Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
The 'Jamaican Journey': St. Mary gets attention in expanded, mounted format at the publication's recent launch, held at the Hilton Kingston, New Kingston, on Thursday, March 9. - Contributed
IN THE face of trial and adversity, news of rampant murder and mayhem, it can sometimes feel good to step back and notice that we have a beautiful country, even while a gangrene seems to be devouring our psyche. To many of us stuck in Urbania some of that beauty remains quite hidden, the stunning scenery reserved for tourism ads, another side of Jamaica seemingly far from our own reality.
Places like St. Mary get reduced and dismissed to scenes of poverty, the symbols of the death of king banana. But St. Mary, to those who take the time to know, provides so much more. As Jamaica's tourism is slanted toward the northern and westward parishes, places such as Montego Bay and Ocho Rios seem to have cornered the
market on Jamaican idylls. So much so, that there is almost a tendency to try to slip places like Oracabessa into Ocho Rios and save it from the impression that it belongs to a place that is found in the back of beyond.
UNDER-EXPLORED BEAUTY
The latest issue of The Jamaican, titled The Mysteries of St. Mary, is a tribute to the parish's hidden, or more accurately, under-explored beauty. Almost 20 years ago, The Jamaican Magazine came into life as a 40-page black and white news magazine. Now it is a
153-page full-colour glossy
tribute to all things beautifully Jamaican.
The magazine starts with the feature 'A Jamaican Journey', which gives a summarised trip across the parish that meanders among the parish's history, architecture and natural scenery, as well as modern life in St. Mary.
It also takes readers on a scenic tour of the parish, combined with articles exploring the parish's history and the most well-known attractions, such as Goldeneye and Fire Fly. It also explores old estates such as Agualta Vale and Iter Boreal. Interestingly, the magazine also explores the parish's quietly growing stance as an artist's retreat.
The magazine's editor, Lorraine Murray, points out that when she first told people that the 2006 instalment would focus on St. Mary the idea was often dismissed, suggesting that St. Mary has nothing to offer or explore.
'WEB OF BACK ROADS'
The issue, of course, belies that, showing that if one is able to follow the 'web of back roads' or go beyond 'thick tropical woodland' or ascend a remote hill or go 'down a lonely road', St. Mary has charms aplenty that she is willing to reveal to those who are willing to take the time to explore and seek out her
pleasures.
The Jamaican is one of the few publications that, with the precarious nature of publishing in Jamaica, have managed to last over the years. The high cost of printing, coupled with the conviction that Jamaicans do not befriend the written word, have kept the publishing and especially the magazine industry in an almost embryonic state.
The Jamaican has come a far way from its beginnings in more than just page length. In 2001 the magazine was revamped for a new look. A few years later it was relaunched as a collector's edition and given the tagline 'more than a magazine'. These collector's edition series have previously explored Trelawny, Portland and St. Elizabeth.
This takes the magazine away from its foundation slant in more ways than one. An examination of the first 20 covers highlights that The Jamaican had once been more focused on Jamaican personalities. Persons such as Father Richard Ho Lung, Trevor Rhone, Grace Jones, Dennis Lalor and Ronnie Thwaites have all graced the covers. Past greats have also been presented, as Michael Manley, Sir Florizel Glaspole and Carl Stone have all been featured.
Since the collector's edition began, however, the magazine has shifted focus to places rather than people and news. Additionally, though it began life as a quarterly publication, shifted gear to become biannual and eventually moved to its current state as an annual publication,
Murray notes that the response to the magazine increased significantly with the revamping. She explains the name still applies, even though it now looks more intensely at Jamaica than Jamaicans as it continues to feature the best of Jamaica, whether its people, places or culture.
The large format photographs are a significant part the changes brought to The Jamaican. Interestingly, though the magazine initially targeted Jamaicans overseas, its larger market is now at home. It caters to a very disparate readership, estimated at about 30,000 to 40,000, especially depending on the features for that issue.
"Some people will pick it up because they have a connection, others because they just love it," explains Murray. She notes that though the magazine size has almost doubled since the start of the Collector's Edition series, it will probably stop at its current size.
The publishers, Deeks Designs, are also attempting to explore further territory, as they recently launched a new magazine, Jamaican Arts, which will come to life in September of this year.
Though in its inception it will focus on the visual arts, Murray explains that as it grows the
magazine will explore all the arts.
The final pages of the current issue provide a peek at this new Jamaican journey.
It has a more dynamic feel and there is greater interplay between text and visuals. But, for now, The Jamaican gives a voyeuristic view of St. Mary, presenting a textual exploration of one of Jamaica's too often forgotten parishes.
