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As I
arose to the realms of the earth in December of
1954, in Princess Margaret Hospital, Lysson,
Morant Bay in the Parish of St Thomas Xaymaca,
into the loving arms of Agatha Walker and father
Minster Evans Walker, both parents had a
significant influence on my rising into
adulthood.
Educated in the early years within the Soho
Church Basic school at the age of 7 years I
progressed to Whitehall Primary school,
successfully completing grade 9 when I graduated
at age 15 years in 1969.
My
fathers training of reasoning, teaching and
preaching skills provided me with a firm
foundation on how to interact and communicate
effectively with people from all walks of life.
This enabled me to become a confident
communicator, which in turn helped me to move
forward in life in a positive manner.
With
my father having a military background during
his time in Cuba, I was privileged to have been
able to gain some military skills of how to use
military tactics as well as master the
discipline and determination to carryout army
drills as he shared his historical knowledge and
understanding of the Maroon war. Memories begin
to flood back to me about his storytelling tales
as he describes details of the challenges and
battles that our maroon ancestral godfathers had
to overcome, and the historical facts of the
Maroon achievements across the island of Xaymaca.
Having refined my professional skills as an
electrical engineer with over 15years hands on
experience in the field with the Rippon Company
and then again with Hune Brothers on Maxine
Avenue, Kingston, I felt it was time for a
change of pace and a bit more of a venture
within the realms of local community
connections. Future venture during the early
eighties lead me to work with Bath Fountain Spa,
my duties were multiskilled and varied between
different tasks as a water therapist, site
security as well as assisting in the preparation
of hot meals.
Moving forward my professional appetite
continued to grow as I expanded my skill set
through my work with the Annotto Bay Banana
Company until around the mid-nineties, then I
secured work with the Jamaican Public Service in
port Maria again utilizing many of my
multi-talent throughout this time period.
Training of the Maroon traditions have included
the study of Agriculture, bush doctor medicine,
wild hunting techniques, music traditions of Jon
kunno revival, Kumina drumming & dance, gospel
bands to name just a few
As
time pasted I continued to establish my
professional expertise, by increasing my
knowledge and understanding of the sea water
world with support from the USA Peace Corp.
Having been a volunteer with the USA Peace Corp
for almost thirty years, I have gained extensive
knowledge through the study of fish banks,
varies underwater sea species, in addition to a
vast understanding of maroon culture, community
development projects and community relations.
With
an entrepreneur flare from an early age, I
further continue to serve a board range of
communities with my creation of making floor
mats, brooms and straw hats after taking
advantage of shared knowledge to develop the
correct method of traditional craft techniques
which I learnt from my grandmother Elza Davis,
affectionately known as aunt lize.
Historically my journey has encompassed studies
of the St Thomas Parish, including awareness of
the town of Bath being one of the first towns
that fought with Caucasian people with detailed
knowledge of the 18th century
residents establishing white only towns where no
maroons were allowed to venture, with a commonly
known flogging area within Lion Park.
Bath
town was one of the first towns to establish
road networks that ran through Hayfield into the
maroon town of Moore Town as well as Bath having
a main market place that was used to host a
court house.
Further research revealed that this was a strong
hold for nanny and folk tales still continue to
detail adventures of Nanny being famously known
for catching bullets that had been fired at her.
(see Negro Mansy for further reading).
During the ongoing battles with the British, the
Maroon town of Scotts Hall was used as a clinic
area for the injured and wounded Maroons. Being
of ancient times naturally grown herbs was used
as medicinal treatment to dress and care for
wounds. It is said that Bustamante established
Scotts Hall as a Maroon Town in 1939 as a way to
secure votes.
Due
to its historical past and its involvement in
the war, many local trade people feared going
into Scotts Hall due to its tales of ancestral
spirits. Local maroon people from Scotts Hall
were engaged along with myself to break down
barriers and reduce fears so the town could
receive electricity as a result my efforts were
rewarded with a gift of land and a property of
which I happily accepted and established my home
within the Scotts Hall Maroon Town residing
there since 1978. Further opportunities also
allowed me to develop skills in business
management and the construction & survey
industry.
Being
blessed with an Empress daughter and a General
Prince, I continue to strive through my livity
within the footsteps of Rastafari as I continue
the mission as the :Nyan-ko-pong: Sovereign
Maroon Chief Godfather of Artistry, Roots and
Culture ministry.
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