Jamaica Festivals In Japan Would Have Been Held Around Now { TBT }

almost 4 years ago (Edited)

_{I do not know why I was putting up those signs, don't even bother to comment about it, you know who you are 😄}

Like many events worldwide, covid-19 kicked the Jamaican festivals in Japan to the curve and had them canceled; leaving organizers to scramble to cut loses. Redstripe beer, which is one of the most consumed beverages at the event has been going on sale all over the internet in Japan as vendors try to "liquidate" their stock that was brought in specifically for the event. Even I have got involved in the selling of Redstripe online drop-ship style from a friend who was one of those vendors.

The festivals would be held in Tokyo and then Osaka at the end of May and mid June. Other smaller cities would have a Jamaican festival as well and the trend was growing nicely across the Asian country. Jamaican food, art crafts, performances and irie vibes were the order of the day. Though there were a lot of politics involved and there were always cries of "cultural appropriation", people had a good time at the festivals. It was also a meet up event for Jamaicans from all over Japan to come together, meet new faces and catch up with the familiar.

Pics from past Jamaican Festivals

In this pic my friend and singer Monique Dehaney graces the stage with her Jazzy island tone. As you can see many people come out for the festival. That year (2015), the festival was held in Yoyogi park in the heart of Harajuku, Tokyo. This was the original and most loved venue. The easily accessible area saw people from all over the world converge to enjoy the IRIE vibes of Jamaica and Reggae Music.

Local acts as well as international blessed the stage. The only thing missing was the smell of Ganja in the air but a little walk into corners of the park and the herbs could be smelt though it is highly illegal here. Look at that crowd, and that is only a tups ( piece of it).

In this pic, My Brazilian bredrin who goes by the name "Rasta man" shares his Hookah with me while a band plays some tunes on stage. He has a Hookah business which rents out the pipes and sells the refills to clubs.

_{From left Francine, Dave, myself, Didan and her beautiful and well ,mannered daughter. what a photo bomb LOL. 😆}

It is always a good vibe to link up with other Jamaicans at the event as most of us here are extremely busy working 2-3 jobs, running businesses etc.

This is how the pic was actually supposed to be. As Usual, Francine had her stall which you can see in the background. She always shares her space with me to sell things as I personally don't need a stall for myself as I like to keep things online. But just to show face and interact/market, I bring a few things and some flyers.

Here is a pic of two lovely lady twins holding my twins back in 2016 when the festival moved to Odaiba in a huge parking lot. Many people weren't happy with the move. Just imagine going from a park full of greenery in the middle of all the action Harajuku has to offer and then into a parking lot with hard asphalt near a shopping mall? People still managed to have a good time despite the location change but the numbers where not the same.

One good thing about the event being held in Odaiba was that I got to see the Gundam figure/statue. Not that I am a fan but it is pretty cool.

Well, I hope the festivals will continue next year. It was an event many people looked forward to. It was also a chance for us Jamaicans in Japan to kind of recharge our vibes without stepping foot on a plane. Though nothing can compare to trip back home.

Today I leave you with a song by Monique Dehaney called Free. I think most of us can relate to the message. We all just wanna be free to be! Enjoy!!