Culture Yard Get Connected
Culture Yard, Trench Town is sometimes by-passed by visitors in favour of Nine Miles (Bob's birth place) and Hope Road (Bob's residence in later years), both wonderful visits, yet somehow it’s at Culture Yard that something connects and you begin to fully overstand the magnitude of Bob’s journey and indeed the long hard, road that all the foundation Reggae warriors trod - Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Lord Tanamo, Delroy Wilson, Joe Higgs, Hortense Ellis, Rita Marley, The Wailing Souls, Ernest Ranglin and so many more. The mighty roar of Reggae has one true origin, albeit deep roots elsewhere (from Jamaican folk and African cultures to influences of soul in the US) and that direct origin is found in the tenement yards of Kingston – birthplace of Reggae, and before it Ska and Rocksteady. Trench Town was where Bob Marley lived as a youth. It’s a must see if you are visiting Jamaica and we’d say it brings you closer to Bob than any other place on earth. From here, you will begin to overstand how Bob’s journey out of Kingston began and how the musical and spiritual mission he embraced began to work its magic.
Somehow, it’s here, while ambling through the 1930s government housing buildings that surround a courtyard, shaded by the trees, that the bloody history of slavery, empire and repression hits you and you begin to fully realise the magnitude of Reggae as not only a musical phenomenon but as a cultural and spiritual revolution that rocked the world liberating minds and souls. This held true for both the people that created it but those who immersed themselves in it, first Jamaicans and then as the years and decades rolled, the rest of the world. |
It’s the story of pure talent, spirituality and determination infused with history, geography and the quest to create and be heard. A story that has few rivals when it comes to the global impact of a musical form from a very specific, small place. It’s all about the purity of purpose and the quest for liberation through music. Reggae is one of the greatest musical genres to grace this earth and whatever its ups and downs, its influence grows. It's diverse and draws on many musical influences, yet Roots Reggae for which Bob Marley was a founding father, had a mission over and beyond the music. For those wishing to feel its true essence a visit to culture Yard is a MUST. What to expect. Culture Yard as we have mentioned is located in Trench Town. On arrival you will be given a guide who will take you through the introductory rooms and give you a brief history of Trench Town. We loved the historical context, but be sure to listen carefully as we got told off for talking! You'll also get to find out about the other artists aside from Bob Marley that came from Trench Town and how they came together to create the musical movement. We don't want to say to much more as surprise and experiencing for yourself first hand is what makes this place so special. You will be able to visit Bob's room, see his VW bus and meet some very special musicians in the studio. It's such a special place. Leave time to take it all in and sit under a tree in the museum yard to contemplate the magnitude of the music and the life that came from here. |
Culture Yard
Get Connected
Culture Yard, Trench Town is sometimes by-passed by visitors in favour of Nine Miles (Bob's birth place) and Hope Road (Bob's residence in later years), both wonderful visits, yet somehow it’s at Culture Yard that something connects and you begin to fully overstand the magnitude of Bob’s journey and indeed the long hard, road that all the foundation Reggae warriors trod - Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Lord Tanamo, Delroy Wilson, Joe Higgs, Hortense Ellis, Rita Marley, The Wailing Souls, Ernest Ranglin and so many more.
The mighty roar of Reggae has one true origin, albeit deep roots elsewhere (from Jamaican folk and African cultures to influences of soul in the US) and that direct origin is found in the tenement yards of Kingston – birthplace of
Reggae, and before it Ska and Rocksteady.
Trench Town was where Bob Marley lived as a youth. It’s a must see if you are visiting Jamaica and we’d say it brings you closer to Bob than any other place on earth. From here, you will begin to overstand how Bob’s journey out of Kingston began and how the musical and spiritual mission he embraced began to work its magic.
Somehow, it’s here, while ambling through the 1930s government housing buildings that surround a courtyard, shaded by the trees, that the bloody history of slavery, empire and repression hits you and you begin to fully realise the magnitude of Reggae as not only a musical phenomenon but as a cultural and spiritual revolution that rocked the world liberating minds and souls. This held true for both the people that created it but those who immersed themselves in it, first Jamaicans and then as the years and decades rolled, the rest of the world.
It’s the story of pure talent, spirituality and determination infused with history, geography and the quest to create and be heard. A story that has few rivals when it comes to the global impact of a musical form from a very specific, small place. It’s all about the purity of purpose and the quest for liberation through music.
Reggae is one
of the greatest musical genres to grace this earth and whatever its ups and
downs, its influence grows. It's diverse and draws on many musical influences, yet Roots Reggae for which Bob Marley was a founding father, had a mission over and beyond the music. For those wishing to feel its true essence a visit to culture Yard is a MUST.
What to expect.
Culture Yard as we have mentioned is located in Trench Town. On arrival you will be given a guide who will take you through the introductory rooms and give you a brief history of Trench Town. We loved the historical context, but be sure to listen carefully as we got told off for talking! You'll also get to find out about the other artists aside from Bob Marley that came from Trench Town and how they came together to create the musical movement.
We don't want to say to much more as surprise and experiencing for yourself first hand is what makes this place so special. You will be able to visit Bob's room, see his VW bus and meet some very special musicians in the studio.
It's such a special place. Leave time to take it all in and sit under a tree in the museum yard to contemplate the magnitude of the music and the life that came from here.
