The Institute of Jamaica is a revered government edifice from colonial days, dedicated to “the encouragement of Literature, Science and Art.” The Science part of it includes the Natural History Museum of Jamaica, and I am a Board Member.
So last week the Institute’s Staff Awards took place at the quite modern Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport building. I felt that Board Members should be present to support those who work at the many and various entities that make up the Institute: the National Gallery of Jamaica, the African Caribbean Institute, Marcus Garvey’s Liberty Hall, the Junior Centre, and more. I was prepared to be sitting uncomfortably for hours, slightly bored.
Far from it. The ceremony started quite formally, but then picked up speed. The tempo became quite lively. The whoops and cheers started when the awards were given out. The Permanent Secretary (that’s the most senior civil servant at the Ministry) was there. He was completely hilarious and not in the least pompous. My fellow Board Member and I found ourselves splitting our sides with laughter at his sly humour.
There was special applause for the two awardees who had dressed in beautiful satin gowns for the occasion. One, in aqua silk and lace, was referred to as “the Mermaid” after her appearance.
However, the star of the show was the Long Service Awardee, Mr. Winston Gibbs, popularly known as “Ants,” who had been working at the Institute’s Junior Centre since November 22, 1982 (“That’s before I was born!” said one audience member) and was about to retire. He received not only a large and gorgeous perspex award, for which a new shelf would have to be built at home, but some mysterious envelopes, whose contents were unknown. We guessed that one of them might be a weekend for two at a lovely hotel on the North Coast.
Ants was so overwhelmed by the occasion that tears sprang to his eyes. (Note: almost every Jamaican man, and many Jamaican women, has a nickname. How Mr. Gibbs acquired the nickname “Ants” one does not know. In fact, quite often the origin of such nicknames is obscure. But somehow they stick. I will have to write more about this, another time).
Musically speaking, we had a rendition of “The Impossible Dream,” which everyone loved and swayed along to (I can’t say it really moves me). However, the keyboardist played and sang one song that no one seemed very familiar with, but which is among my favourites - the poignant “Why Can’t We Live Together” by Timmy Thomas, a seventies classic with lyrics that still resonate. With its staccato rhythm and moody vocals, there is a later, smoothed-over version by Sade, which lacks the edge of the original.
No more wars, no more wars/All we want is some peace in this world
No matter what colour/You are still my brother
Everyone wants to live together/Why can’t we live together?
Fantastic sis! What a wonderful slice of life! BIG UP Mr. Ants!
A lovely post and a great song!