Happy songs are sung by the cast in the pantomime 'Anancy and Pandora'. Do you recognise Miss Lou (Louise Bennett) at left? She plays Mekeke, Pandora's mother. Would you believe that the pretty lady in the pointed hat is the same person who plays the wicked witch? She is Lois Barrow, a schoolteacher in real life. In this picture you can also see the dancers and singers who helped to make the show lively. - File
The Institute of Jamaica notes with deep regret the passing of the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, O.M., O.J., M.B.E., D. Lit. (Hon.), F.I.J.
Miss Lou, as she was affectionately known across the length and breadth of our shores and beyond, will probably be most remembered for her pioneering use of Jamaican dialect in her writing and performance. Despite disapproval and criticism in some quarters, she made a fundamental contribution to legitimising the national language. In a real way, this cultural icon went against the grain of her classical education and training, to draw on the words and language of the folk as a major source of inspiration. Her work would pave the way for many others to follow.
Miss Lou's multifaceted talent found creative expression in her poetry, lyrical compositions, stagecraft and work in the media both in Jamaica and elsewhere. On stage, she was a regular performer in the National Pantomime, among several other theatrical productions.
The 'Lou and Ranny Show' on local radio entertained many a Jamaican household, presenting real life situations with raconteuring wit. Similarly, many a child and adult of the 1960s will have fond memories of her 'Auntie Roachie' radio programme in which she dispensed advice on a number of topical issues. So, too, will those who took part in or watched 'Ring Ding', a long-running television programme for children.
The seminal contribution of the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley to Jamaica's cultural emancipation has long been recognised by the Institute of Jamaica. She was bestowed with the Silver and Gold Musgrave Medals in 1965 and 1979, respectively. In 1980 she was awarded the Centenary medal of the institute and in 2003 was further honoured as a Fellow of the Institute of Jamaica, one of only five.
Miss Lou's accomplishments were many and arguably her crowning achievement has been, in the words of the Hon. Rex Nettleford, the 'smadditisation' of the Jamaican Dialect. As her physical presence has been removed from us, the nation can nevertheless rest assured that the legacy she has left will continue to exert a positive influence on the Jamaican psyche.
