Archives of January: Jamaican Writers Who Shaped Us
Essays, Archival Prints, Mixed-media collage. A Spotlight on Jamaica’s Literati: January Edition
After my mother passed in 2019, I was desperate to stay connected to her. One of the ways I found myself doing that was by diving into the books she left behind, mostly Caribbean poetry and prose. They became a kind of portal, a place where her spirit still felt near.
This year, I started a new series with the Journal of Jamaican Art called “Spotlight on Jamaica’s Literati.” It’s a year-long project that features some of Jamaica’s most iconic literary figures, some my mother introduced me to, others I’ve discovered on my own. Each month highlights writers born in that month.
I originally planned to share updates every three months to keep it on a clean quarterly schedule. But the last two pieces I worked on completely consumed me (in the best way), and time got away from me. But I’m thankful to Tenement Yaad Media and Burnaway for hosting my words.
That said-Google did reassure me that quadrimesters (four-month spans) are indeed real, so here we are. This is the first quadrimester roundup of Jamaican literary figures.
A Spotlight on Jamaica’s Literati: January Edition
Amy Ashwood Garvey. Poet & Critic
B. January 10
Amy Ashwood Garvey (1897-1969), born in Port Antonio, Jamaica, was a prominent Pan-Africanist activist.
She co-founded the Negro World newspaper and the Black Star Line Steamship Corporation with her former husband, Marcus Garvey. A trailblazer for African liberation, she was instrumental in founding the Nigerian Progress Union and the International African Service Bureau (IASB).
In 1935, Ashwood moved to London, where she established the Florence Mills Nightclub, a hub for Black intellectuals. She later played a key role in organizing the 5th Pan-African Congress in 1945, advocating for African liberation and women’s rights throughout her life. Garvey was a committed Pan-Africanist activist and author whose work was closely intertwined with that of Marcus Garvey.
Claude Thompson. Poet & Short Story Fiction Writer
B. January 2
Claude Thompson was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, (1907-1976). Thompson was an influential figure in Jamaica's literary scene during the 1930s and 1940s.
“Independence of Claude Thompson” (2025) Collage by Tedecia Bromfield Known for his short fiction, Thompson’s work reflected the nationalist consciousness of the era. Thompson’s story "Spring Planting," originally published in Focus in 1948, was later included in The Independence Anthology of Jamaican Literature in 1962. Claude Thompson (1907) was a key figure in Jamaica’s literary scene during the 1930s & 1940s, contributing to the growing nationalist consciousness that shaped the country’s cultural identity. His short fiction explored Caribbean landscapes & historical narratives, emphasizing the complexities of postcolonial life.
Andrew Salkey. Novelist, poet, editor and broadcaster.
B. January 30
Andrew Salkey (1928-1995) was a prolific Caribbean writer and cultural activist born in Colón, Panama, to Jamaican parents.
He was raised in Jamaica by his mother and grandparents and later became a key figure in Caribbean literature. Salkey worked as a broadcaster for the BBC's Caribbean Voices programme and co-founded the Caribbean Artists Movement (CAM) in the 1960s alongside John La Rose and Kamau Brathwaite.
As an archivist and cataloguer at the British Library, Salkey contributed to preserving Caribbean heritage. His literary output included novels for adults and children, poetry, anthologies, essays, and travelogues. Notable for his use of Jamaican patois, his work often captured the struggles of post-colonial identity and cultural transition.
Salkey was a renowned Caribbean writer, broadcaster, & cultural activist. His deep engagement with Caribbean culture, identity, & postcoloniality became the foundation of his work, which included novels, poetry collections, anthologies, essays, & travelogues.
Donald Hinds. Poet & Short Story Writer
B. January 13
Donald Hinds (1934–2023), born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in Richmond Gap, St. Thomas, was a writer, teacher, and historian whose work provided deep insights into the lives of postwar Black immigrants in Britain.
At 21, he sailed to the UK and worked as a bus conductor, a job that shaped his understanding of the struggles faced by the Windrush Generation. Hinds’ writings appeared in key Black publications such as Flamingo, Joffa Magazine, and the West Indian Gazette, Britain’s first commercial Black newspaper. Donald Hinds relocated to Britain in 1955, drawing on his first-hand experience of the hardships faced by low-income Black immigrants, which profoundly influenced his writings.
Jean D’Costa. Childrens Book Writer + Linguistic Advocate
B. January 13
Jean D’Costa, (1937) born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in St. Ann, was a distinguished linguist, educator, and writer.
From 1962 to 1977, she taught Old English and linguistics at U.C.W.I., Mona. Following her academic career, she conducted research on Jamaican creole and culture while engaging in freelance writing. D’Costa’s work is deeply rooted in Jamaican folklore and oral traditions, reflecting her dedication to exploring the complexities of language and culture in the Caribbean. D’Costa is a Jamaican writer, linguist, & educator whose work profoundly shapes the understanding of Caribbean language & culture. She researches archaic Jamaican Creole & culture, using her findings to inform her writing & literary pursuits on Jamaican folklore, oral traditions, & Caribbean linguistic dynamics.
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Hi Tedecia, I’m from Japan. Thank you for sharing the thorough information about prominent Jamaican writers.
Through pop and rock music history in the UK, I have seen cross-over cultural relations in music brought by Jamaicans, like reggae, ska, two-tone, dub, and so on. However, the information you brought this time made me know more historical information. For example, it was not until I read this article that I knew the first immigrants were called the Windrush generation. I referred to a BBC article related to them for further understanding, too.
Anyway, reading this article was interesting and educative to me, and your collage works are fantastic!!! Thanks again🎶