FIRST STOP,
CULTURE YARD
In 2007, Trench Town’s Culture Yard had the distinction
of being Jamaica’s First Inner City Heritage Tourism
product, an initiative through the vision of the Trench Town
Development Association (TTDA). The yard located at 6 &
8 Lower First Street had always served as a community yard
then and continues to be so even today.
This is the yard where community leader Vincent ‘Tata’
Ford lived, community members and outsiders would hang
out and eat, gamble, listen and rehearse music. Trench
Town’s most famous ambassador, Bob Marley would later
become a resident of this yard. Bob and his mother, Mrs.
Booker, had lived at #19 Second Street [the house is still
there, occupied by current residents] until they migrated
to America. On his return from America, Bob moved into
the yard. While living in the yard, Tata not only taught Bob
how to play the guitar but also wrote the song ‘ No Woman
No Cry’ which was written about their life in the yard. Bob
Marley’s famous song ‘Natty Dread’ retraces his steps as he
walks from his dwelling on First Street up to the end of the
Government Yards on Seventh Street. It was while living at
6 & 8 First Street that the Wailers were formed.
It is without apology but with sincere respect and
appreciation that Trench Town residents say, ‘Bob Marley
did not make Trench Town, but rather Trench Town made
Bob Marley’. As such, The Trench Town Culture Yard
Museum has been and will continue to be one of the
primary vehicles through which the story of Trench Town is
presented to residents, domestic and international visitors.
“The Trench Town culture Yard has been one of the best
initiatives we could have. It has helped our community
to realize the worth of it’s people. It has empowered our
Artisans, Tour Guides and entrepreneurs to be among the
best in the world. I implore all citizens to tap in and make
the best representation of ourselves as we serve the world
and to enhance and compliment our community based
Tourism Product.” Sonia commented as she reflects on
the latest accolade for Culture Yard as an official tourist
attraction by the JTB.
As you step through the gates, the echos of ‘one love’
greet you. From the welcome of the guys in the yard to
meeting chief tour guides, Sophia Dowie and Bent, who
are also day-to-day managers of the Yard, you get the
feeling that is will be an extraordinary experience. Sophia
expertly guides visitors through the rooms and history of
life in Trench Town and the Yard. she respectfully allows
the visitors to have a ‘moment’ to experience the energy
emanating from the floor boards, the walls, the kitchen or
the old VW van still present in the communal space, as
they move about. A little further on the tour visitors get a
first hand view of the sounds of Trench Town. Ziggy Soul,
lead singer for Lyvingkulcha Reggae band is mixing the
band’s latest tracks and readily welcomes everyone who
stops by to hear the beats of roots rocking reggae music,
he reasons and recalls his stories of meeting Bob Marley
and of lessons learnt.
A visit to Culture Yard is not complete unless one has a visit
with Edward ‘Stone Man’ Comrie, Visionary Artist, Spiritual
Leader, Master Tour Guide & Teacher. Stone Man takes
the visitor on yet another captive tour of Culture Yard as
he educates on our human connection to the earth and
mother nature through teachings found in the unique
Stone Garden, Earth and Life symbols all domiciled in
the Yard. Stone Man’s ability to connect and relate our
human experiences to a higher self is fascinating as it is
enlightening and everyone leaves with more knowledge
than when they entered Culture Yard.
As an Artist, Stone Man paints what he also teaches and
creates beautiful, profound, thought enriching messages
through words of love, life and symbols on material such
as silk or calico. As one stands in his small working studio,
Stone Man teaches visitors about his life’s work to preserve
a little piece of our cultural history, his pieces are utilised
by its new owner in whatever style and manner that it best
resonates with them. Stone Man, who believes in giving
back and empowering the next generation with more
knowledge, personally trains students from the Caribbean
Maritime Institute’s who are in regular rotations at Culture
Yard in Community Tourism, as tour guides and provides
practical experience as interns around Culture Yard and
the Trench Town Community.
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