Members of the reggae group Morgan Heritage
DENROY MORGAN, mainly known for his musical career having turned out hits like I'll Do Anything For You. is originally from May Pen, Clarendon. He migrated to the United States of America in 1965 to further his musical career. After returning from the States in 1996, with his wives and children, he resided in Prospect, St. Thomas.
Going to their home in the eastern parish, one will immediately get the sense that they have crossed the line into a Rastaman's yard. The walls of their rooms are adorned with pictures of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie; and the colours red, green and gold are seen on many of their home ornaments.
Morgan said that he always knew he wanted to be a singer since he was in primary school singing songs like Row, row, row your boat and seeing pictures of singers such as Fats Domino and Sam Cooke in record shops in May Pen.
It is obvious that Morgan's music influenced his children into the same career path. Morgan, however, wanted them to pursue a different career; "preaching the gospel of Rastafari." Nevertheless Morgan is not too disappointed as through their music the message of the religion is being sent. "I am a father who was able to give my children the support to be whatever they want to be."
The patriarch said he does not see his style evolving in his children's music as they have their own musical style which he believes is inspired by the Almighty. And with the Almighty as his central guide, Morgan said he is able to raise his children, all 30 of them; 17 sons and 13 daughters. He said he never dreamt that he would have 30 children, as he only wanted 15. But this number he noted, may be his mark.
"I think this is it now," he told Flair.
TWO SETS OF ADVICE
Like a child being given a gift at Christmas, Morgan's children seemed overjoyed at having two mothers, as there are two sets of advice and two women to consult for punishment. Twelve-year-old Saridia said getting advice from both of them is just about the best thing that could have happened to her.
"If my mother doesn't know the answer, I go to my stepmother. It is good and nice. It makes us live in a disciplined way."
Gramps, one of the bigger children, said that his upbringing is "absolutely the best" and that his siblings are instilling the same values learnt from their parents to their children.
"The divine law was our teaching 'Children, obey your parents for it is right to honour thy father and thy mother and thy days will be long upon the earth' [Ephesians 3]," said Gramps, who is also a member of the Morgan Heritage group.
Gramps, in recalling his childhood years, said growing up was really special to him and despite the sibling rivalry at times, they had lots of fun together.
"The greatest joy was to enjoy one another. We didn't even have our own outside friends, as all friends would become friends of the family. It wasn't like he or she is my friend but everybody's friend."
Shy Poo, a member of LMS, another musical group formed from the Morgan clan, noted that it is a great feeling to have a family of so many siblings and two mothers.
"Two women who actually live like sisters. It's an unexplainable feeling that I don't have to worry and I'm ensured that I will always be taken care of and nurtured," said the 26-year-old son who has a little girl. For him, he is not hoping to have two wives but if it is "ordained that way by the Almighty then I will accept it."
TEAMWORK IS IMPORTANT
Father Morgan acknowledged that it is not an easy task to raise his children but with teamwork from both mothers, he is able to control them. Noting that the mothers are very stern, while with him, the children can escape without punishment. But, if he saw or heard something rude done by one of the children his punishment when executed, will always be remembered by them.
In giving advice to parents, Morgan said that they should teach their children a divine love - to love each other, their elders, their parents and their master. This wisdom he said can be derived from the Holy Book. "Read the Bible from Genesis to Revelations with a clear conscience," he advised.
He noted that being a father is not an easy task and, especially for him, it is not a perfect situation.
"It is not a bed of roses. But I have been able to provide for them."
And the children were more than willing to tell their stories of being punished.
"With us there wasn't any 'spare the rod and spoil the child'. If we didn't obey we get some 'licks'. But the greatest teaching we got, was to take care of each another," said Gramps.
AN ABUNDANCE OF LOVE
Morgan's children's ages range from 41 years to 11 months old, with most of them residing in the United States. Most of the children are involved in music; they are either drummers, singers, deejays or producers. Two are nurses in America, one an airline stewardess, a computer specialist and another is attending the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.
The eldest child, Janet Morgan-Shaw, a nurse who is a departmental director at a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, said that having many siblings is more the joy to her life. That there is never a shortage of love, and due to the firm foundation of their upbringing on a spiritual background they are strong and able to overcome their an difficulties.
"There is just this abundance of love that flows, which I think is the benefit of having so many brothers and sisters. So many people going through struggles and don't have anyone to call on while with us, we always have someone," said Mrs. Shaw, who is the mother of three boys.
"We are just blessed to have a feeling like this (of love and togetherness)," she continued.
A SPIRITUAL CHANGE
It was in 1975 that Denroy Morgan changed his spiritual faith to Rastafarianism. As before that, he was a Seventh-Day Adventist, having been raised within that denomination of the Christian religion. He explained that it was a 'calling' from the Almighty and instead of hiding, he responded.
"I didn't want to be mad or die, so I answered the call," he said, while noting that it is the best thing he has done in his life and it has brought blessings into his life.
With children constantly running around the yard, food being cooked in large portions, and greeting to neighbours with phrases such as 'Love you my
brother', 'Jah love' or 'Bless you', Christmas is a daily affair in the Morgan's home.
"We try to live that happy life of letting the godliness flow amongst us. Christmas is just like any other day as every day is Christmas while we have life," said Emo.
As usual, the Morgan family will celebrate their life and love, of their family, at East Fest, an annual stage show that is organised by the family and held at Goodyear Oval, Morant Bay, St. Thomas. This year's show is scheduled for December 27 with relatives coming from overseas to partake in the event.
- Shelly-Ann Thompson
