[ESTA POST 7] DEM GET HENG/ THEY WERE HUNG (Esther Approximately)

Joyce
Mhm so Mardiki hear everything dem say. Dem did plan fi corna him out inna di cane field an buss him troat wit a cutlass. What a set a wickid... dutty traitor dem!
Mardiki heard everything they said. they were planning to trap him out in the cane fields and slash his throat with a machete. Wicked traitors!

Maddie
Him just gwaan hide till dem dun talk. Him couldn't believe wah him hear. Yuh mean fi seh him owna people.... waan kill him jus cause him an him wife a gwaan good.
He just his until they had finished talking. He couldn't believe what he heard. Maas Xerxes was going to be killed by his own people, just because he and his wife are getting on well.

Madie

Mardiki jus easy an mek sure nuh bady nuh see him wen him walk to Esta, fi tell har wah him hear. An af caurse Esta tell her husban Maas Xerxes wat was goin happen. She did mek sure fi seh is Mardiki tell har, an a Mardiki save him life.  

Mardiki took his time, making sure no one saw him when he walked to Esta's and Maas Xerxes house ;to tell her about the planned assassination. She of course told Maas Xerxes that Mardiki told her this information, and so it is Mardiki that saved his live.

Joyce

So yuh dun know how tings guh when a big man like get treaten, same timg like wah happen now.

So you know what happens when a powerful man life is threatened, the same thing happens now.

Joyce's daughter

Wah sen him crew fi shat him up?

What , get his crew to gun them down?

Joyce

Weh yuh seh? 

Shat up di man dem?  

Jus suh?

Shat dem up jus suh?

Nooooo sah! Maddie awah dem a teach yuh daughta? 

Shat up a man jus suh?!  Not even check fi see if a true.

Yuh move too fass, yuh need fi tink fuss; be sure to act on di truth.

What did you say?

Shoot the men?

Just like that?

Shoot them, just like that?

Noooo  man, Maddie what are they teaching your daughter?

Shoot the man just like that?! Without checking to see if what was said is true.

You move too fast, you need to think first; be sure that you are acting on the truth.

Maddie

Yes mi chile,  I know yuh hear di phrase act furst an tink later. But it nuh right!

Tink furst make sure its di trute den yuh act!

Yuh know wah Maas Xerxes do him mek sure is true. Him investigate and be sure seh is true. Den him act!

Yes my child, I know all you hearing now a days is the phrase act first and think later. But it is not right! 

Think first, make sure it is true. Then you act!

Do you know what Maas Xerxes did? 

He made sure it  was true. He investigated and made sure it was true.

Then they acted!

Joyce

When him know is tru him act. Dem get heng.

When he knew that it was true, he acted. They were hung.

Maddie

Mhm, Dem get heng a di gallows weh Mass Xerxes mek pan di propaty.

An dat was dat....

Mhm, they were hung at the gallows that Maas Xerxes made on the property.

And that was that....

Simon Di Obeah Man (The sorcerer) [Adaptation of Acts 8:9-25]

*Profile talk a talk show aired in Jamaica it consists of a host speaking with various men and women who often come from humble backgrounds and are now doing well financially. 

*Obeah West Indian term which refers to sorcery, witchcraft and West African religious practices. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello! Hellaaao!   Wah di baxide! A weh mi deh? How mi reach ere suh?
Hello! Hellaaao!  Jeez, where am I?  How did I get here?

It dark eeh man!
Man it dark!

A wah dat? Jeeezaz, who a scream suh? Oh God a wah dem a do to har? Soun like she a dead.  Mi need fi get out a ere!
What is that? Jeesus, who  screaming like that? Oh God what them doing to her? Sounds like people killing her. I need to get out of here!

Is how me even reach in here? ....
How did I even get in here?..

[I was important,

I lived a life wanted by many.

I was powerful!]

And were back, here on "Profile" with Mr. Simon Magus, a self  made billionaire who had humble beginnings in rural Jamaica. 

He spoke earlier of often having to go to school barefoot, unable to afford shoes.  He also spoke of farming on the family plot and helping his grandmother make herbal remedies for

people in the community to increase his family's income.  

Yes so Mr. Magus you are now a a business mogul turned celebrity man.  Heh heh you laughing is a serious thing I saying man.  Yuh very popular on social media. Over 5 million followers on Instagram.  You also have a Facebook page and your YouTube videos are wildly popular on an international level.  Mhm, everyone is amazed with your life.  On there we see that you are living a very luxurious lifestyle. 

Yes man, you are doing things we can only dream of. Living in what can only be described as a large Mansion in Cherry Gardens, flying in private jets around the world, with very nice looking young ladies by your side.  Not to mention going to the most exclusive clubs; and you do all this all while wearing the most expensive clothing.  I mean many people would say you living the life.

Ha ha. Yes Leon, I guess many would like to be in my shoes, understandably.

So give us some insight on how you came to live this life.

Well I've created a strain of bananas that are able to thrive in times of drought.  This would boost Jamaica's GDP in future especially with the expected worsening effects of global warming.  Selling that strain made me a wealthy man.

.......

Oh it looks like our time is up.  Well Mr. Magus Thank you for speaking with me

No problem Leon, my pleasure.

Tune in next week when we speak with......

......................................................................

[It was perfect!

I had notoriety

I had my the powers,

......Obeah ]

But how mi reach here?
No seriously. How did I get in here?

Help! 

Hello! 

ANYBODY!

You!  Tap di noise, nuhbody nah come fi help yuh!
You! Stop the noise  no one is coming to help you!

A wah mi get mi a self inna now.
What did I get myself into now

Di lass thing mi memba is seeing dis man...
The last thing I remember is seeing a man....

and we would like to Welcome the preacher for this Sunday.  He is a mighty man of God, yes man.   He has been travelling around the world preaching the word of God.  Finally he is in Jamaica!  Give a warm welcome to Deacon Philips.

I was in a church, I remember.  I was at one of the bigger churches in Jamaica, attended by many prominent business men and women.  I was here networking
You see, prominent figures seen here were deemed trust worthy by many in society.  They were seen as people who cared about moral values and the well-being of others.  Obviously this wasn't always the case. 

Of course none of these people knew or believed I was an obeah man and couldn't.  Obeah was and still is illegal in Jamaica.  Yes, so, if I were to be known as an obeah man my businesses would be ruined and that wasn't going to work for me.

This Sunday visit was different though..... that man.....

Deacon Philip


He did some miraculous healings, all of which he said, were in the name of Jesus.  The blind in the church saw, the terminally ill were ill no more.  The church was in pandemonium, I've never seen anything like it!   It was so powerful, suh real!   Bwoy dis was jus different.

When he spoke about Jesus something within me changed, there was nudging at my heart.  I felt overwhelmed by an emotion, it was love.

I was amazed that God, this God loved me.  This powerful being loved and cared for me. 



[I wanted to be of something that was so much greater than me;
greater than anything I have ever known.
That unlimited power 
All a dat an mi still did waan more, I was jus greedy
Why mi neva jus repent, Oh God!]
(why didn't I just repent oh God!)



I thought I had seen the great extent of God's power when Philip did wonders at the church but that was nothing compared to what I saw Peter and John do. They baptised us, all who accepted Jesus in the spirit.  

It was as if the room was engulfed in flames, the fire grew as as person after person received the spirit.  When this happened these people were not themselves.  They spoke in tongues, others rambled phrases repeatedly and many;many were bawling. It was as though their consciousness, the core of their beings weren't present, in this this world. 

 I've seen people get in spirit before but this, this different. You could feel it man; this was unbelievable, everybody in the room was filled. 



[ I couldn't see that raw power and not want it for myself,
that was true power 
All I could think of was the big things I could have done with it;
God me did fool]
(God how stupid I was)



I wanted to have it, tha power. 
I needed it to be mine. I offered them money, the evangelists....


"I have to have it, let me buy it.  I'll give you anything you want just let me have it." I said and they just both looked at me like I was crazy. Give me this power man;so I can give the Holy Spirit to anyone I lay my hand on and pray ova"

"This cant buy!" John replied

"Why you feel you can buy  God?" Peter asked me. 

I couldn't even say nothing, I just stare up in a dem face like a idiot. 

"You are a greedy fool for thinking this, You have no place in di ministry; is not God you want is 
wealth yuh looking for. Yuh wealth will perish wit yuh", Peter say. 

"Repent, ask the Lord for forgiveness; yuh heart full of wickidness", him continue. 

An all I did is ask for him to pray for me suh dat dont happen, dats all..... 


[I neva repent
No I was just der... jus deh deh]
(no I was just there)



and now I reach here. 

Stuck in the dark in this stink, tough (hard) place.

An all  I hear is people bawling out in pain

Suppose is me nex....

Oh Lawd no!

Is who you?

Wah u a do?

Dont do it!

Please Mi a beg yuh, no!

Nooooo!

[ESTA POST 6] VYBES DID NICE/ I LOVED THE ENERGY (Esther Approximately)

Joyce

Esta an Maas Xerxes wedding did a di event a di season.

Esta and Lord Xerxes wedding was the event of  the season.

Joyce's daughter

Eeeeeh! Miss Joyce wah mek u seh suh?  Mi nuh feel like dem ole time days did nice like now. Uno suppose did stiff an boring a act prim proppa.

For real, Miss Joyce why you say that? I don't think you had as much fun then as we have now. In those days the focus was on being prim and proper, you must have been really stiff and boring.

Joyce

Heh! Cooya is who she a talk to, bout act prim an propa! Maddie talk to yuh daughta yah! Mi nuh know a wah do dem young people here.

Ha, you hear her? who she talking to, we acted prim and proper and was boring? Maddie talk to your daughter I don't know what happen to today's young people

Maddie

Ha, ha Mi daughta uno a nuh  di first set a  people to enjoy uno self. We did a do dat long before nun a uno born. Mhm mek we tell yuh bout di wedding n di niceness afta.

Ha ha.  My daughter you are not the first generation to enjoy yourselves. We were doing that long before any of you were born. Mhm, we will tell you about the wedding and the enjoyment that happened after.

Maddie

Dem did have di wedding pan di propaty .  An a Mardiki walk har down di aisle.
They had the wedding on he property. Mardiki walked her down the aisle.




Joyce

Mhm, him did look good yuh si! Wah a man handsome 
Mhm, he looked good! What a man handsome.




Maddie
Joyce tap di noise! A nuh dat we fi a talk bout. Di wedding tell dem bout dat
Joyce hush up! That's not what we were talking about the wedding tell them about that.




Maddie
Alright, Alright di wedding, yeah. She did dress inna har white dress n ting she did look natrally pretty.
Alright, Alright the wedding yeah. She was dressed in her white dress and looked
 just naturally pretty. 




Joyce
Yeah is true she neva look like nuh pappy show or nuttin like dat.
Yeah its's true she didn't look like a idiot that's trying too hard  or nothing like that.




Maddie
Dem did marry a night time unda one arch. It did have one bag a plant and flowas a grow pan it, white flowas to yes man did pretty. Hhhhmmm  *smiles*, man dem did look well happy. An yuh know we did get a nodda big celebration woiiiiii excitment! heh heh.
They were married at night under an arch. It had creepers and white flowers blooming and growing all over it. Hmmmm *smiles*, man they looked so happy. And you know we got another big celebration. Ayeee party! ha ha ha.





Joyce
Why yuh muss always gwaan like a sketel, wit u one bag a noise calm dung man, chuh.
Why you must always act so classless with all the noise, calm down man, jeez.







Maddie
Chuh Joyce stap gwaan suh stooch man. We did a dance nuuf nuuf nuf dancing man tink me neva si yuh. All Maas Xerxes an Esta did a dance, vybes was nice! We drink, we eat, we celebrate time did nice. 
Jeez Joyce stop acting so snobby man. We danced a lot whooole lot. You think I didn't see you. Even Lord Xerxes and Esta were dancing. The place had a nice had a nice energy man! We drink, we eat and celebrate. We had a good time.




Maddie
But as uno already know nuff time when something good happen someting bad happen not too long afta. 
But as you know when something good often when something good happens something bad happens soon after. 






Maddie
Mardiki one evening did a breeze out outside an buck up pan two a Maas Xerxes people a talk bout how dem waan kill him an him a get saaf. Him jus ich up pan di new queen.
One evening Mardiki was taking in some air and he overheard two of Lord Xerxes people hatching a plan to assassinate him. They were saying he's .=getting soft, he's always with the new Queen. He tries too hard to gain her favour,

[ESTA POST 5] From me see dem man me know him was goin to pick har ... dem jus cannek / When i saw them man I knew he was going to pick her...they connected (Esther Approximately)

Yes suh as mi did a seh we watch Miss Esta go in a Maas Xerxes work room an ... 
Yeah so as I was saying we watched Miss Esta go in Mass Xerxes den and...

Oye Miss Joyce! Miss Joyce!
Hey Miss Joyce! Miss Joyce!

Yeah Maddie up ere mi deh, wah happen? Walk come man, di dawg nah bodda yuh!
Yes Maddie we're up here, whats happening? Come in man, the dog not going to bother you!

Joyce a wah uno up ere a do? Oh! yuh a tell dem di Esta story. Which part yuh reach?
Joyce what you guys doing up here? Oh! You telling them the Esta story. How far in are you?

Inna Xerxes work room
In Xerxes den

Den how yuh fi tell deh part dere an yuh neva deh deh? Me will tell deh part ere like how mi did inna di room when him did a talk to har.
How can you tell that part if you weren't there?  I will tell that part since I was in the room when he was talking to her. 

Alright Maddie tell it den
Alright Maddie tell it then

Yes suh mi did inna Xerxes room...
Yes so I was in Xerxes den

Him den did a one big room wit one nice pretty chandelier, an a fire place wah neva get use. Circle all round di whole a di room was a pretty mahogany shelf wit a bag a book ole an new; An inna di middle a di room was a rich brown mahogany desk.  

Me did a stan near di sofa inna di corner wit di drinks an ice cart when Miss Esta did walk in; she did look a likkle nervous. Maas Xerxes nuh stop look pan har from she walk in, him did have dis eva lasting broad grin pan him face,him look like him did in love. 

His den was a huge room with a very nice chandelier, and a grand fire place that never got used. Along the walls of the room were gorgeous mahogany shelves housing numerous books old and new. In the middle of the room was a deep brown desk also mahogany. I stood in the corner with the drinks and ice cart when Esta walked in, she looked a little nervous. Lord Xerxes  eyes were on her since she walked in, it was like he couldn't take her eyes off her; that was coupled with a goofy grin. The man looked like he was in love. 

"Hello,please come in. Have a seat" him say a point pan di sofa wit d broad grin still on him face. 
"Hello, please come in. Have a seat" he said motioning to the sofa, the broad grin still on his face.

"Thank you Lord Xerxes" she seh a smile." 
"Thank you Lord Xerxes" she said smiling."



*Heh heh heh* She did look well nervous man * heh * but it did work out fo di bess. 
*Heh heh heh* She looked really nervous man *heh* but it all worked out for the best.




Him did charm har man, an she did sweet him up. Fi di whole time all me did see is bare teeet, bare laughing dem deh pan; people dem outa door mussi say dem a mad.  From me see dem man me know seh him was goin to pick har, dem jus cannek. 

Man he charmed her and she charmed him. They were smiling and laughing the entire time. The people outside must have thought they were going crazy. As I saw this all happen from the corner of the room I knew he was going to choose her to be his wife. They just connected.





Yes, dem did in der fi a good while man like bout tree hour mmhm
Yes, they were in there for a while man, around three hours mmhm






Suh wait Miss Maddie him jus talk to har far tree hours an a it dat dem married? Afta him neva know har an she neva know him dat nuh mek nuh sense...

So wait Miss Maddie he spoke with her for three hours and that's it they were married? But he didn't know her and she didn't know him so that makes no sense...






Chile yuh affi look at tings inna dem contex
Child you have to look at things in context.





Weh dat mean?
What does that mean?





It mean yuh have to look at di time it happen a nuuff nuuff nuff years back dat happen enuh and dem time der different dan now. Times did diffrent.

Memba too ennuh God did sort it out dat part important too, yuh will see when the story dun.
It means you have to look at the time it happened. That happened way waay way back, and times then were different than times now. You also have to remember that God sorted it all out that part important too you know. You will see when the story is over.





"Hmh suh a Esta him pick tank God an we did glad don't it Joyce"
Mhm, he chose Esta thank God and we were very happy right Joyce





"Yes of course one black woman did a we Miss Xerxes we did feel seh tings sort out fi yes man we a guh stop get bad treatment an did a guh step up. 
*Sigh* If ongly a did dat happen if ongly"

"Yes of course a black woman was Lady Xerxes, we thought our lived were going to be better for us.  Yes man, we were going to be' treated better and were moving up. 
*Sigh* If only that happened, if only.

[ESTA POST 4] Don't fret Esta God wit yuh / Don't worry Esta God is with you.(Esther Approximately...)

Afta Esta walk in mi hear Tunky a call to me from in a di house. Tunky, did a one ole lady weh did in charge a everyting we do weh involve Mass Xerxes, an any a him poeple dem.

"Cum outa d leaf dem, clean off yuh han an go roun a di back!" she did halla out, so is dat me did hurry up an do.

 After Esta walked in I heard Tunky shouting inside the house.  Tunky, was an old lady who was in charge of all that was done by  us, for Lord Xerxes and his  people.                                    

"Esta leave the leaves, clean your hands and go around the back!" she shouted, I quickly did as she said.

 Inna di garden roun a di back, whole a di ooman dem did a sidung an a drink tea. Di one wah look like she did a guh one funeral a gi everybody bad eye an mek up har face. Mi nuh kno a wah she did fava. 

When me did a walk an a fill up back di people tea, mi hear di ooman weh did wrap up inna d sheet a whispa to anodda ooman.

"Why on earth is Lord Xerxes thinking of marrying that black one?" Di ooman inna di sheet seh

"This is utter rubbish. Who does she think she is, does she not know of her colour" di odda ooman did seh. Hmm.. A suh nuff a dem  did stay man; tink dem betta dan people. Did bun me fi dem.

All the women were seated on the backyard furniture drinking tea. The one who was dressed as though she was to going to funeral was giving everyone the side eye coupled with a look of distaste. I dont even know what to say she looked like. A dammed fool. As I was walking around refilling the women's cups of tea; as I was expected to. I heard the woman who looked like she was wrapped up in a sheet whispering to another woman.                       

"Why on earth is Lord Xerxes thinking of marrying dat black one?"

"Who does she think she is, does she not know of her colour? " said the other woman. That's how they thought back then, thinking they were better than people. Boy, sometimes people are so foolish. 

 

"Mas Xerxes seh now dat everyone is here, we goin start". Tunky did seh as she walk out.  All di ooman dem start grin an a fix up demself. *Hmt* Mi nuh know weh sum a dem did  a fix up seh.

"Alright, Mass Xerxes seh him will call uno one one; an yuh will talk to him fi one likkle while fi get to know uno betta. Miss Tamas, him waan yuh come now" Tunky did seh to di lady inna di sheet looking ting. She grin an run inna house leff har escart. What a way she did excited!

Tunky walked out the house and stood just outside the door way.

 "Lord Xerxes said now that everyone is here, we are going to start" she said. Instantly many of the women faces lit up grinning while they looking over their dresses. Stupid, I thought to myself as I looked at them checking their appearance. It wasnt as though that was going to make a difference; they already looked... how they looked.                                                             

"Alright, Lord Xerxes said he will call on you one by one and you will have a conversation where he can get to know you a little better. Misss Thomas, he wants to see you now." Tunky said to the lady in the sheet looking thing. She ran off grinning leaving her escort behind. Man she was excited!

Afta Miss Tamas gone inside mi jus tun roun look pan di ress a di ooman dem an shake mi head. A wen mi did look up mi see Esta by harself a luk a look pan di red Christmas flowas dem. Suh mi did walk up to har an ask har if she waan more tea

 but in trut mi really did waan si if she did alright.

" No thanks I'm quite alright" shi seh when mi did ask har.

"Alright Miss"  mi did seh an ready fi walk aff

"Yuh know me feel outa place" she seh an tun an look pan me, mi tek one step an stop walk. Mi did frighten, mi neva did hear har chat patwa yet before! Mi did jus tun roun an look pan di flowas dem side a har head.

"Mi know yuh can do it Miss Esta afta none a dem nuh betta dan yuh" Me seh me eye dem still pan di flowas.

After Miss Thomas went inside,I looked at all the other women and shook my head. Then I saw Esther standing alone off to the side looking at the red Poinsettias. So I walked up and asked her if she wanted more tea, but I really wanted to see if was ok.            

"No thanks I'm quite alright" she responded.                     

 "Alright Miss" I said beginning to walk off                       

 "You know I feel out of place", she said in Patwa. I've never heard her speak in Patwa before shocked, I froze mid step.  I turned and look at the flowers to the left of her head. 

"I know you can do it Miss Esta, no one here is more important than you are" I replied still looking at the red flowers.  

          

"Miss Esta is fi yuh tun now" Tunky seh fram di door way, wen me look roun me realise two odda ooman did guh already.

"Yuh will be alright Miss Esta, God is wit yuh. Jus smile be nice, be wise an mek sure yuh talk bout music, him love music yuh hear. Yuh will be alright man." Me did seh a look inna har eye now an tell fi gwaan.

"Tanks" she seh an smile den she walk aff to guh si Mass Xerxes.

Mi did walk up to Tunky and we dis watch har walk inna Maas Xerxes room. 

"Mi hope she do good"  Tunky seh, a fret.

"God a watch ova har, she alright.  Fi him will, will be dun." mi tell har.

Tunky nod had head an look pan di door Esta jus shut.

"Miss Esta it's your turn now" Tunkey said from the door way. I looked around and realised two women were missing, they already went to see Lord Xerxes.                  

"God is with you Miss Esta, you will be alright. be friendly, smart and be sure to mention music alright. He loves music. You will be ok man." I said motioning for her to go quickly.                                                     "Thanks" she said smiling as she walked off to speak with Mr. Xerxes.

I walked up to Tunky and we watched her enter Lord Xerxes room. 

"I hope she does well", Tunky said.

"She will be fine God is with her. His will will be done" I replied.

Tunky nodded and continued staring at the door Esta just closed. 


Thanks for reading :)

[ESTA POST 3] Mass Xerxes fi pick a wife! / Lord Xerxes has to choose a wife! (Esther Approximately...)

Yeah suh mi did deh a di door a form like mi a mop right. *Heh!*, Likkle mos mi drop di mop wen mi hear Mass Xerxes fren dem a tell him seh all him need fi do is get a nedda wife, a betta wife. Dem seh a man a fi him status an age need fi married.

Yes! An yuh waan know seh did Xerxes agree! So dis a wah dem seh dem did a do. Dem was goin mek Mass Xerxes pick a ooman outa di bess set a ooman roun Mobay. Suh dem say brah; an a suh him get him new wife.

Yeah, so like I was saying I was at the door pretending to be mopping. Man! I almost dropped the mop when I heard Lord Xerxes friends telling him,"all he needed to do was get a better wife, a newer wife"."A man of his status," they said, "needs to be married". yow,would you believe Xerxes agreed! So, they decided they were going to have Lord Xerxes choose the most suited woman. Mhm that's what they said and that's how he got his new wife.

*Heh heya* U nuh know wah di man dem do, tink dem easy? Who nuh put up dem daughta, put up dem sista. Mi wuldnt surprise if mi did hear seh dem did all mek dem fambily come down from England. Everybody did well waan a likkle a Maas Xerxes money enuh even more him status.

 *Haaaa!* Do you know what the men did? No,for real it's like they were con men. You see,many wanting some of Xerxes money and status; sent up their family members. So there were men sent their sisters and daughters, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some had family come down from England.

Yes, but yuh know mi mema dis one girl, Esta. Bwoy, she did a one nice, pretty girl. Ya man, nice, nice girl.  An she did a one a wi yuh know? Yes man she did black! Esta did mix yuh si, mhm she did slim an have a nice cooool coco butter cohla. An har eye dem  jus pretty; dem did black, an bright, an big.  Esta doe, roun dem time deh she did live wit har Uncle Mardiki. Him now, did a one free black man. Now yuh a wonder why Mass Xerxes have a black man in a him group don't? Mi know man! Yuh si Mardiki neva did a one normal man. No Sah! Firs ting him did wise, mi mean well wise. Nex ting, him did know him people and dem did respek an trus him; suh him wulda talk, n di ppl dem wulda undastan n werk wit him. A suh come Mass Xerxes did valu wah Mardiki seh cah him did know seh a one powaful ting dat. An yuh did know seh Mardiki did a one Christian to? Yes man, but  him an sum him people did praise di Lard wit dem owna traditian wah dem grow up wit, an know bout. Suh dem did sing inna dem owna language mix in wit d English; an pray how dem did waan; an ave sum a dem owna odda custom dem.

Yes, but you know I remember this one girl Esta. Boy, she was a nice pretty girl. Yeah man, a nice girl. She was one of us you know? Yes, she was black! Esta was mixed you see. Mhm she was of slim built and had smoothest looking cocoa butter complexion. And her eyes, they were just lovely; she had big, bright, black almond set eyes.So,in those times, she was living with her Uncle Mardiki, who was a free black man. You are now wondering why Lord Xerxes had a black man in his group right? I knew it! You see Mardiki wasn't a normal man. No, not at all. Mardiki was a very, very wise man; who knew his people well and they trusted and respected him. He was then able to speak to his people and they would listen and work with him. Lord Xerxes saw that as a powerful thing; and valued what Mardiki had to say about the happenings in his own life and the lives of the black people.Mhm it's the truth. Did you know to though that Mardiki was a Christian? Yes man, but some of the customs he and some of his people had were a bit different that those you might know of; because, they praised the Lord with their own traditions. Traditions taught to them by their family. So they sang songs in their own language a mixture of West African and English vernaculars, I believe. They also prayed how they wanted to and had other customs that were their own.

But  anyway Mek we get back to Esta an di day she n di odda girl dem go a di plantation house fi Mass Xerxes pick him wife... 

Da day der now all a di ooman dem come some did pretty some neva suh pretty. One wrap up inna sheet; one nex one come dress up inna black, like a funeral she a guh. Bwoy mi neva did understan sum a di style weh some dem did chose. Mi mean how yuh fi come n yuh face paint up like clown. Dis one ooman me did glimpse har tru di window wit dis pink ting pan di side a har face nuh even pink, red me shoulda say. An it did guh from har eye to har jaw bone, mi neva  did undastan it. Man! Dis nex ooman now her hair long suh till it a drag inna d duut, fi why ? Mi nuh kno sah. Ah bwoy! Dis odda one, lass one an mi dun. Far me nuh waan God strike me dung fi a chat people. Dis lass one now did a bawl fo har earing and a run up n dung a look all ova d propaty n a force ppl fi help har look. *Heh heh!* people jus did a faam like dem did a look an a laff afta har. Alright me dun, God figive me yah! Nuh seh me a laff afta dem enuh me jus neva undastan dem fashion deh. Fashion is a hell af a ting eeh!

But any way lets get back to Esta. and the day she and all the women came to the plantation so Lord Xerxes could choose his wife....  On that day all the women came to the property, some were pretty others were not. This one lady was wrapped up in... I think is was a sheet. Another one was in all black; I mean, look like she was going to a funeral. Boy I didn't understand some of the styles they choose to wear. Why would you come to a party with your faces painted like your a clown. There was a woman there who had pink, I mean red blush running from the bottom of her eye to the bottom of her face. I didn't understand it. Man! There was this woman her hair was so long that it dragged in dirt. The dirt! Why? I don't have a clue. *Sigh*, ok the last woman I'll mention was running around searching the ground screaming "My God, my earing!", and attempted to get the black people around to help her look. But, of course they instead pretended to look while silently laughing. Ah boy, God forgive me. its not that I'm laughing at the women. It's just that I didn't understand the fashions. Man fashion is a funny thing.

A when mi did outside a clean up d yard mi si dis pretty black girl a walk in inna dis plain off di shoulda white pretty looking dress. When mi luk good an nuh Esta! Yes man she did look nice, mi did feel good yuh si. She an Mardiki tek dem time and walk tru di door an go inside.

 Later that evening, I was outside cleaning the yard and saw a pretty black girl wearing a beautiful off the shoulder white dress walking up the walkway. Squinting I realized it was Esta. Man she looked so beautiful! I was so proud of her. Mardiki escorted her up the path and they both entered the plantation house.

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[ESTA POST 2] Rah, U nuh Si Dem Dash Weh Mrs. Xerxes?! / Man,You Know They Banished Lady Xerxes! (Esther Approximately...)

Mhm Mek we continue... Weh mi did deh? Oh yes! Mrs. Xerxes say she neva did a go guh to Maas Xerxes. Alright, yes suh...

Ok, So lets continue... Where were we? Oh yes! Lady Xerxes sent to tell Lord Xerxes she wasn't coming.

Wen di slave guh back to Maas Xerxes now an tell him weh she seh. Him start get Mad! Tun red red!You should a si him! Mi neva kno people coulda get suh red. An a suh di sweet sweet party pap dung; *hiss mi teet* It bun me you si!*chuh*. Likkle afta dat happ'n me ongle si Maas Xerxes and him fren dem start walk inna di house n lock up inna him werk room. Yes, suh unu dun know how me stay, me jus tek time an ich up a di door n gwaan like me a mop me did hear EVEERYTIIING.*Heh heh*

When the slave returned and told Lord Xerxes what his wife had said; he got so angry he became a deep shade of red. You know,I didn't know people could become that shade of red. Sadly though,that was the end of the lovely celebration. Darn it, I was really enjoying myself! It was then Lord Xerxes and his friends left to his den. But you know how I am,I wasn't going to miss out on what was happening. So I pretended to be mopping and heard every word *ha ha ha*.

Mi hear Maas Xerxes start halla  "How is it that I sent for her and she refused me?  Does she not know who I am? How dare she!" Backfoot, Mrs. Xerxses salt now! "You must send her back to England!" One a di man dem shout out. A nex one bawl out "You must remind of her status, you are the man, head of the house; she is the woman" Den everybody start shout out an a bang pan di dex. All heap a tings did a happ'n! Afta a while it did get quiet an mi hear Lord Xerxes say "She will return to England... tonight!".

"How is it that I sent for and she refused me? Does she not know who I am? How dare she!", shouted Lord Xerxes. Oooh, she's in trouble now! "You must send her back to England!", shouted one of his colleagues. "You must remind her of her status, you are the man of the house; she is the woman.", another

shouted. Then it seemed as though all hell broke lose,sounded like they were banging on desks and every one was trying to out shout each other.It then suddenly became quiet and Lord Xerxes calmly said "she will return to England... tonight".

Hol on a minute! Pause d story. Cu pan dem to, bout him muss remind har bout har status. *Hmt* .... Har role in d house nuh; she shoulda dash likkle sumting inna him food like how is har role...BRITE!  Ahem, ahem...  Sarry, sarry hignore dat. Mout get weh fram mi you know.

*Children dont falla me yuh hear dat a nuh one good ting to do.*

Yes as me did a seh.... di story

Hold on a minute! Let's pause the story. Really though! Did you hear that, He should remind her of her status? Disgusting! Her role is in the house huh? She should have placed something in his food; you know since it is her role and all. Ridiculous! Ahem, Ahem... I mean excuse me, ignore the out burst. The words just flew out of my mouth.

*Children don't do what I just said, it isn't right*

Yes right, As i was saying... the story

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[ESTA POST 1] A who tell har fi seh dat?!! / Who told her to say that? (Esther Approximately...)

*Alright, this story isn't historically accurate and isn't trying to be.

Den suppose it did happen at Rose Hall Great house, roun about slavery time. What if di house did bill up before Annie Palmer an har wickedniss. You see it? alright Good! Add on now seh a man deh deh. One rich riiich man, right. Richest one roun a Mobay. Dat rich man now, him have a wife, a pretty pretty wife enuh. Everybody say she a di prettiest ooman from deh side deh. But har attitude did stink....

INTRODUCTION

Set in Montego Bay Jamaica in the year 1909 The events take place on the plantation owned by a Lord Thomas Xerxes; the story centers around Esther the mulatto Jamaican heroine who courageously saves her people.

Me did deh deh enuh, yeah man me did deh deh. Maas Xerxes plantation house did deh pan one hill, and it look ova dis whole heap a land. It was di terd year him did own di plantation an him did waan sho off seh him rich, an hol one biiig biiig party. You waan know seh everybody did deh deh. Him white fren dem, who did have dem owna plantation did deh deh. Di man who watch the slave dem did deh deh. All him slave dem did deh deh. Yeah man it did niiice! Di place all fix up nice. Him did set up some table and chair inna d garden an string up some nice claut through di tree dem; and dem time deh di flowers did come out. Di place did jus pretty.  Yes, sun shining bright n ting was a wondaful day. Man! Mek me tell you dem did have whole heap a food chicken, fish, some sweet tings, potato, bread... Man nuff tings did deh deh an dem did put it a pan a stooch silva plate an we drink from some stooch cup. Rum and wine did a pour!Man mi seh di music did sweet yuh si.

Lord Xerxes plantation house overlooked a wide expanse of land. In his third year of ownership, he housed a celebratory event wanting to flaunt his wealth. All were in attendance all his colleagues,fellow plantation owners from neighboring properties, overseers and all his slaves. It was grand party the expensive fabrics woven through the branches of the trees; coupled with the flowers in bloom, was a lovely sight.  Lord and Lady Xerxes had made sure to put their expensive furniture out on display; lovely carved wooden chairs and tables. Oh, on that day we had a feast. There was chicken, fish, potatoes,pastries and so much more. I vividly remember being given a silver up of wine and being awe struck by how shiny the it was, it sparkled. And the music; yes the music, it was just divine.

Mrs. Xerxes now did in a har owna room. She and di odda wife dem did a have dem owna party; a suh mi fren did tell me. Mhm, she did deh ova deh side deh, Yeah. So, di ooman dem a gwaan enjoy dem self man a drink n a chat n a ... Dem a do dem ting man, when Maas Xerxes call fi har. It look like seh him did waan show har off to him fren dem. Yeah man!, like how she did a di pretties ooman n ting. But she nuh tell di house slave seh she nah go. Yes! You shoulda hear har. 
"I am not going out there, For what reason? Am I his play thing, to do with what he wishes?  No!"

Meanwhile in the parlor room Lady Xerxes was celebrating with all the wives. They were having there own celebration. That's what my friend told me she was there. The women were drinking, talking you know enjoying themselves. When Xerxes sent for her, he wanted to show her off. knowing she was a woman of great beauty. the most beautiful around. However Lady Xerxes when fetched told the slave She wasnt going. Her exact words were,
"For what reason am I his play thing, to do with what he wishes? No!"

Baxide!!! Mi nuh kno a wah did do she but Maass Xerxes get VEX. A who tell har fi seh dat!

Woah! I don't know what she was thinking.Lord Xerxes was very angry. Who told her to say that!

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