Inna di heart a di Caribbean, where di sea blend into shades a blue weh yuh eyes can hardly tell apart, a vibrant island name St Kitts stand tall. Right deh so, ‘mongst di lush greenery and di sweet reggae beats, a young girl name Kaya did grow up. Kaya, wid a spirit as free as di island breeze, did a itch fi some adventure beyond di familiar corners a her yaad.
One bright mornin’, Kaya decide seh it time fi tek a likkle journey go cross to Nevis, a place she hear nuff stories ’bout but neva did set foot pon. Wid her heart full a curiosity and excitement, she hop pon di ferry, leavin’ behind di known sights a St Kitts. As Nevis start fi come into view, Kaya feel di excitement a bubble up inside her. She hear all ’bout di island beauty, its warm springs, and di majestic Nevis Peak weh seem like it a reach fi di sky.
As she step off pon Nevis, Kaya start fi roam ’round di quaint streets, her eyes wide wid wonder at di new sights. It wasn’t long ‘fore she stumble ‘pon a group a Rastas, gathered ‘neath a massive mango tree, di air thick wid di scent a nature and di soft hum a nyabinghi drums. Intrigued, Kaya move closer, drawn by di peaceful vibes and di warm smiles dat greet her.
“Wha’ gwaan, sistren?” one a dem call out, his dreadlocks shining under di sun.
“I jus’ a explore,” Kaya reply, a likkle shy but curious. “Mi come from St Kitts.”
“Well, yuh come to di right place fi learn ’bout di Rasta way a life,” another Rasta say, inviting her to sit down ‘mongst dem.
As di day wear on, Kaya learn ’bout Ital food, di importance a livin’ in harmony wid di Earth, and di deep spiritual beliefs dat guide di Rasta faith. She listen to stories a Marcus Garvey, Haile Selassie, and di journey towards self-discovery and liberation. Di Rastas share wid her di significance a their dreadlocks, a symbol a di lion’s mane, representing strength and pride.
Kaya was fascinated. Every word, every note a reggae music, felt like it was speakin’ directly to her soul. She neva did feel so connected to her roots and to di Earth before. As di sun begin fi set, painting di sky in shades a gold and purple, Kaya realize dat dis day, dis experience, would stay wid her fi a lifetime.
“Tank yuh,” she say, as she prepare fi leave. “Today mi learn more dan mi ever coulda imagine.”
“Yuh always welcome ‘mongst us,” one a di Rastas say, wid a smile. “Di journey a discovery never end.”
Kaya head back to St Kitts as di stars begin fi light up di sky, her heart full a joy and her mind buzzing wid new knowledge and perspectives. She know dis was jus’ di beginning a her own journey to understanding and embracing di world in all its diversity.
