Tag Archives: Beji-Nite-Church

We Won’t Let Them Die!

Posted on May 9, 2011 by | 12 Comments

“Lord” Byron Downing as he appeared in an interview from 2008.

We usually equate the Ukulele with the famous Hawaiian singers.

With the news of the death of one of the few remaining Panamanian Calypsonians, “Lord” Byron Downing, we can’t help but feel even more motivated and convinced that they are gone but not forgotten. We are also convinced of the great importance of preserving our wonderful Westindian heritage here in Panama and for the entire world to recognize and cherish. Continue reading →

→ 12 Comments

Posted in Calypso-from-Panama, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Music of Panama

Tagged , , , , ,

Secretly Hoping

Posted on March 1, 2011 by | 2 Comments

The same passion for marching in the November 3rd parade shows on the faces of our youth today as in my time.

I can identify with these younger boys who yearn to join the older kids in the November 3rd parade.

Throughout this period I kept up with my mechanical dentistry trade secretly hoping that I could learn enough to open my own small business at home.  In this day and age, with so many people wanting to establish their own fairly lucrative home business, I can identify with their sentiments completely.  I yearned deeply for a chance at independence. Continue reading →

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Church in Panama, Instituto Nacional de Panamá

Tagged , , , , ,

The National Institute of Panama

Posted on February 16, 2011 by | 5 Comments

Instituto Nacional de Panamá with its familiar double Sphinxes guarding the entrance. Image thanks to skyscrapercity.com, a forum for architects.

The experience of just entering a school as famous as The National Institute of Panama made me feel reassured that I had a place in the history of that institution. My family history, after all, had been seeded with the essence of that school with my Uncle Eric Reid being one of the first to brave what it had meant to be one of the sons of Panama and a member of the institution in its early days. Continue reading →

→ 5 Comments

Posted in Instituto Nacional de Panamá

Tagged , , , ,

The Importance of Lineage and Ancestry

Posted on October 4, 2009 by | 5 Comments
Our ancestors have left behind for us all their
love and dedication and years of struggle in Panama,
as can be seen in this touching inscription on a mother’s tomb
in Corozal Cemetery in Panama.


One of the facets of African derived religion that I have found missing from the Panamanian Westindian Beji-Nites as opposed to the Hispanic brand of African religions in the Americas has been that of the inclusion of our African ancestors in their ceremonies. It was when I became involved with a Latino Spiritual Center (Centro Espiritual) that I would become aware of the importance of having our African ancestors revealed during the ceremonies. Continue reading →

→ 5 Comments

Posted in West Indian Panamanians

Tagged , ,

Ancestors, the Divine Creator and Us

Posted on September 29, 2009 by | Leave a comment
Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr.
Publisher, Journalist, Activist
and Africanist. He is also of the
ONH (Order of National Hero) in Jamaica.
Image: wikipedia

The idea that included us, the living, united with our African ancestry was for me revolutionary indeed, and it started to clarify things for me much later. It was then and only then that I became involved with my African-ness.  Continue reading →

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Beji-Nite-Church, West Indian Panamanians

Tagged , ,

African Derived Spiritual Home and Schooling

Posted on September 27, 2009 by | Leave a comment


It has always been my belief that the lack of that ingrained sense of a cultural heritage in us Panamanian Westindians has been due to the missing factor of home and schooling. Home schooling had always been an integral part of our make-up in the early years of our history, however as that marvel of the world the Panama Canal evolved, the issue of our home becoming part of our cultural and spiritual lesson plan became less important or non existent. Continue reading →

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Beji-Nite-Church, West Indian Panamanians

Tagged , ,