Petchary's Blog

The Petchary is a seasonal guest in Jamaica, known for its loud calls both day and night, particularly before an approaching storm. On its blog, the Petchary shares insights about these storms as well as the quiet moments that follow.

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Greenpeace statement at the opening of UN Ocean Conference in Nice.

2 weeks ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

Tomorrow is the opening of what should be viewed as a crucial meeting in Nice, France: the UN Ocean Conference. There is so much to discuss – science mixed with politics mixed with money concerns, one suspects. I hope that science comes out on top. As is usual at such conferences, civil society organisations have an important role to play.
An Ocean State of Mind

2 weeks ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky…”Today, June 7 2025, is World Ocean Day. As an island dweller for my entire life – and for the last few decades on a small island, where the ocean is never more than 25 miles away – I have always felt close to the ocean. My father, a sailor all his life, perhaps loved the ocean more than land. He was nowhere happier than sailing the wind and waves.
Revival Council Launched to Mark UNESCO Recognition of Jamaica’s African spiritual tradition

3 weeks ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

We often hear music at nights, especially at weekends. Kingston is a lively city, and there is always something happening – whether it is roots reggae at the Bob Marley Museum, a soca fest at the Mas Camp, American soul music at a neighbour’s party – or all kinds of music at the Ranny Williams Centre, down the road. Last week, I remember hearing something a little different: I simply heard voices and drums: strong and with an element of joy and community. I could not quite define it.
Happy fifteenth birthday to my blog!

3 weeks ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

I just got a note from WordPress that my blog is now officially fifteen years old. Wow. It doesn’t seem like that long – I still vividly remember putting “pen to paper” – or rather, fingers to my beloved iMac’s wireless keyboard – back in June, 2010. I won’t pat myself on the back, however. It’s hard work sustaining a blog with content that you believe your readers will enjoy.
The pain of the Haitian refugees that Jamaica sends back: our inhumane treatment must end

1 month ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

We ought to be ashamed of ourselves. But, we are not. By “we” I mean the Jamaican Government. I believe many Jamaican citizens, when they think about it, must have at least a twinge of conscience. After all, Jamaicans have suffered persecution in the past, and many have migrated too, legally or illegally. However, we sent our “Caribbean brothers and sisters” back almost as soon as they arrived on these shores – desperate, hungry.
Jamaica’s Labour Day has an environmental theme and UNEP welcomes it

1 month ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

Thursday, May 22 is International Biodiversity Day. The day after (Friday, May 23) is a Public Holiday – Labour Day. This year, the two are closely linked: Jamaica’s official Labour Day Project is at the fascinating Mason River Protected Area (a treasure trove of biodiversity itself). I would love to go but cannot manage the journey through the beautiful hills of Clarendon. However, I would highly recommend that Jamaicans make the effort to join the Labour Day celebrations there.
A book(ish) interlude: Jamaica’s Calabash Festival, WARE Art, and the Commonwealth Short Stories

1 month ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

I was just reading a Substack piece by Jamaican writer Diana McCaulay, – her thoughts as she prepares for the upcoming Calabash International Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, Jamaica next weekend (May 23 – 25). Diana’s sixth book, A House for Miss Pauline, was published in February; it is an energising read that I would strongly recommend. In fact, I would insist you read it! I interviewed the author for Global Voices here. If you are “Calabashing,” you will find Miss Pauline there.
A small boat, landing on Haitian Flag Day: why does Jamaica not protect the rights of Haitian refugees?

1 month ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

I read a newspaper report that a small boat (twenty feet long) with forty men, women, children, including a baby on board had arrived in eastern Jamaica early on Sunday morning. My first thought was: Well, they will get health checks, held by the police like criminals, no due process or opportunity to apply for asylum, then shipped back as soon as possible on a Jamaican coast guard ship (probably tonight, under cover of darkness) – to a country where gangs are terrorising the population.
Advocating for action: CCRP presents its case for the protection and human rights of elderly Jamaicans

1 month ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

Last Tuesday, May 12, 2025, was a significant day for the Jamaican non-governmental organisation the Caribbean Community for Retired Persons (commonly known as CCRP). The organisation’s Founder and Executive Chair, Mrs. Jean Lowrie-Chin, made a quietly compelling presentation to a Select Committee of Senators of Parliament, during which she shared information and put forward proposals for consideration.
Jamaicans for Justice welcomes Supreme Court ruling on States of Public Emergency

1 month ago | petchary.wordpress.com | Emma Lewis

Many critical matters of governance (including environmental concerns – an important trial begins on May 26) eventually end up in Jamaican courts these days, hopefully to be resolved one way of the other. I am not a “legal person” but I understand that one can’t go tossing these issues around forever in the public sphere. Guidance (and precedence) is needed, and things need to be settled according to the rule of law.