‘Boonoonoonus’ birthday bash

A papier-mâché replica of folklorist Miss Lou more than 20 years ago by students and teachers of the Louise Bennett-Coverley Primary continues to be a centrepiece at the school’s yearly celebration and showcase of the late cultural icon.

Patricia Grindley, a teacher and the school’s cultural agent, was in a preparation mode Tuesday gathering supplies for activities for today’s celebration of the 103rd anniversary of Miss Lou’s birthday.

Dubbed ‘Miss Lou Day’, the celebrations will include a special devotion session as well as cultural performances of songs such as Long Time Gal and Evening Time and the viewing of cultural corners highlighting Bennett-Coverley’s theatre life and other legacy contributions.

Grindley has been involved in Miss Lou celebrations at the primary school for 20 of her 26-year tenure at the institution. One of her most cherished memories was when the school was renamed from Gordon Town All Age. She said that the pride students and staff felt was unmatched.

“Just the joy of listening to the children sometimes saying a poem that you would have taught them. You take them to perform and they do so well and persons applaud them,” she said, adding that it was similar to a proud parent moment as it motivated her.

“I think it’s inborn for me, I just love culture, music, dance, drama. Anything that has to do with that is just me. I was born for this,” she boasted.

Bennett-Coverley has been lauded for popularising Patois, the Jamaican dialect, as a bona fide language, leveraging it in poetry and song to explore profound issues such as colonialism, independence, and identity - often with comedic colour.

A recent RJRGLEANER Group-Don Anderson poll ranked her neck and neck, at 29 per cent each, with late reggae superstar Bob Marley as worthy of being the next national hero.

Acting principal Tanya Lynch Davis said that a typical Miss Lou Day at the Gordon Town school was filled with high levels of student interaction.

This year’s activities will include a story time session and a listening party of Miss Lou recordings while students sample sardine fritters and enjoy limeade. Drama students will also showcase their talent at a concert.

“We do have some students who will come as close as looking like Miss Lou ... so we tend to look for those students and highlight them. We have students who know the poems verse by verse, word for word, and we really acknowledge them at that time,” Lynch Davis said.

Throughout the year, students are taught at least three poems and are challenged to recite them. They are also urged to craft poetry of their own.

Although the uniform incorporates the Jamaican bandanna, students are encouraged to attend school dressed in the full traditional attire that was a trademark of Bennett-Coverley. The red and white plaid fabric is a symbol of native pride, especially during the Independence holidays.

The children, Lynch Davis said, are always in high spirits, enthused by the wide range of activities in store.

“The teachers are deeply involved. They always look forward to this day and we are just out and bubbly,” she said.

The principal expects that new students and grade two and three pupils will be particularly intrigued by the celebration. The festivities were not stage for the last two years because of COVID-19 health and safety restrictions.

Lynch Davis said that although enough funds have not been invested in the school’s cultural and artistic programmes, teachers remained steadfast in maintaining traditions. She is also hopeful for greater collaboration to assist the school’s programmes.

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission has planned a month of activities to commemorate Bennett-Coverley’s 103rd birthday, including a gathering by her grave at National Heroes Park and the unveiling of a bust at The University of the West Indies’ Main Library today.

asha.wilks@gleanerjm.com