Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture

How can food tell the story of a people? What can Caribbean cuisine reveal about migration, colonialism, family history, and identity across the diaspora? In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris sits down with Hema Ramsingh of The Moreish Podcast for a rich conversation about Caribbean food culture, storytelling, genealogy, and the lasting legacies of colonialism. Together, they explore how traditional dishes, family recipes, and everyday meals carry memories of migration, resistance, survival, and cultural exchange throughout the Caribbean diaspora. Hema shares the origins of The Moreish Podcast, the...

How did colonial laws shape slavery, race, and justice in the Caribbean—and why do their legacies still matter today? In this thought-provoking episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris explores the enduring impact of colonial law, slavery, and the legal systems that established and maintained racial inequality throughout the Caribbean and the African diaspora. Through historical analysis and engaging conversation, this episode examines how colonial governments used legislation to legitimize enslavement, enforce racial hierarchies, control labor, regulate land ownership, expand economic exploitation, and shape policing and systems of punishment. These le...

What happens when our memories, photographs, documents, and digital lives slowly disappear? How can we ensure that future generations inherit not just our records, but our stories? In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris sits down with historian Tom Mullaney to discuss his thought-provoking book, How We Disappear, and the many ways history can be lost—not only through catastrophic events but through the gradual erosion of personal records, family archives, and digital information. Together, they explore how family photographs, genealogical records, digital files, government documents, and everyday information sh...

What can archives tell us about the lives of enslaved Africans—and what have they left unsaid? In this compelling episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris welcomes Associate Professor Kathrine Gerbner to discuss her groundbreaking new book, Archival Irruptions. Together, they explore how Caribbean archives, missionary records, and colonial documents both reveal and conceal the religious lives, resilience, and agency of enslaved Africans in eighteenth-century Jamaica. The conversation examines the Moravian Church's mission in Jamaica, the criminalization of Obeah (Obia) following Tacky's Revolt of 1760, and the complex relationship between Christianity, Af...

In this episode Dr. Amanda T. Perry discusses her research on how early nineteenth-century Haiti used the language of indigeneity to define nationhood after the revolution. The conversation explores how formerly enslaved Africans, Taíno memory, and political claims to territory shaped the new state's identity and citizenship. Topics include the Declaration of Independence, racial and social divisions, exclusions of French colonists, later debates about Taíno presence, and the long-term implications for Caribbean ideas of belonging and nationhood.   Bio: Amanda T. Perry is a writer, scholar, educator, and literary critic bas...

In this episode we speak with Paula Ogun Hector, creator of Tapestry of Black Britons, about uncovering and preserving the long, diverse history of people of African and Caribbean descent in Britain. We explore how art, community storytelling and archival research reveal contributions stretching from Roman Britain to the present. Through tapestry, workshops and exhibitions Paula shows how reclaiming these stories builds belonging, challenges myths about British history, and connects family and national memory across generations.   BIO: Paula Ogun Hector is a British cultural producer, artist, educator, and founder and Creative D...

In this episode of Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris interviews travel journalist and TV host Natalie Preddie to explore Caribbean history beyond the typical resort experience. They delve into the rich heritage and family genealogy of the islands, uncovering stories shaped by colonialism and community resilience. Explore how community-led tourism offers travelers a meaningful connection to Caribbean culture and history. This conversation highlights sustainable travel, the positive local economic impact, and why understanding historical legacies is essential for connecting deeply with the Caribbean's people and places. BIO Natalie Preddie...

In this episode of Dis A fi mi History, Professor Clive Forrester explores how English and Creole coexist in the Caribbean and how language shapes power, identity, and access to justice. We discuss language advocacy, bilingual education, courtroom interpretation, and cultural movements that uplift Creole languages as tools for social justice and community empowerment. Bio: Professor Clive Forrester is a Jamaican linguist, educator, and scholar whose work explores the intersection of language, identity, and communication. His academic journey led him to investigate how judges in Jamaican courtrooms interpret and translate the speech of...

Dis A fi mi History Season 9 explores memory, archives, and cultural preservation across the Caribbean and its diaspora. Episodes examine language, music, archives, genealogy, spirituality, and the stories that shape identity. Featuring conversations with scholars and community storytellers—from linguistic forensics and ancestral healing to archival silences and genetic genealogy—this season highlights how we remember, resist, and preserve our past for the present and future.   Book: Book The Emotions of Researching your Family Tree: https://a.co/d/0jiaxXxi #MemoryArchive #CulturalPreservation #OralTradition #StorytellingMatters #LanguagePreservation #HeritageMatters #CaribbeanHeritage #LivingHistory #PreservingOurStories #Voice...

Welcome back to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast—where we center Caribbean histories, voices, and the many ways our stories are preserved across generations, including family genealogy and heritage. Today’s episode reminds us that not all archives are written—some are spoken, performed, and passed down through voice, serving as a vital mode of preserving Caribbean history and culture. Across the Caribbean, storytelling has long been one of the most powerful ways to preserve memory and family history. From yard stories to stage performances, from elders’ voices to contemporary digital platforms, these narratives carry hi...

In this insightful episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris delves into genetics and healthcare access within Caribbean communities with Dr. Carika Waldon of Cary Genetics. They explore how genetic testing, including ancestry analysis and pharmacogenetics, intersects with Caribbean history, family genealogy, and heritage. Dr. Waldon shares her personal journey and highlights the importance of regional representation in genomic research to empower family planning and improve health outcomes in the Caribbean.   Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on testing options, data privacy, and the proactive use of genetics in wellness. Resources a...

On this episode of the Dis A fi mi History Podcast, Dr. Ryan  Persadie explores Indo‑Caribbean identity through music, family memory, and the legacy of indentureship. The conversation centers on Chutney and Soca as sites where masculinity, queerness, language, and migration histories are performed, contested, and reimagined. Through personal stories, intergenerational memories, and cultural analysis, the episode shows how music and dance preserve marginalized histories, unsettle archival silences, and offer practices of joy, resistance, and belonging across generations and geographies. Bio: Dr. Ryan Persadie is a scholar, writer, and Course Instructor at the...

In this episode of the Dis A fi mi History Podcast, host and guest Professor Kristen Block explore the lives of ordinary people in the early Caribbean—maroons, sailors, Quakers, and enslaved individuals—revealing how religion, empire, and survival shaped their worlds. Using archival records and personal stories, the conversation considers identity, resistance, family, and the complex ties between church and state, showing how everyday experiences challenge elite narratives and continue to echo into the present.   BIO: Kristen Block is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). A histo...

Host Wendy Aris engages with Alyssa Green, founder of the Cayman Heritage Guide, in a deep dive into preserving Caribbean history and family genealogy through community efforts in the Cayman Islands. They explore the rich oral storytelling tradition, the impacts of colonialism, and the essential roles of women and language in shaping Caymanian identity. This episode highlights the challenges of safeguarding cultural heritage amid modern changes while turning community memory into a living archive. Listeners will gain valuable insights on why accessible heritage work matters for family history enthusiasts and those interested in Caribbean heritage preservation. <...

In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris delves into Caribbean history and colonialism through a conversation with author Roderick Sargeant about his historical-speculative essay "Seven Sisters." The essay traces family genealogy and ancestral memory across Barbados' plantation landscapes, exploring themes of drumming, chanting, rhythm, and silence. They discuss how resistance and memory survive beyond written archives, emphasizing the importance of oral and embodied traditions in preserving culture.   Their storytelling sheds light on healing generational trauma and reconnecting communities to their heritage and family history. Join us to uncover powerful s...

In this episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, Professor Idalia T. Wilmoth delves into crucial aspects of Caribbean history and heritage through the lens of Black Roatán identity, migration, and language preservation. Exploring family genealogy and the significance of family archives, she paints an immersive picture of how cultural memory is preserved through storytelling, religion, and language amidst political challenges and displacement. Listeners gain insight into the emotional landscapes faced by Caribbean and Central American diasporic communities as they strive to maintain their unique identity. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of safeguarding documents, o...

In this enlightening episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris speaks with Chedwick Crieghtney, founder of the Gold Pill Group, about conscious return tours that reconnect the Caribbean diaspora to Africa on emotional, cultural, and economic levels. Dive deep into the heart of Caribbean history and family genealogy as Chedwick explains the transformative 'Gold Pill' concept, the healing traditions of Sankofa, and the significance of naming ceremonies. Explore practical pathways for travel, relocation, and community building in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming heritage and ancestral ties. This...

In this episode of the Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host and Dr. Marva Ferguson delve into the experiences of Jamaican-born adults who migrated to Canada as children, situating their stories within the broader context of Caribbean history and family genealogy. They explore the complex two-step migration process, including the challenges of family separation and reunification, schooling in a new country, experiences of racism, and the lasting emotional and social effects on families. Using personal stories alongside academic research, this episode highlights how physical distance reshapes identity, belonging, and family ties. The conversation also urges the...

In this episode of Dis A fi mi History Podcast, Jennifer Henczel, founder of the Women Podcasters Network, discusses how podcasting empowers women to share stories and build communities, particularly within the context of heritage and family history. They explore the Network's mission, monetization support, and the People's Choice awards, which teach creators how to engage and rally their audiences effectively. Jennifer also shares her personal journey of resilience and community-building, offering practical tips for starting a podcast and encouraging storytellers to use narrative as a powerful tool for healing and impact. This conversation is a compelling...

This episode explores the complex intersections of Christianity, colonialism, and slavery in the 17th–18th century Caribbean and Atlantic world. Historian Catherine Gerbner discusses her book, Christian Slavery, shedding light on how baptism and shared worship challenged the institution of slavery and unsettled slaveholders. The episode delves into the legal and racial shifts from identifying freedom by being 'Christian' to being 'white,' and the impactful roles of Quakers, Moravians, and other missionaries in the region. Listeners interested in Caribbean history, family genealogy, and heritage will gain practical guidance on using diverse church and missionary records to un...