TRENCH TOWN ROCKS
By Sista Irie
October 1, 2021
Tragically, on Saturday, September 18, suspected arson burned the former home of Bunny Wailer and his father, Thaddeus Livingston. The residence was later lived in by Bob and Cedella Marley. It was there, in Trench Town the root of reggae music was born within a community suffering from severe poverty, ongoing bias against Rastafarians and continuously fueled by the authorities. The loss of this residence is much more than a financial blow. It should serve as a strict reminder that historical preservation must remain a high priority for any government serious about paying respect for the life experiences that define their past. History can be erased and never recovered in the flash of an eye. The lesson to be learned is to preserve cultural heritage while the root of it’s existence is still in evidence. Guard it with reverence.
Trench Town Jamaica is known the world over as an early melting pot of talent and for creating the greatest music ever to evolve from Jamaica. Those who grew there, such as Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, knew and felt the ravages of extreme poverty and yet were able to rise to a greatness almost unparalleled in modern history. “Who Feels It Knows It” is not just a phrase but key to understanding the roots and culture of Jamaican music.
Within the residential parameters of Trench Town sits Culture Yard located on First Street, the first inner city location to be declared a National Heritage site. (May 10, 2007) The tenement yard was constructed between the 1940 and 1949 for residential purposes and eventually named Trench Town Culture Yard. To date, Culture Yard is a community based project with the intention of sharing the historical legacy and culture of Trench Town and its impact on the roots of reggae music with the world. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trenchtown)
In February 2020, during the celebration of Reggae Month, Majesty Media visited Trench Town and Culture Yard and was honored to be given a very special personal tour that produced the following images by Sista Irie (more available). With great appreciation, Majesty Media was given the privilege to see and hear the great history of this area in detail. It is our hope that the historical residence of the Livingstons, as well as the surrounding area, will be given it’s proper recognition through proper investment and ongoing management. We hope any development will maintain the original vibe of the area with improved infrastructure and security to ensure it’s future.
For more history of Trench Town, please check:
