WHO IS QUEEEN OMEGA

Queen Omega rules the night

Whilst her Kingman, the sun, rules the day

She is the Mother of ALL

Who is not at all like weak-willed Eve.

Queen Omega, the Mother of Iration

Keeps the Ila vibration

For I an' I liberation.

She rules the night with the Iree moonlight

Soft and mellow

Silver and yellow

Marvelous and wondrous is her light

A reflection of the sun, since time begun

Yet different for sure

Is her method to conjure

Though she draws her strength from the male sun

Queen Omega, the Iree Moon Queen

The Rastafari Queen

her Kingman, the sun

her children, the stars!

(see Psalm 89:37; Gen.16-18)

California, 1980

Poem from "CALL IN SISTA LOVE" volume 1 "THE CROWNING OF THE MOTHER AND THE BIRTH OF THE DAUGHTER" author-Nana Farika Berhane

Other Publications from Nana Farika Include

A book of poetry published by Zikwuana Publishing Co.,SING I A SONG OF BLACK FREEDOM, two readers by MacGraw-Hill publishing Co. and several short stories. Her poetry is included in an anthology of Caribbean Poets published by The Institute of Jamaica.

for more information contact nana farika at nanafarika@yahoo.com 

Driva! Inspiring Cultural Animation via Computer Science Education in Jamaica; First Global Reggae Conference, UWI, Mona, Jamaica, February 2008

Ashley G. Hamilton-Taylor, Dept of Computing, UWI, Mona

Abstract

We have introduced animation programming as part of the computer science undergraduate curriculum at UWI in order to introduce complex programming concepts using an engaging, visual medium. A larger goal we have is to encourage the development of an indigenous animation industry that draws upon our rich culture, including Jamaica popular music. We describe the successes and challenges we have encountered over the past two years, and discuss samples of student animations.

The Potential Role of Information and Communications Technology in Underdevelopment: Walter Rodney Conference, UWI, Mona, Jamaica, October 2008

Dr. A.G.Hamilton-Taylor, Dept. of Computing, U.W.I.,Mona

ABSTRACT

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is trumpeted as a means that can fast-track developing countries into the twenty -first century, creating new knowledge-and culture-based industries. While there are a few developing countries that have achieved this dream, for many others ICT has become a route to import finished technological products from developed countries at great cost, rather than a means to develop new industries. In addition, ICT threatens to become an avenue for the invasion of the worst aspects of Western culture, with accompanying negative socio-cultural effects, rather than a primary medium for indigenous cultural expression.

We believe that if strong proactive action is not taken to guide the development and use of ICT, it has the potential to become a force for underdevelopment in much of the developing world, a tool for external information control and domination, and a serious threat to the survival of indigenous cultures. This may be particularly true in Africa and the Diaspora, given the history of colonial and post-colonial exploitation and accompanying social unheaval that is well documented by Walter Rodney and others. A new Pan-Africanist agenda must seriously consider these issues in the wider context of science, technology, media and development.

Dr. Ashley George Hamilton-Taylor arrives in Washington DC on Thursday January 15, 2009.  He is willing to share his views on technology and under development with community activists and African centered  educators. He is seeking to attend and participate in educational forums in the community and on university campuses. He is traveling with a press pass from Irie FM and is therefore empowered to interview and give broadcasts of his observations, conclusions, and impressions of the mood in Washington DC during this historic inauguration week.

To arrange for bookings or more information about Dr. Hamilton-Taylor please contact nana farika at nanafarika@yahoo.com.

BIO: DR. ASHLEY GEORGE HAMILTON-TAYLOR

Dr. Ashley George Hamilton-Taylor is lecturer of Computer Science at the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica. His research interests include Educational Technology, Cultural Computing, Multimedia, Computer Science Education, Software Visualization, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Technology and Development, and the role of modern Media and the Internet in Social Development. His wider interests include Sustainable Development, African Diaspora development issues, and Green Technologies.

Dr. Hamilton-Taylor attended Knox Junior School, Hope Valley Experimental School, Execlsior High and St. Jago High. Key to his educational development were the various points at which he was home schooled at by his mother Nana Farika Berhane, a journalist,writer, Rastafarian,Pan-African activist, and Montessori-trained educator. From home school, he won six medals in Jamaica National Festival Junior Literary competition and awards in the USA Tinkertoy competition for developing innovative models. 

Dr. Hamilton-Taylor is a graduate of the UWI, with a B.Sc. Computer Science and a minor in Social Sciences. He holds a MAsters degree in Computer Science with a minor in Education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a LASPAU-Fulbright scholar, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Georgia.

In Jamaica, Dr. Hamilton-Taylor has been involved in the development of Computing and IT in education, government, and industry. He has taught at UWI for over twenty years, and is presently the curriculum coordinator for the Computer Science section, spearheading efforts to continuously develop programs that are on par internationally while addressing national and Caribbean needs. 

In his dissertation research, Dr. Hamilton-Taylor developed a holistic approach to the development of algorithm animation for computer science education. This included the ethnographic study of instructor teaching methods, the design of the SKA software visualization system to support the needs of learners and instructors, and the development of software to conduct evaluation at the perceptual, cognitive and conceptual levels. His research was supported by the National Science Foundation in a collaborative project with the Univ. of Georgia and Georgia Tech. At Georgia Tech, he designed a study and co-authored a journal publication that has become one of the most widely cited in the effective use of animation in computer science education.   

Dr. Hamilton-Taylor was consultant-evaluator on the first comprehensive study of educational technology conducted in Jamaica, the UNDP/Government of Jamaica Computer-Assisted Instruction in Secondary Schools Pilot Project of 1992. He participated in the development of curricula for information Technology for Jamaican Teachers Colleges, and in the Jamaica Computer Society project to establish computer laboratories and train IT in all Jamaican high schools.

As Senior Research Scientists with Isadra International of Palo Alto, Ca., he helped to establish the first freezone software development enterprise in Jamaica in 1995. Isadra developed products used by Fortune 500 companies.

Dr. Hamilton-Taylor was also Computer Specialist at the Planning Institute of Jamaica in 1989/87 with the UNDP-sponsored BACHUE-Jamaica project, which developed a simulation of the Jamaican economy and the socio-demographic effects of government policies.  

My Most Recent Works

"CALL IN SISTA LOVE"

Volume One: THE CROWNING OF THE MOTHER AND BIRTH OF THE DAUGHTER

An expression of faith, commitment and indomitable endurance, Nana Farika Berhane's CALL IN SISTA LOVE is a long awaited three part series celebrating the true story, life and love of the Rastafari woman.

"CALL IN SISTA LOVE, Volume One: The Crowing of the Mother and Birth of the Daughter" should be considered the roots of this three part series.  A compilation of writings and poems gathered from the archives of Nana Farika and historic figures such as pioneer patariach Leonard 'The Gong' Howell.

Commencing with a stirring and poignant recounting of Empress Menen's life and coronation, along with blessed reasoning on their significance from a Rastafari perspective, and closing with biographies and poetry celebrating the lives of Queen Nanni of the Maroons, the Queen of Sheba and Queen Nyahbinghi.

 CALL IN SISTA LOVE is an eloquent mission statement for the Rastafari woman from an incomparable and celebrated matriarch.

to order a copy email nana farika at nanafarika@yahoo.com