Cultural Groups Receive Musgrave Medals

Gold Musgrave medals have been awarded to four cultural groups, which represent the “richness, vibrancy and dynamism” of Jamaican culture, by the Institute of Jamaica.
The groups, the Rastafari Movement, the Accompong Maroons, St. Elizabeth; the Watt Town Revival Group, St. Ann; and the Port Morant Kumina Group, St. Thomas, were recognised for their accomplishments and sterling contributions to cultural development in Jamaica, at a ceremony, held at the Institute, on East Street, downtown Kingston, on May 28.
In her address, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, said that the folk forms have influenced all aspects of Jamaican life.
“These folk forms represent the richness, vibrancy and dynamism of our forebears, as they sought to maintain their African heritage while in distant foreign lands,” she said.
The medals were received by Ras Junior Manning, Bernice Henry, Bishop Robert Clarke and Colonel Sydney Peddie, on behalf of the Rastafari Movement, the Kumina and Revival groups, and the Maroons, respectively.
Citations were also read to them by Deputy Chariman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, Barbara Gloudon; Chairman of the African Caribbean Institute/Jamaica Memory Bank, Liberty Hall, Professor Rupert Lewis; Chairman, Museums of History & Ethnography, Dr. Rebecca Tortello; and Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, Dr. Alfred Sangster.
Bernice Henry of the Port Morant Kumina Group, St. Thomas, told JIS News that the Kumina movement will never die. She said the group has been making every effort to preserve the culture by encouraging young persons to learn about the movement.
“A fe we something and we have to make use of it. We have to keep our African culture,” she emphasised.
The event was organised by the Institute of Jamaica as part of its 130th anniversary celebrations.
The Gold Medal is awarded by the Institute of Jamaica in recognition of notable contributions in the fields of literature, science or the arts in Jamaica and the West Indies.