Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture

Host Wendy Aras dives into Caribbean history and colonialism with Dr. Kumar Mahabir in this compelling episode exploring the East Indians of Belize. They trace three waves of migration and examine the communities' unique industries, cultural markers such as food and dance, and rich heritage preserved through museums and folk tales.

The conversation sheds light on family genealogy and oral history as vital tools in reclaiming and pr...

Host Wendy Aris and guest Jacquie Stewart delve into Caribbean history, specifically focusing on Jamaican genealogy and the impact of colonialism on family identity. This episode explores the powerful role of storytelling in reclaiming heritage and understanding migration patterns through DNA testing and archival research. They discuss the ethical, social, and emotional challenges faced during genealogy research, offering insightfu...

Welcome to the Dis A fi mi History Podcast, where we explore Caribbean history through the lens of DNA testing and family genealogy. In this episode, we discuss how genetic research is helping Caribbean people reclaim lost roots erased by colonialism and the slave trade. Through real-life stories and explanations of autosomal, Y-DNA, and mtDNA tests, we reveal connections to Indigenous Taino, African ethnic groups, and South Asian ...

In this episode of Dis A fi mi History, Brian Birch of Griot's Table explores how food acts as a powerful storyteller in Caribbean history, family genealogy, and cultural heritage. Using the "Eat, Feel, Dream" framework, he shares how dishes carry deep memories of migration and the legacy of colonialism across diasporic communities. Brian also highlights how food events blend music and art to create immersive experiences that honor...

In this episode, host Wendy Aris explores Caribbean history and heritage with Professor Francesca Negro, focusing on her article "Tumba Francesa, Kinetic and Linguistic Archive of the African Diaspora." They discuss how Tumba Francesa—a vibrant dance and musical form rooted in Afro-Caribbean culture—serves as a living archive preserving collective memory and identity across the Caribbean. Tracing its origins from Haiti to Cuba, the...

In this compelling episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris dives deep into Caribbean history and colonialism through a conversation with Jamaican poet and author Olive Senior. They explore Senior's novel Paradise Once, a researched reimagining of the Taíno people in Cuba two decades after Columbus's arrival, shedding light on indigenous heritage and the legacies of colonialism in the Caribbean. The discussion covers...

In this episode, Wendy Aris interviews Crispin Gregoire about the Kalinago people of Dominica, exploring their rich family history and cultural traditions. We delve into their deep heritage and governance, examining how they have survived through colonization to the present day. The episode covers critical topics such as the impact of colonialism, the Carib Act of 1978, land rights, cultural preservation, and language revitalizatio...

In this episode, we explore St. Eustatius — the "Golden Rock" — and how its prosperity during the 18th century was deeply rooted in colonialism, powered by the transatlantic slave trade and the brutal sugar economy. We trace the island's pivotal role in global commerce, featuring insights into the Golden Rock Plantation and the recent discovery of an African burial ground. We also discuss the ongoing impact of slavery on the island...

In this episode of Dis A fi mi History, we dive into the Caribbean history of the 1930s as Wendy Aris speaks with Dr. Natasha Gordon‑Chipembere about the migration of Afro‑Caribbean communities to Costa Rica. The conversation focuses on themes of identity and resilience, examining the social and economic forces—such as railroads and the banana industry—that shaped their lives. 

This episode delves into family histories, language, a...

In this episode of the Dis A fi mi History Podcast, we delve into the near-forgotten 1639 uprising on St. Kitts, an important event in Caribbean history where over 60 enslaved people fled to Mount Misery, built a fortified maroon community, and resisted colonial power before facing brutal repression. This exploration of family history and spirit highlights how resistance is woven into the island's fabric. 

We also trace the ongoing...

In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris delves into the extraordinary life and legacy of Archibald Monteath — a notable figure in Caribbean history, embodying the narratives of colonialism and resilience. Born in West Africa and sold into slavery in Jamaica, Monteath’s story reflects both the violence of colonialism and the indomitable human spirit. 

Monteath’s rare autobiography provides a first-person acco...

In this episode of Dis a Fi Mi History, host Wendy Aris and guest Suleiman Bulbulia delve into the overlooked story of African Muslims in the Caribbean, with a particular focus on Muhammad Kaba Saganuhu — an enslaved scholar who penned a 50-page Arabic manuscript in Jamaica. This episode illuminates how themes of colonialism, Arabic literacy, faith, and cultural memory have influenced resistance, identity, and the broader Caribbean...

Host Wendy Aris sits down with filmmaker Gbolahan Peter Macjob to explore Ireke, Rise of the Maroons — a powerful, language-rich film about the Maroon rebellion in 18th-century Jamaica. They discuss the film's use of Yoruba, Patois and English, its sound design and songs, themes of surveillance, betrayal, spiritual resilience, and the historic role of Nanny and the Maroons.

Through a blend of history and fiction the episode examine...

In this episode of the Dis A fi mi History Podcast, Maria Fernanda de Almeida examines the consequences of colonialism for the Garifuna people of St. Vincent, highlighting their mixed Indigenous and African origins, forced exile, and the spread of their culture across the Caribbean and Central America. We delve into how oral history, family genealogy, language, music, and spiritual practices have preserved Garifuna ide...

In this episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, explore the intricate layers of Caribbean history as Wendy Aris interviews filmmaker David Ritter about his documentary "Germantown". This episode uncovers the lost German-Jamaican story of Seaford Town, Jamaica, tracing the arrival of German settlers after emancipation and the ensuing cultural exchange. Discover how their experiences shed light on the struggles of preserving heri...

In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris engages in a profound conversation with Tami Dee Garcia—Cultural Heritage Reconnection Coach, author, and speaker—about reclaiming Caribbean cultural identity and navigating family history. Tami shares her deeply personal journey of connecting with her Dominican and Jamaican roots, raising an Ethiopian daughter in a multicultural environment. Her lived experiences illu...

Join the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast host, Wendy Aris, as she delves into the vibrant world of Aruba's archival preservation. In this episode, Mr. Peter Scholing of the Bibliotheca Nationale Aruba and Mr. Edric Crows from the National Archives of Aruba share insights into their work safeguarding Aruba's historical records. They highlight the importance of cultural preservation and the future of digital archives, particularly throug...

Welcome to the Dis a fi Mi History Podcast, hosted by Wendy Aris. In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Marie Whittingham, founder of One Stop Cultural Tours Jamaica. Join us as we explore the profound importance of connecting with one's history through immersive cultural tours in Kingston and beyond.

Marie shares the inspiring journey of her tours, the vibrant local artisans, historical treasures like Port Roy...

In this enlightening episode of Dis A fi mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris welcomes Dr. Sharika D. Crawford, a renowned historian specializing in modern Latin America and the circum-Caribbean. Together, they dive deep into the intricate narratives of British West Indian migration to the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providence. Despite being underexplored, this historical movement highlights significant cultural and histori...