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 A Lecture in Tribute to David "Kukudoo" McDermott Delivered by Fabian Stennett, Chief of Furry Town, on behalf of the Jamaican Maroon Community Good afternoon. I want to begin not with sentiment, but with a question worth serious study: how does a nation preserve its spiritual memory when so much of that memory was never written down? For the Maroon people, and for Jamaica's Revivalist tradition more broadly, the answer has always been sound — song, rhythm, and voice functioning as archive. Today I want to examine one man's contribution to that archive: David "Kukudoo" McDermott, born and raised in the March Pen area of Spanish Town, St Catherine.   First, consider his origin. Kukudoo did not begin in a recording studio. He began at a nine-night — the "dead yard" gathering where communities keep vigil for the dead — when a church band's performance was captured on tape by an engineer present that evening.  This is not incidental biography; it ...

Statement of Condolence Issued by Fabian Stennett, Chief of Furry Town Maroons, on behalf of the Maroons of St. James and St. Elizabeth The Maroons of St. James and St. Elizabeth join the nation and the wider reggae fraternity in mourning the passing of Fantan Mojah (Owen Lennox Moncrieffe), a proud son of St. Elizabeth whose voice carried the spirit of Rastafari, resilience, and truth to the world. Fantan Mojah's journey — from White Hill to international stages — embodied the same fighting spirit that has always defined our Maroon heritage: the will to rise, to speak truth to power, and to remain rooted in identity and faith no matter the distance travelled. His music gave voice to struggles and hopes shared across our communities, and his passing leaves a silence that will be deeply felt. On behalf of the Maroons of St. James and St. Elizabeth, we extend our deepest condolences to his children, family, the Bobo Ashanti community, and all who loved him through his music. May his ...

 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...

Dear Prime Minister, I write this public letter with a heavy heart, not only as a citizen, but as someone directly affected by the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. While the winds have died down and the floodwaters have receded, the trauma remains—deep, unhealed, and ongoing. For many of us, survival has replaced living, and uncertainty shadows each passing day. The psychological impact of this disaster cannot be overstated. Families have been displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and hope steadily eroded. Yet what deepens this wound is not only the hurricane itself, but the unequal and unjust response to those left behind. It has become painfully clear that the system of hurricane relief is flawed by bias and imbalance. We are told that all citizens are equal, yet in practice, some receive swift assistance while others are left waiting indefinitely. This disparity mirrors a troubling reality—one where equality exists in principle, but not in action. As a resident of Tangle Rive...

  GANGUNJAH NEVADYE (FABIAN STENNETT) – OFFICIAL BIO, PRESS KIT & LINKS Stage Name: Gangunjah Nevadye Legal Name: Fabian Stennett Artist | Author | Cultural Historian | Founder | Maroon Heritage Advocate BIOGRAPHY Gangunjah Nevadye, born Fabian Stennett, is a Jamaican author, recording artist, and cultural historian dedicated to preserving and promoting Maroon heritage and Jamaican identity. With a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural advocacy, his work spans literature, music, and media production. Through his books and sound, he highlights the legacy of the Maroon people, the struggles of the oppressed, and the importance of historical truth. Operating under his stage name Gangunjah Nevadye, he continues to build a creative legacy that merges education, activism, and entertainment. MISSION To preserve Maroon and Jamaican cultural history, advocate for social awareness, and use creative expression to inspire unity, resilience, and truth. LITERARY WORKS Fabian Stennet...

  Western Mirror Jamaica 'GANGUNJAH' the man of many names and titles No. 60 Monday, March 1, 2010 When he was first introduced to the Montego Bay entertainment fraternity, he was known as Nevadye (Never Die) because of his indomitable spirit to survive the curse of the dancehall which has witnessed many untimely ends to the career of many of its icons. It was his ever-changing opinions and philosophies on life that made him change his name to Ganguhgeh.    After another era, he is now known as Gangunjah. However, on his birth certificate are the name Windell Fabian O. Stennett. When he later became a Rastafarian Ethiopian Orthodox by faith, he was sealed with the baptismal name Ahadu Amlak which means 'One The Holy One Of God'. His mother never gave him his names for granted. She called him Windel because it means basket or Angel of Mercy and Death; Fabian means cautiously persistent and is also a social order dedicated to changing society slowly. Before his music sojo...

 [09/04, 05:22] Gangunjah Nevadye: GANGUNJAH NEVADYE (FABIAN STENNETT) OFFICIAL BIO | PRESS KIT | MEDIA PROFILE STAGE NAME: Gangunjah Nevadye LEGAL NAME: Windell Fabian O. Stennett ALSO KNOWN AS: Nevadye (“Never Die”) | Ganguhgeh | Rubyn James | Ahadu Amlak | CAVEY Hunta (Kuntryman / Calabar) TITLE: Chief Fabian Stennett Artist | Author | Cultural Historian | Maroon Chieftain | Dub Poet | Media Producer | Advocate 📍 Address: Tangle River, Point P.O., St. James, Jamaica, W.I. 📞 Phone: +1 (876) 315-2467 📧 Emails: gungehyard@yahoo.com stennettfabian@gmail.com fabianstennett@gmail.com udacocom@yahoo.com 🌐 Social Media: @GangunjahNevadye (All Platforms) BIOGRAPHY Gangunjah Nevadye, born Windell Fabian O. Stennett, is a Jamaican author, recording artist, cultural historian, and Maroon chieftain whose life and work are rooted in ancestral legacy, resistance, and truth. Originally known as Nevadye (“Never Die”) for his indomitable spirit within Jamaica’s competitive dancehall space, hi...

 📣 FEATURE ARTICLE Title: 🔥 From the Mountains to the Mic: How Chief Fabian Stennett (Gangunjah Nevadye) Is Rewriting the Future of Black Cultural Identity Byline: By Skywide Peace Editorial | August 2025 — In a world where historical erasure and cultural commodification continue to threaten Black identity, one voice is rising from the hills of Jamaica — deep, rhythmic, and ancestral — to call forth a global renaissance. His name is Chief Fabian Stennett, also known as Gangunjah Nevadye, and he is more than a poet, more than a Maroon chieftain — he is a messenger for a people whose history refuses to die. With the explosive release of four groundbreaking books — Maroon Poetic History, Modern Maroons of Jamaica, Maroon Book of Eulogies: Part 1, and Maroons: Paving the Way — and a forthcoming protest anthem “Road Fulla Hole,” Stennett is quickly becoming one of the most important cultural voices of this generation. From the valleys of Tangle River to the digital shelves of Amazon a...

  The Caribbean, Memory, and the Elegant Theater of Resistance By Fabian Stennett "The Caribbean consistently invaded. Haiti and the Jamaica Maroons will become more consistently featured in development—if I can handle my part of this elegant theater." Prologue: The Curtain Never Closed History is not a textbook. It’s a stage. A living, pulsing, ever-unfolding stage. And in this elegant theater, the Caribbean has never had the luxury of silence or rest. From the crash of colonial ships to the coded chants of resistance, the region has been invaded—not only by empires, but by erasures, simplifications, and distortions. But we are still here. And our memory? It’s sharper than myth, deeper than trauma, and more urgent than ever. This is not just an article—it’s a call to those of us who write, teach, organize, create, or simply remember. If we handle our part, the Maroons and the revolutionaries, the poets and the prophets, will not only return—they’ll lead. Act I:...

📣 FEATURE ARTICLE Title: 🔥 From the Mountains to the Mic: How Chief Fabian Stennett (Gangunjah Nevadye) Is Rewriting the Future of Black Cultural Identity Byline: By Skywide Peace Editorial | August 2025 — In a world where historical erasure and cultural commodification continue to threaten Black identity, one voice is rising from the hills of Jamaica — deep, rhythmic, and ancestral — to call forth a global renaissance. His name is Chief Fabian Stennett, also known as Gangunjah Nevadye, and he is more than a poet, more than a Maroon chieftain — he is a messenger for a people whose history refuses to die. With the explosive release of four groundbreaking books — Maroon Poetic History, Modern Maroons of Jamaica, Maroon Book of Eulogies: Part 1, and Maroons: Paving the Way — and a forthcoming protest anthem “Road Fulla Hole,” Stennett is quickly becoming one of the most important cultural voices of this generation. From the valleys of Tangle River to the digital shelves of Amazon and th...

📄 CURRICULUM VITAE Chief Fabian Stennett (Windell Fabian O. Stennett) Also Known As: Gangunjah Nevadye | Ahadu Amlak Or CAVEY Hunta(kuntryman or Calabar.) Address: Tangle River, Point P.O., St. James, Jamaica, W.I. Phone: +1 (876) 315-2467 Email: • gungehyard@yahoo.com • stennettfabian@gmail.com • fabianstennett@gmail.com • udacocom@yahoo.com Social Media: @GangunjahNevadye (All Platforms) — 🧭 PROFILE SUMMARY Chief Fabian Stennett is a multi-hyphenated cultural guardian, Maroon chieftain, reggae/dub poet, author, eulogist, educator, and certified disaster responder. With over four decades of experience in creative arts, cultural preservation, public service, and youth development, he has led a vibrant career combining oral tradition, academic discipline, and grassroots leadership. He is a published author, certified communicator, award-winning performer, and a voice for the voiceless. — 🔑 AREAS OF EXPERTISE Public Speaking & Cultural Education Maroon Heritage & Afro-Caribbea...

The Map Is a Lie: Reclaiming the World Through Africa's True Size By Fabian Stennett Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to have your mind stretched—and your worldview reshaped. For over 450 years, we’ve been looking at the world through a lie. Not a small lie. Not a mistake. A deliberate distortion —one so wide spread and embedded in our schools, textbooks, offices, and even our memories, that we stopped questioning it. That lie? That Europe is the center of the world . That the West is big, important, powerful . That Africa is small —geographically, economically, politically. Well, today we expose that lie. And we replace it with truth. 📜 The Map That Misled the World In 1569, cartographer Gerardus Mercator unveiled a map that would shape the global imagination for centuries. It helped sailors navigate seas — yes. But it also helped empires dominate minds . The Mercator Projection blew up the size of Europe and North America, while shrinking Africa , Latin America, a...