Dear Editor,
As the nation battles the rapidly spreading chikungunya virus, I am reminded of why people across the globe view Jamaicans as one of the happiest people in the world.
Since the outbreak, there have been many complaints ranging from the Ministry of Health's handling of the situation to the severity of symptoms faced by individual. As the 'angry' virus makes its way across our island, no one is spared its wrath. But, even in face of the unmitigating rage being levied by the virus, the nation's people will not take it sitting down. The proverb "tek kin teet kibba heart bun" is once more being manifested. How?
Most of us were ignorant to the term chikungunya until when the virus landed on our shores. Not only is it an unfamiliar word, the placement of the syllables are not common. Hence it come as no surprise that several people are having difficulty with its pronunciation. I have heard "chikagunya, "chickengunya", chikengunman", chikengonerrhea", and a host of others. A TV vox pop was hilarous to watch, but it speaks to the wittiness of our people. Our language is rich, and we have the propensity to engineer various words/slangs that always quickly spread adding to the Jamaican vocabulary.
A quick type of any of the words mentioned above in the Google search engine will reveal a plethora of images created by individuals poking fun at the virus. This is satire and theatre at its best. One picture captures the most popular of the term "chikengunman". The image of a rooster armed with firepower too large for its size, portrays the severity of the disease. Did I hear someone say "little but tallawah" or "small axe fall big tree"? This is the epitome of creativity and a stark reminder of the wealth of talent that exist in this country.
As the reggae and dancehall capital, our citizens have put pen to paper and penned several songs about the disease. The lyrics of the songs are filled with information regarding the origin, symptoms, treatment, and the effects of the disease on individuals. Powerful edu-tainment tool. I wish the Ministry of Health would capitalise on some of them in its public education campaign. It is guaranteed that the reach would be greater. As for the dance, like the images, social media is lighting up with videos of the male species doing what is called the chikungunya dance. Quite an hilarious one. Jamaican's dance repertoire is extensive and so it comes as no surprise a new dance is added.
An outsider may never understand it. A major part of being a Jamaican is an experience that takes root in the heart. Not just being a walking fashion show demonstrating black green and gold outfits accessorised by fake locks and a ganja spilf in the mouth. People do this not because they do not take the outbreak seriously; neither is it because they are oblivious to the agony of their countryman; it is because such action is a coping mechanism. Entertainment is a source of strength among Jamaica people. It eases the pain and stress that come with battling this 'angry' virus that is afflicting our nation.
This speaks to a greater thing about Jamaicans and it is the wealth and breadth of creativity and talent exist in this country. While we continue to struggle with high levels of crime and violence, corruption, harsh economic conditions, they are not what define us. We are defined by our resilience, the ability to rise above adversity, to unify and mobilise ourselves when there is an urgent need; our creativity and innovation, our survival instinct, and a host of others.
It would be remiss of me not to mention that we are also defined by that alluring and contagious more-than-a-smile laughter that radiates from us regardless of our circumstances. This gives credibility to the popular saying, "Jamaican, no problem". Simply put, we know how to laugh at ourselves.
As I write, this is one of the moments I feel extremely proud to be a Jamaican. I am also reminded that there is nothing wrong with us that cannot be fixed by what is right about us.
Dorraine Reid
rainereid@gmail.com
Laughter -- Jamaicans' medicine for coping with chik-V
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As the nation battles the rapidly spreading chikungunya virus, I am reminded of why people across the globe view Jamaicans as one of the happiest people in the world.
Since the outbreak, there have been many complaints ranging from the Ministry of Health's handling of the situation to the severity of symptoms faced by individual. As the 'angry' virus makes its way across our island, no one is spared its wrath. But, even in face of the unmitigating rage being levied by the virus, the nation's people will not take it sitting down. The proverb "tek kin teet kibba heart bun" is once more being manifested. How?
Most of us were ignorant to the term chikungunya until when the virus landed on our shores. Not only is it an unfamiliar word, the placement of the syllables are not common. Hence it come as no surprise that several people are having difficulty with its pronunciation. I have heard "chikagunya, "chickengunya", chikengunman", chikengonerrhea", and a host of others. A TV vox pop was hilarous to watch, but it speaks to the wittiness of our people. Our language is rich, and we have the propensity to engineer various words/slangs that always quickly spread adding to the Jamaican vocabulary.
A quick type of any of the words mentioned above in the Google search engine will reveal a plethora of images created by individuals poking fun at the virus. This is satire and theatre at its best. One picture captures the most popular of the term "chikengunman". The image of a rooster armed with firepower too large for its size, portrays the severity of the disease. Did I hear someone say "little but tallawah" or "small axe fall big tree"? This is the epitome of creativity and a stark reminder of the wealth of talent that exist in this country.
As the reggae and dancehall capital, our citizens have put pen to paper and penned several songs about the disease. The lyrics of the songs are filled with information regarding the origin, symptoms, treatment, and the effects of the disease on individuals. Powerful edu-tainment tool. I wish the Ministry of Health would capitalise on some of them in its public education campaign. It is guaranteed that the reach would be greater. As for the dance, like the images, social media is lighting up with videos of the male species doing what is called the chikungunya dance. Quite an hilarious one. Jamaican's dance repertoire is extensive and so it comes as no surprise a new dance is added.
An outsider may never understand it. A major part of being a Jamaican is an experience that takes root in the heart. Not just being a walking fashion show demonstrating black green and gold outfits accessorised by fake locks and a ganja spilf in the mouth. People do this not because they do not take the outbreak seriously; neither is it because they are oblivious to the agony of their countryman; it is because such action is a coping mechanism. Entertainment is a source of strength among Jamaica people. It eases the pain and stress that come with battling this 'angry' virus that is afflicting our nation.
This speaks to a greater thing about Jamaicans and it is the wealth and breadth of creativity and talent exist in this country. While we continue to struggle with high levels of crime and violence, corruption, harsh economic conditions, they are not what define us. We are defined by our resilience, the ability to rise above adversity, to unify and mobilise ourselves when there is an urgent need; our creativity and innovation, our survival instinct, and a host of others.
It would be remiss of me not to mention that we are also defined by that alluring and contagious more-than-a-smile laughter that radiates from us regardless of our circumstances. This gives credibility to the popular saying, "Jamaican, no problem". Simply put, we know how to laugh at ourselves.
As I write, this is one of the moments I feel extremely proud to be a Jamaican. I am also reminded that there is nothing wrong with us that cannot be fixed by what is right about us.
Dorraine Reid
rainereid@gmail.com
Laughter -- Jamaicans' medicine for coping with chik-V
-->