Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture

In this episode I speak with Professor Keja Valens in regard to the online exhibit on Provisions. Bio: KEJA VALENS is a professor of English at Salem State University. She has published numerous works on Caribbean literature, women’s history, sexuality and diasporic identity, including the books Desire between Women in Caribbean Literature and Querying Consent: Beyond Permission and Refusal. https...

In this episode, I speak with Daniel Livesay about his enlightening book, "Children of Uncertain Fortune," which reveals aspects of Caribbean history that are often overlooked, particularly the lives of mixed-race individuals during slavery. This narrative sheds light on a complex and nuanced chapter of our heritage that is rarely acknowledged in mainstream historical discourse. We delve into how...

In this episode, we delve into Caribbean history with Retired History Professor Candice Goucher, who discusses her book "Congotay! Congotay! A Global History of Caribbean Food." We explore how food intertwines with identity, heritage, and the impact of colonialism on Caribbean culture. Candice shares engaging stories and perspectives that illuminate the significance of Caribbean food traditions in...

In this episode, explore the importance of family genealogy in understanding our personal and collective Caribbean heritage. Join Katrina Burchell, CEO of the Pernicious Anemia Society, as we discuss how this hereditary condition impacted her family's history, connecting it to broader themes of Caribbean colonization and identity. Through her story, we uncover essential aspects of Caribbean histor...

In this episode, we dive into Duppy Stories with co-founders Dr. Judith Bruce-Golding and Sue Brown. This podcast explores the significant connection between these traditional Caribbean stories and our ancestry, notably the influence of colonialism on our collective heritage. Duppy Stories examines the origins of African and Caribbean narratives, their rich spirituality, and their profound effect...

In this episode, we delve into the innovative We Are Here application designed to preserve family history and enhance Caribbean genealogy. Join me as I speak with the creators of this groundbreaking app that allows users to store their family heritage and conduct thorough research into their ancestral roots. Launching at the end of 2023, the We Are Here application is set to become an essential re...

In this intriguing episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris delves into Caribbean folklore with a focus on "The Duppy Ah Come," a story that explores the intersections of Caribbean history and cultural beliefs. Join Wendy as she speaks with Emma Kathryn from Nottinghamshire, UK, to uncover the meanings behind this folklore and its implications for understanding colonialism's influen...

In this episode, we delve into the names of enslaved Africans as recorded on baptism and slave registers, exploring their significance within Caribbean history and family genealogy. Professor Kwasi Konadu joins us to discuss the meanings behind these names and their representations of African identity in the Caribbean context. Join us as we uncover the importance of these names in understanding bo...

In this episode, we delve into the pivotal topic of emancipation and the apprenticeship system in the British Caribbean with Dr. Dexter Gabriel. Discover how these historical processes shaped Caribbean history and influenced family genealogy throughout the region. Dr. Gabriel sheds light on the lasting legacies of colonialism and discusses the importance of understanding our heritage as we explore...

In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris interviews Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, the CEO of the Sickle Cell Anemia Association of Ontario. They explore the significance of hereditary conditions like sickle cell anemia within the context of Caribbean history and family heritage. Understanding how genetics affect Caribbean families provides essential insights into our shared history and...

Verona Spence-Adofo is the co-founder of Ancestral Voices, an educational initiative dedicated to documenting and disseminating research-based knowledge about African sacred cosmologies, their spiritual philosophies, and practices. In this episode, we delve into the significance of **Caribbean history** and its impact on **family genealogy** through the lens of Anansi stories. These tales not only...

In this episode of Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris speaks with Dr. Victoria Barnett-Woods, an Assistant Teaching Professor at Loyola University Maryland specializing in literature of the long eighteenth century. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of Caribbean history and how it intersects with family genealogy, including the legacies of colonialism that shape our understanding o...

In this episode of Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast, we dive into the profound impact of British parliamentary legislations on enslaved women during the 1700s and 1800s. I speak with Dr. Justine K Collins, a Legal Historian and Postdoctoral Researcher & Lecturer at SOAS University of London, Faculty of Law, who specializes in the intersections of colonialism and family history. Dr. Collins sheds li...

In this episode of Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Justine K Collins, a Postdoctoral Researcher & Lecturer at SOAS University of London. They delve into the intricacies of the Barbados Slave Code from the 1660s, examining its role in shaping Caribbean history and its deep-rooted connections to colonialism. Together, they explore h...

In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris speaks with Dr. David Beck Ryden, a prominent Associate Professor of History at the University of Houston – Downtown. With degrees in Economics and History, Dr. Ryden's expertise lies in the intricate narratives of British American slave societies. Join us as we delve into his research on manumission in late eighteenth-century Jamaica...

In this episode, join me as I speak with Robin R Foster about her insightful book, My Best Genealogy Tips: Finding Previously Enslaved Ancestors. We delve into the world of family genealogy and discuss effective strategies for tracing your heritage, particularly when it comes to uncovering the stories of ancestors from the Caribbean who were formerly enslaved. Discover valuable resources and tips...

In this episode, we delve into colonialism and Caribbean history with renowned genealogist Paul Crooks. Mr. Crooks is not only an author but a passionate speaker who has dedicated over 13 years to uncovering the rich narratives of African Caribbean genealogy. His groundbreaking journey led him to be the first individual of African Caribbean descent to trace his ancestry back to his enslaved ancest...

In today's episode, I will be speaking with Carlston Walters of Caribbean Family History, a group dedicated to Caribbean genealogy. This organization assists family history researchers in overcoming their obstacles in tracing their roots. Join us as we delve into the significance of family history and how it intertwines with Caribbean heritage. Carlston shares valuable tips for navigating the chal...

In today's episode, I will be speaking with Carlston Walters of Caribbean Family History, a group dedicated to Caribbean genealogy. This organization assists family history researchers in overcoming their obstacles in tracing their roots. Join us as we delve into the significance of family history and how it intertwines with Caribbean heritage. Carlston shares valuable tips for navigating the chal...

In today's episode, we're diving into Caribbean history as I speak with Dr. Kofi Barima, an assistant professor at Jackson State University specializing in Public History and the Atlantic World. We explore the significant role of Obeah in Jamaica's slave revolt and its broader impact on freedom and identity in the Caribbean. Join us as we uncover the connections between Obeah, colonialism, and the...

In this episode, I speak with Robin R Foster about her newly published book, 'My Best Genealogy Tips: Quick Keys to Research Family Ancestry'. We delve into key strategies for navigating family genealogy research, emphasizing how to effectively uncover your ancestry. Bio: Robin is dedicated to helping you navigate the challenges of family history research and find resources to identify your ancest...

In this episode, we delve into an important aspect of Caribbean history with Dudley McLean II, who discusses his thought-provoking article for the Jamaica Observer, "Blacks Owned Slaves." This conversation unpacks the complexities of heritage and family history within the context of colonialism, revealing how these narratives have shaped modern Jamaican identity.  Join us as we explore the realiti...

In this episode, we speak with Retired History Professor Jennifer H S Brown from the University of Winnipeg. We discuss the importance of understanding your family history, drawing insights from the book about her ancestor, Col. William Marsh, co-authored with her late husband, Wilson B Brown. This exploration leads us on a journey uncovering Jennifer's 5x Grandfather and the possible connection t...

In this episode, we dive deep into exploring Jamaican ancestry with genealogy expert Phillip Nichols. As a specialist in Jamaican, Barbadian, and British genealogy, Phillip shares essential tips on how to start your family research. He is currently pursuing his graduate studies in Library and Information Science at the University of Maryland, having earned his Master’s degree in Comparative &...

In this episode I am speaking with Laban T M'mbololo on the inspiration of writing. Laban T. M’mbololo, Esq. began his writing journey way back in grade school where he always emerged tops and got special recognition for good composition writing. This went on into high school, he then rose to assume the mantle of leadership of journalism club as its chairman and later became financial secretary of...