Kingston: A Cultural and Literary HistoryA cultural companion guide to Kingston, Jamaica in the 'Cities of the Imagination' series Kingston wrestles with the enduring legacy of colonial rags and riches, recent episodes of political strife and the occasional outburst of modern-day turf rivalry. Formerly the hub of Britain's Caribbean Empire, the Jamaican capital provides an intriguing cauldron of political, social and cultural excitement as one of the region's great cities. The dangerous domain of local Dons forms but a small part of Kingston's complex and vital presence, which extends far beyond the city's tenement yards and harbor walls. Proud of their city's renown as the birthplace of reggae and dancehall, Kingstonians have led the world in innovative music and performance art. The bristling edge of everyday life has proven fertile ground for a profusion of literary and cultural wealth - poets, writers, musicians and artists flow from the creative reservoirs of this rough-and-ready, savvy cityscape. David Howard charts a course through the city's offerings, from the stark divisions between uptown modernity and downtown's swashbuckling past, to the lively interweaving of local legends and international popular culture.. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 1 |
CHAPTER | 31 |
Port Royal 45 Ghosts and Ruins 48 The Waterfront Past and Present 50 | 50 |
UPTOWN | 95 |
CHAPTER FOUR | 117 |
CHAPTER FIVE | 138 |
CHAPTER | 165 |
CITY VISIONS | 193 |
CHAPTER EIGHT | 220 |
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African Anthony Anthony Trollope artists Bob Marley British buildings Busta Bustamante capital Caribbean Carnival celebrated centre century Church city's colonial colour contemporary crowd cultural Daily Gleaner dance dancehall decades downtown Kingston earthquake East Edna Edward Long former ganja Garvey ghetto Gleaner Half Way Tree Harbour Street hills Hope Road island Jamaican art Kenneth Pringle King Street Kingstonians labour Lane later Liguanea Plain lives London Lorna Goodison Manley's Marcus Garvey Michelle Cliff Mona neighbourhood night Norman Manley Norman Washington Manley Palisadoes Parade Park Patrick Leigh Fermor poem political Port Royal Portmore Ras Tafari Rasta recording reggae residents Sabina Park scene slavery slaves social sound system South Camp Road Spanish Town Spanish Town Road studio sugar Tivoli Gardens Trench Town Trollope uptown urban violence visitors Ward Theatre West Kingston writing yard