Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah’s untimely passing over to be with the ancestors happened a few weeks before the usual New Year’s Honours list. Among the multiple reasons I admire Zephaniah, the one that stands out, is his refusal to accept an OBE from the establishment and its ‘Firm’ around which Empire’s lasting effect continues to…
Author: caribleaper
was born and brought up in Guyana where I was based until 1987. Currently moves between the UK and France. I consider myself part of a complex Caribbean and Indian Diaspora: complex as the 1st movement of my ancestors from India was not a choice. My religious heritages include Islam, Hinduism and Christianity – Caribbean style.
I have lived, studied and worked in Guyana, Jamaica, Grenada, Curacao, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. And over the last 20 years I have been living and working in Birmingham and London. Like so many other members of the Caribbean Diaspora, “home” has a strange ring as it continues to be "elsewhere" for me!
In the Caribbean I have been involved in a variety of ministries, including community development work in Guyana and Grenada and ecumenical theological education in Guyana, Grenada and Curacao.
My academic qualifications include a BA degree in theology (University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica), an MA in theology and Caribbean Literature (University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica) and a PhD in Theology, Ecumenism and Missiology (University of Utrecht).
I am an avid cricketer, who gets excited over Bob Marley, big screens and good films, authentic Rum Punch [that is, Grenadian Style], good Caribbean Curry (largely creolised) and, of course the elusive Anancy