GUNGEHYARD.COM

 Distinguished guests, cultural ambassadors, artists, and beloved members of our Jamaican family— I stand before you today as Chief of the Furry Town Maroons, grounded in ancestral strength and guided by heritage, to pay tribute to a true cultural specialist—The Right Honourable Olivia “Babsy” Grange. Minister Grange is not simply a leader in title—she is a specialist in the art of nation-building through culture. With precision, passion, and purpose, she has curated, protected, and elevated Jamaica’s identity, ensuring that our traditions are not only preserved but empowered to thrive in a modern world. From the sacred rhythms of Maroon heritage to the pulsating energy of Kingston’s dancehall, she has mastered the delicate balance between preservation and progression. She understands that culture is not static—it is alive, and it must be guided by those with vision and discipline. Her work in reggae and dancehall stands as a testament to that expertise. During her tenure with SPEC...

 🌿🔥 MAROON BLOOD: RISE OF THE SANCTUARY 🔥🌿By Fabian Stennett  A Billboard-Style Blockbuster Story The drums thunder across Pumpkin Hill. The sky glows in Red, Gold, Green — and deep Burgundy. Four sacred colors. One unbreakable covenant. From Charles Town to Moore Town, from Scotts Hall to the warrior stronghold of Accompong, the banners rise. 🔴 Red — the blood of the ancestors. 🟡 Gold — the divine royalty within the people. 🟢 Green — the sacred mountains that sheltered freedom. 🟥 Burgundy — the royal Maroon standard of sovereignty and sacrifice. At the Great Reunion Fire, the Burgundy Banner is lifted high — bearing the sacred Court of Arms: ⚔️ The Rifle — defender of land and liberty. 🗡️ The Spear — ancestral courage and warrior spirit. 📯 The Abeng — the ancient horn whose sound once echoed through the hills, calling the Maroons to unity and resistance. The banner does not flutter. It commands. It remembers. It unites. 👑 Crown Prince Miguel Collins stands crowned ...

 Ballad of Mama Uda’s Kitchen Fire Written by Fabian Stennett Before the hills kissed morning light, And dew still clung to cane, Mama Uda woke the yard alive Before the cock crowed again. Her footsteps hummed on earthen floor, Soft as a chapel song, While coal-fire glowed beneath the pot Where hungry hearts belong. The coffee beat in the mata bowl, Rich scent fill the air, Mama Uda stir it strong and dark With loving hands and care. She grated cassava on the grater board, Steel teeth scrape so sweet, Back and forth with steady hands, Keeping old-time rhythm beat. Andrae run come through the yard, Barefoot in the dew, While Zandria laugh beside the gate, Calling, “Mama, how yuh do?” Little Aaliyah hold the spoon, Trying hard to stir, Monty wait beside the fire For the first roast breadfruit share. Windel split the coconut shell, Novelette season the pot, While rundown bubble thick and rich With all the love she got. Kingsley and Uncle Manzie Sit beneath the tree, Telling stories of...

Subject: Urgent Follow-Up Complaint – No Progress on ROOFS Grant Despite Full Submission of Documents, Photos & Videos – Tangle River Point, St. James Dear Minister / Sir or Madam, I am writing as a resident of Tangle River Point P.O., St. James, Jamaica, and as Chief of Furry Town Maroons, to formally complain about the severe and ongoing delay in receiving assistance under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. My home was totally demolished (or suffered severe damage) by the Category 5 hurricane. For  the last six months  I have been forced to live in makeshift conditions under tarpaulin or temporary shelter, fully exposed to the elements and at the mercy of mother nature. Our spirits are broken, and we have very limited means to rebuild without government support. The rest of the community in Tangle River Point and surrounding areas also continue to suffer greatly. Ma...

 Writing ABANDONED AFTER THE STORM: AUTHOR, FARMER, AND MAROON LEADER ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS By Fabian Stennett TANGLE RIVER POINT, ST. JAMES — Long after Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica, leaving destruction in its wake, another crisis continues to unfold—one far less visible, but equally devastating. It is the crisis of neglect, inequality, and silent suffering among those left behind. I am living that reality. The winds have passed, and the floodwaters have receded, but the trauma remains—deep, unhealed, and ongoing. For many of us in rural communities, survival has replaced living. Each day is marked by uncertainty, loss, and the growing fear of what tomorrow may bring. My home was severely damaged during the hurricane. Today, I stand on the edge of homelessness. This is not just my story. It is the story of countless farmers and families across Jamaica whose lives have been shattered. Crops destroyed. Livestock gone. Livelihoods erased overnight. Yet, while some ha...

WHO WATCHES THE WATCHERS? Body Cameras, Community Policing, and the Future of Public Trust By Fabian Stennett In any democratic society, policing operates on a simple but fragile foundation: public trust. Without it, even the most sophisticated crime-fighting strategies begin to erode. In Jamaica, where concerns about crime intersect with rising scrutiny of police conduct, two ideas have moved to the center of national discussion—body-worn cameras and community policing. These are not cosmetic reforms. They are essential tools for legitimacy, accountability, and effective law enforcement. The debate is not about whether the police should have authority. That is already established. The real question is how that authority is exercised—and how the public can be assured it is used fairly, lawfully, and proportionately. THE CASE FOR BODY-WORN CAMERAS Body-worn cameras represent one of the most practical mechanisms for bridging the gap between police narratives and public perception. In hig...