Cha Cha Ben - A Life In Kumina In St Thomas
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ค. 2021
- Cha Cha Ben has a gift that allows him to communicate with the ancestors. At 15, he excelled in the tradition and over the years, has witnessed the tremendous power in the Kumina. Cha Cha Ben's story is a lesson in St Thomas and Jamaican cultural history. #ChaChaBen #Kumina #StorytellingInTheTropics
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Thank you Cha Cha!! 💪🏿💖💎 May the Ancestors continue to guide & protect you 💕
Blessings Phoenix 🙏🏾
This is our Afrikan heritage. Nuff ah we mash up cause we reject it and tek on European dead kulcha. Wicked interview. Love it iyah.
Thanks 1720 🙏🏾
that's the truth
Much respect to you Allison for bringing this channel to the masses and for bringing Cha Cha Ben to the globe. I'm a Jamaican now living overseas, born in St. Thomas at the Princess Margaret hospital, grew up in Portland, went to Morant Bay High school in the 80's and as such, grew up on the Kumina culture and traditions between St. Thomas and Portland. I had a performance troupe for a number of years in Jamaica that also worked through the hotel circuit and performed my Kumina tradition at times in it's truest forms and never altered it for the tourist industry. I am still performing and practicing my culture and tradition despite being overseas and it's great to see the Kumina still going but I realise the dance aspect is a bit lacking at present and this was and is my strong point in the Kumina tradition.
I know of Ms. Bernice Henry due to my many years with my grandmother and family in Bath and Port Morant area and had family in Land Top too. I have watched her at times and admired the power in her and I am also aware of Cha Cha Ben very much but I was a person who was and always lowkey but very observant and do understand this tradition to an extent. It great to see Cha Cha Ben carrying the torch and I knew he would as I saw him played at times and knew what I saw. As Cha Cha Ben would say 'No Disrespect" (haha), I mean no disrespect when I say that when I knew of Cha Cha Ben years ago, let's just say he had some teeth missing (no disrespect Cha Cha Ben, haha), just showing my respect to you and let you be aware that I've known you for a long time, bless.
Allison, you asked a question about women playing the drums and I felt Cha Cha Ben didn't answer your question to it's fullest. He's correct with what he spoke about in this interview but that question about the women playing drums is a rather poignant one which needs to be answered correctly. I don't know how much Cha Cha Ben know of the profound background of this aspect and also the dancing but there are elements of the culture that needs to be understood. I will try to give some clarity in a simple way.
Women can play the drums but they do so sitting on a stool/chair etc. while playing the drum in an upright position. It varies through certain African traditions (Kumina included) and this way has been the respected format on how the female energy interacts with the drum. The women doesn't sit over the drum, traditionally. Maybe over a period of time, the culture shifted and allowed women to sit over the drum but they had to wear pants. I am speaking though from the purest and true form, women played the drum upright while sitting on another object. The repeater is originally played by men sitting on the drum but women played the same pattern in an upright manner while sitting on a stool etc. Certain cultures had a chair made especially for the women who also showed the status of that woman playing. KRU tribe in Liberia (where my great x 5 grandmother is from) and tradition in the Congo is where you can look. The issue of women sitting on the repeater is a shift over a period of time and that's understandable to keep and preserve the culture but in true traditional form, it's the men who sits on the drum. In the case of the Burundi culture, they played the drums standing due to the design of those drums within that culture. I also bring up the Burundi drummers because Cha Cha Ben's style of playing and using gestures and patterns are similar to the Burundi drummers which could be an indication that he may have genetic lines to them or simply anointed by the ancestors with these attributes to the drumming tradition. Please look into the Burundi drummers and see how they have even influenced the style of some rock music drummers in particular. Cha Cha Ben is a rare drummer.
Another aspect of the tradition is that when a woman is also in her state of mensturation, she isn't allowed to play the drum either and not only because of her cycle at the time, but also from an ancestral and spiritual perspective in regards to the element of blood being excreted from the body. So this isn't about a male dominant thing. This is how it has been for centuries and is the true traditions of our ancestors.
Another thing in regards to the dancing, when you create a dance circle, you dance anti-clockwise in the circle and the feet shuffling is an intricate part of the dancing and has a meaning. It's very symbolic and powerful and as a dancer, traditionally and professionally, I'm trying to share a bit of accurate information about these important aspect of the culture. The singing can be a mix of Kikongo and Kromantin language which is sometimes broken and represents the origin of the culture which is a fusion of cultures from the coast of Africa. I am also glad he mentioned the king and queen because that element is essential in the dance and tradition. St. Thomas (mainly) and part of Portland (eastern, Moore Town aka Nanny Town) is the root of the Kumina in Jamaica due the where the slaves and indentured slaves settles whereas St. Mary is the home of Gerebentah and the Jonkanoo dances but then spread out over a period of time. These are all dances from our African cultures and by the way, Africa isn't and wasn't the original name. The real and original name of the now Africa is Alkebulan. This is the period I'm taking you, your guest and your subscribers back to. Just like Jamaica. The proper name isn't Jamaica but it's actually XYAMAYCA. This place was originally inhabited by the Amerindians/Taino people before the transatlantic slave trade came into effect and then affect.
I hope the above information has helped someone and this interview nonetheless is a priceless one and I commend you Allison for creating this space to bring people like Chat Cha Ben to the wider globe and the culture at which we have to remember too, the Kumina culture is the culture that has kept it's purest form and wasn't infiltrated by the colonial world and it's people. Even to this day. From profoundly and intricately watching this interview, I feel Cha Cha Ben isn't telling you and the viewers everything, he's sharing what needs to be shared which is a trait of the culture and someone who's deep with it. He's within rights to do this and is a protective measure. I know this for a fact and much respect Cha Cha Ben. I know you'd be a legend in your own way.
Just a question Allison, did you attend the Morant Bay high school as you do look familiar and I'll get in touch with you to elaborate on this a bit more via your channel email. I do love what you're doing and if you're the same person I think you are from back in the days at school, I am not surprised you're doing this. It's your calling and I commend you for taking this direction to help and create a space for others to tell their story. Blessings to you and will be in touch via your channel email.
A true man, Cha Cha Ben me love when me go a dead yard when him a beat the drums. It nice me a tell you. I'm from Lyssons, St. Thomas.
Thanks for sharing!
Just brilliant 👏🏾 thank you! Cha Cha Ben played at my Father's 9nite just 2 years ago and boy was it something to see!! The energy, the authenticity, he does not disappoint and his talents spans generations! There are still many things that we can remain PROUD about from wi likkle St. Thomas. We thank you! 🙏🏽
Blessing chchbe I am vernie in New York looking and liesinthose was good time remember ww win burnic and take number one dust to darn seaforth st Thomas buyha mur yevet campus romiebuta mas yellow he died chacha Ben and I open Howell with genengeneyde Deon Marvin those was good days I wasthe puern
Chacha Ben need help. Lease help him
Thank you
Bless up unu self straight. This interview was a blessing. We have no right denying our Afrikan roots. Our linage and ancestry is our strength.
Blessings 🙏🏾😊
Captivating ❤Thanks for the knowledge
You’re welcome Sharon 🙏🏾😊
@@AllisonHarrisonTheSeries After listening to the interview I played couple episodes of Cha Cha playing the drums in the house for several hours. I grew up in Jamaica and didn’t get to experience any of this heritage.
This is probably the most comprehensive interview done in history on African religious retention in Jamaica . The kumima religion has been so secret , this is a real jewel. You can tell cha cha is holding back some of the deeper secrets ,but at the same time giving us just enough
Thanks for sharing. Very kind words blessings 🙏🏾😊
And he is right to do that! chamu yetu
Thank You for this!! We are powerful conjurers and can change and manifest the life we desire. I wish we were exposed to our African spirituality and practices.
We do still have our practise but it's different and the information is lost
Cha Cha me love you I know your worth love me boy always❤❤😅🎉😂😮😝🇨🇦
Much luv and appreciation for this interview. Cha Cha Ben played at my grandfather’s Kumina in 2011 in Retreat, St Thomas and that day opened up my path and reconnected me to the ancestors in a life changing way. Kumina is truly the hidden treasure of Jamaica 🇯🇲 I PRY WE GET THE RESPECT AND SUCCESS WE DESERVE❤
Thanks for sharing Queen Iminah. 🙏🏾
Do you have his number?
The best
Yenge means hello or peace in kikongo which it comes from does not spirit of di dead , just like kumina come from word lusakumunu or sakumunu ,Sakumuna, to bless ,to give blessings, to be blessed.
Kumina, pukumina, Bongo people fi seek di deeper ancestral authenticity of culture which it come from Bukongo of Bakongo people is were Kumina ,raggae music come from .
I was there that night at the girl and boy that was kill real talk him telling the truth that was a night to remember
Respect to the one and only cha cha ben brilliant man he is a african through and through he have the talent of his ancestors people don't know anything about their african culture,prospect and leith hall their way of life is like the african living in village and compound ....cha cha need to get some recognition ....✅
Respect 🙏🏾😊
Absolutely LOVE what you are doing for our jewel in the east! Thank you so much sistren! May the most high continue to bless you and your works! 🖤🖤🖤💚💚💚💛💛💛 The east is the best! If you know you know!
Blessings! 🙏🏾😊
I had always loved kumina no matter what people said about it. . I know it's from Africa so I always loved it. I learned a lot from this interview and am finally who name Chacha Ben. Am from St Thomas
Happy you were able to learn more. Thanks for taking the time to watch 🙏🏾😊
You don't look 61 you look younger lots of Jamaicans don't know there roots and culture and our culture is strong and powerful 💪 but there love wrong moves and wrong turn God bless Jamaica 🙏 ♥ ❤ 💖 💜 💕 🙏
We need to keep this alive. I learning to beat the drums now its amazingly beautiful
Happy you’re learning Qcs...keep going
I’m a drummer from birth and I’ve just got back into it in my early 20s now . I used to beat drum with my Grandad as a little your. Now I beat KUMINA all the time. I believe sacred African drumming can open you up to spiritual gifts also! I’m a medium
Cha cha talk truth kummina is a joyous vibe, myal is real ancestors enter the body to pass on messages but in everything there's good and bad.good kummina bad kummina good spirit bad spirit, will never forget paul burke deadyard people that died were talking thru the living,and you could hear there voice was scary but jus made the creator more worthy to worship and show respect to our ancestors
I need part two and three, all four to. I like that Cha Cha tells his own story. We always hearing stories of what happen when Cha Cha play...it was an intriguing chat, I was emersed. Love it
Thank you Lashawndla 🙏🏾😊
I feel like I could listen to 2 more hours of this conversation. Absolutely love it. Hoping there will be a part 2
Happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching! 😊
I would like to know about the kumina is playing and nobody is seen playing the drums,blessings mi boss
The best drummer in jamaica he has the awards to prove it bad bad bad drummer
I attended all his dead yards in Seaforth where he's from. He's the best indeed.
he's from prospect, he said it in the video
Seaforth primary kummina group and the cha cha ben group always winning first prize at the festival's in jamaica,quadrille may pole miss those festivals morant bay high had alot of talent 2002-2005 quadrille always dominating
God bless you cha cha.I can’t understand how a man who never get his mothers milk could be so strong,blessed.
Cha cha ben one off the best i ever see with my eyes 👀
Great video thanks so much. My bredrin is his cousin from St Thomas and he tell me about him respect
Respect!
This man, was born tobe successful and lead .His name is powerful and he is very intelligent this man is a good and clean person.
This is the sound that light my spirit 🖤
🖤🖤🖤
Come Cha Cha Arena we seh...
Big up cha cha ben,seaforth day cant done
This is such an amazing interview. Thanks so much for sharing about our culture 🙏🏾 Kumina is sometimes demonized and misunderstood. It’s great to hear his perspective. I think it’s a beautiful part of our culture. I hope it’s never replaced or forgotten about in Jamaican Society. I hope it’s passed down through generations. Bless. 🙏🏾
Thank you Ashley Blessings 🙏🏾😊
Big up uself Cha Cha Ben..i grew up between Prospect and Leith Hall with this guy..just brings me back to the days when I was a kid ..remembering Ma Jen kumina muma , Shem and back in the day when it was Kumina at every dead yard before bands start play these days brings back memories. Nuff love and respect Cha Cha keep the culture alive.
🙏🏾😊
Love and blessings him teach me of my people st thomas ......love it
Give thanks for this offering 🙏🏿 please do a follow-up into with cha cha Ben he's a natural,this is Jamaica 🇯🇲 heritage
I cannot wait for this lockdown to be over. Such mi cyaa guh back home fi ere sum a dis music.
You definitely should visit as soon as you can 🙏🏾😊
Wow ! Intriguing ! He should be on the global community concert !!
Hi Ms Harrison,
Greetings,
I'm from St. Thomas living in the states for many years and last year August while I was visiting in Jamaica, I've seen this gentleman for the first time playing at a dead yard and yes he played well. I must say this interview has given me a better understanding about kumina. I always like kumina but hearing persons talk about how it's not of God scared me away from it even though I still like it. This interview taught me a lot knowing that kumina is a good and bad thing and it's of my African heritage. Great understanding and great interview. I think I have a clip of him playing that night and I must say he has a pleasant personality. God bless and plz do more like this.
Thank you for your kind words 🙏🏾😊
@@AllisonHarrisonTheSeries you're most welcome 🙏
Just come across this interview and I am loving every moment grow up watching you playing at dead yard even for my dad who don’t miss your dead yard and always a play the grater, continue with drumming it’s your gift 💝
One of the best interviews Ever. Deep knowledge
Bless up cha cha and hopefully we’ll get to see more of this
The best from eastern st.Thomas,o💙💙
🙏🏾😊
The man is a legend, legendary. No joke.. talented powerful outstanding.
Nice documentary 🇯🇲🔥
Cha cha beni love it
That is so true cha cha I all way follow when you play,
Big up yourselves cha cha ben
Bless up cuz
been searching for your channel from that day
Thank you for this
You’re welcome 🙏🏾
Allison, the only, only thing missing, is to have Cha Cha playing some Kumina for the final segment!!lol
Wow! Awesome! Thank you for sharing this video. I would really love to meet Cha Cha Ben. Love and blessings to everyone.
I know cha cha ben we grown up together, I am living now in Montegobay but st Thomas is where I was born and grown up,cha cha Ben very nice and friendly guy every one that know him will shear those same sentiments,respect cha cha ben.
Blessings 🙏🏾😊
Great show
This is an amazing interview!!
Thank you Danielle 🙏🏾😊
Love this interview
Blessings Empress Divine
I grew in Prospect St Thomas as a child.My Aunt lived in Johns Town she used to dance Kumina. They used to sing a song,The lead singer sing .A who do this thing.the other singers answered ,(after we no drink no rum ya sah,) The lead singer sings again ,yuh lie yuh lie yuh lie,the singers answered again, (after we no drink no rum ya sah) Kumina was something special, A special bond with the Spirit of the person who died.
Thanks for sharing Danavan 🙏🏾
From in the early sixties i know about kumina. Family members used to beating de drums dem. Just drums. Either at little function and dead yard. Yes back in dem days some people do say sometimes not good. People get into the spirt. In st thomas where i did grew up. Bless to dat man.
1CHACHA 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Another good interview
Thanks for watching 🙏🏾😊
Up top family.you a good man .jah love
Blessings
Thank you for bringing light to my parish alli♥️
Thank you for your kind words... blessings 🙏🏾😊
" Thanks For These Videos Ms.Harrison." 🅰️🅰️🅰️
Blessings Anne! 😊
Thank you for this content Allison. It was very informative and interesting. The King Of Kumina! Cha Cha Ben played at my grandfather's nine night 26yrs ago and my mother's 16yrs ago in St.Thomas. Much respect to him 🙏🏾
Yes one of the original bernicey that passed it on. Rip funny lady from bath
Thanks
Bless up every time keep up the good work God bless
Blessings 🙏🏾😊
Thank you for covering this wonderful subject. Please can you make videos about the different African spirituality/religion/culture in Jamaica that may have played a role in helping people to resist slavery through insurrection or even just in a psychological sense? I would like to understand more about the role that African spirituality/culture played in the resistance of people and how European Christian Protestantism worked against us to keep us passive ❤
powerful
Amazing interview....hoping to visit St. Thomas soon.
Blessings Nadiesha! St Thomas looks forward to your visit
MI love this bad mi and cha cha play drum together at 4 of my family members dead yard
Appreciate the comment. Thanks 🙏🏾😊
Cha Cha Ben, you remember Carol, Delia's father. This is his wife. I saw the video and I know your face, but you were younger when I met you.
I’m absolutely new to this page but wow, I never expected this interview to be so insightful, this was absolutely amazing.
Blessings Andre 🙏🏾😊
Allison Harrison , thank you so much for this, literally just discovering your channel. This interview that you did with the Great Cha Cha Ben is beyond words! Thank you. Thanks to Cha Cha Ben for initiating us (the audience) into the ways of Kumina. I had the distinct pleasure of sharing the very same seat with Cha Cha in Bath, ....it was at "Bad Lord" Kumina. Big up Cha Cha evrytime!
Thank you 🙏🏾😊
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤blessed
A beleve in it too
Shalom/Peace family
Blessings 🙏🏾😊
Ah Pug Morris I was trying to remember. Miss Redel husband.
First time hearing that word Myal
Allison yuh a gwaan enuh Ms. Harrison.
🙏🏾😊 Blessings
@@AllisonHarrisonTheSeries Thanks for your stories. Nuh bagga chatting and interjections... refreshing work.
❤️❤️
My dear Allison Harrison .....this interview is out of this world!.......I hope Cha Cha is reading this!!
It's time for us to see/heat Chacha Ben on the drums. Will that ever happen?
Before Bernice was Imogene Kennedy aka Coolie Gyal Kumina Queen
Thanks for this important info Kemar
Yes miss Imo is who I grew up to know
🗝💙
💛💛💛💛
You affi tell your own tales Cha Cha Ben...
I want a Link with him think i want to keep one at home longtime we dont dweet
Red and black are war and funeral colours amongst the Ashanti, which is pretty interesting!
It would be nice to hear him play the drum .
Cha -Cha-Ben do you play out?
Who can i find you are know when you knock the drums ?
What is Myal? What is it to catch Myal? I know Professor Rex Nettleford and have attended many of his cultural seminars.
Bembe, Byron, Cherry, Miss Gloria, inna district.-Prospect. Hail up Brady for me. You still look good though. I saw a video
I saw a video with Cougar and my son Brad the other day. Go ahead Cha Cha Ben.
You favor you father though.How is "Big Joe?"
This dude resemble di people dem from Papua New Guinea.
I recognize some words because I practice Palo Mayombe the kongo tradition in Cuba
Such rich tradition out of Cuba Uncle Leroy 🙏🏾
Do you know the word mapalé mean? I have it in a kumina song
@@Barrerahaddadariel Kumina means to arrive in Kikongo
@@rodrigorodders7173 but mapale what does it mean?
@@Barrerahaddadariel I am still doing some research I’ll some people who are more fluent in kikongo
How to reach cha-cha ben?
Picked up a lot more Jamaican accent in his voice right away. Crucian Patois is unique, but his voice is dominated by the Jamaican patois.
Crucian?
@@micayahritchie7158 People from the Virgin Islands are known as "Crucians". At the time I watched this, I misunderstood the St Thomas reference to mean the USVI island...
@@TimTimTomTom this is a parish in Jamaica, st Thomas!
That man is my uncle
A Wakkle fence dat in a di background? (Allison (watching again :))..."Wakkle is the name for it...yes it is bamboo...but the name for it is "Wakkle", if there are old persons you can ask them"
No. It’s Bamboo