient African word meaning 'humanity to others.
Bio:
Dr. Mary Njeri Kinyanjui is a retired researcher at the Institute for Development studies, University of Nairobi. She holds a PhD in Geography from Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, and an MA from Kenyatta University, Kenya. She has a wide experience in the study of women and livelihoods. She has published many articles and books on the subject. She has also been involved in gender activism in her country Kenya. 
Book Link:
https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/Mary-Njeri-Kinyanjui/dp/1013293525
 
Workbook https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy...
FeedSpot https://podcasts.feedspot.com/caribbe...
Morning Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV
 
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
#caribbean #caribbeanculture #history #UTU #UBANTU #african #africandiaspora #ancestralroots #colonialhistory #Caribbeanculture #culturalidentity
 

Braided Archives: Exploring Black Hair, Heritage, and Caribbean History - Océane Nyela

In this episode, I am joined by PhD candidate Océane Nyela, who explores the fascinating intersections of black hair, colonialism, and Caribbean history in her master’s paper, 'Braided Archives.' We delve into how hair braiding serves as a profound medium for understanding cultural heritage and family history within the Black diaspora. Join us as we discuss the importance of these practices in preserving Caribbean genealogy and the narratives often overlooked in mainstream discussions. This conversation not only uncovers the significance of black hair but also weaves together personal and collective narratives that enrich our understanding of identity and ancestry.
Website https://www.oceanenyela.ca/
Follow: Twitter/X: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy...
FeedSpot https://podcasts.feedspot.com/caribbe...
 
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed) #caribbean #caribbeanculture #history #braided #hair #african #africandiaspora #cultural heritage #blackdiaspora #historicalstorytelling

Exploring Caribbean Funeral Rites: African Retentions with Dr. Jean Small

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Caribbean funeral rites with Dr. Jean Small, focusing on the rich African retentions that continue to influence these practices today. Funeral rites play a significant role in shaping family history and heritage, and understanding their evolution can provide vital insights into Caribbean cultural identity. Join us as we explore how these traditions reflect enduring connections to ancestry and the legacies of colonialism. Dr. Small shares her expertise and personal stories that illuminate the intricate tapestry of Caribbean genealogy and cultural heritage. Don’t miss this enlightening discussion that bridges the past and present in the Caribbean context.
 
Bio:
JEAN SMALL is a Guyanese Jamaican living in Jamaica since 1954. She graduated from the University of the West Indies in Foreign Languages,–French, Spanish and Latin and her profession all her life has been as an educator. She has worked in Guyana, Trinidad, Nigeria, Australia and here in Jamaica as a teacher of French at both Secondary and University levels. In 2010 Dr Small was awarded the BRONZE MUSGRAVE MEDAL by the Institute of Jamaica for excellence in theatre. In that same year she received the LIFE AWARD from the Jamaica Association of Dramatic Artists for over fifty years of contribution to theatre in the Caribbean as well as a plaque from the Republic of Guyana for her outstanding contribution to theatre. In 2011 Dr. Small was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy for her thesis on CREATIVTY AND THE USE OF THEATRE TECHNIQUES IN TEACHING FRENCH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Dr. Small is divorced and has one son, Seretse Small, who is a guitarist and CEO of his own company GRIOT MUSIC.
 
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Twitter/X: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy...
FeedSpot https://podcasts.feedspot.com/caribbe...
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
#caribbean #caribbeanculture #history #death #funeral #african #funeralrites #culturalidentity #ancestralroots #coloniallegacy

The Role of Hair in African Literature and Its Ties to Caribbean Heritage

In this episode of Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris speaks with Professor Joseph Fashola about the profound significance of hair in African literature and its connections to Caribbean heritage. This enlightening discussion delves into themes of colonialism, family history, and their role in shaping identity across the Caribbean. Professor Fashola reveals how narratives around hair not only reflect cultural beliefs but also intertwine with the experiences of diaspora communities. Whether you're interested in Caribbean history or seeking to understand the broader implications of family genealogy, this episode offers valuable insights.
Bio:
Joseph Fashola holds a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria with special interest in Social Philosophy, African Philosophy, Metaphysics and Logic. He is currently a lecturer in Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria.
Book: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks...
 
Follow:
Twitter/X: @eppinghall
Instagram: @berkshirehalleppingpress
Workbook https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/wendy...
FeedSpot https://podcasts.feedspot.com/caribbe...
 
Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
 
#caribbean #caribbeanculture #history #hairstyle #hair #africanhair #africanhairstyle #colonialism #caribbeanhistory #familyhistory #familygenealogy #heritage

Exploring Caribbean Teas with Dr. Sonia Peter - A Dive into Heritage

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Caribbean Teas with Dr. Sonia Peter. As we explore the rich history of these beloved beverages, we uncover the stories of how colonialism has influenced tea culture in the Caribbean. Join us as we discuss the importance of family history and heritage in understanding the origins of Caribbean Teas, and how these traditions continue to shape our identity today.  Whether you're passionate about Caribbean genealogy or simply a fan of unique flavors, this episode will provide valuable insights into the cultural tapestry of the Caribbean.
Bio:
Dr Sonia Peter is a Natural Product Chemist with interests in ethnomedicine, ethnobotany and plant conservation. She founded the non-profit organization to engage the public within a science engagement platform to promote the value of the plant resource for food security and wellness. She is published in scientific journals on natural product discovery and has penned the plant heritage book entitled ‘Seed Under the Leaf’. The company owner of Heritage Teas.
Heritage Teas Website:
https://worldteaexpo.vporoom.com/HeritageTeas/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/HeritageTeasBarbados/
Bio-Education Website:
https://biocultural-education-berp.squarespace.com/meet-the-team
Book Link:
https://www-origin.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31401508467&tab=1&searchurl=
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeedUnderTheLeaf2014/
 
Follow:
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 #caribbeanteas #barbados #bushtea #colonialism #caribbeanhistory #familyhistory #familygenealogy #heritage