Sophia Dowe, Chief Trench Town Culture Yard Tour Guide
In Kingston alone there are three key Bob Marley related experiences: Bob Marley Museum, Tuff Gong International, and Trench Town Culture Yard. They each have a different flavour and help to give a more rounded story of Marley and his music. To visit Trench Town is to step into a different world, one of deprivation and creativity, conflict and community. I've been asked why do we run tours to this inner city community? Isn't it a glamourisation of poverty, a kind of ugly, self satisfied voyeurism?
The obvious answer is that for us it is none of these things. Trench Town Culture Yard is an initiative of the Trench Town Development Association which is a community run organisation. The tours provide a way for persons to earn a living. Tourism is a major contributor to the GDP in Jamaica, and if some of the income can go to the neediest segment of Jamaica, not in the form of a hand out but as payment for a product, why shouldn't it? On our tours we are very respectful of people's spaces, we go only where allowed by the community, and we go only so far within the community.
The tour itself, run by community guides proud of their heritage, gives a history of Trench Town, explains the life of Bob Marley in Trench Town, and provides live music. Persons also have the option to leave the community run museum and walk with a guide through the streets of Trench Town. This is definitely a one of a kind experience, not to be missed, and wholly recommended. It may not be what you expected but it is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
To schedule a tour with us to Trench Town email info@jaculture.com or call 1 876 540 8570 (whatsapp).
The obvious answer is that for us it is none of these things. Trench Town Culture Yard is an initiative of the Trench Town Development Association which is a community run organisation. The tours provide a way for persons to earn a living. Tourism is a major contributor to the GDP in Jamaica, and if some of the income can go to the neediest segment of Jamaica, not in the form of a hand out but as payment for a product, why shouldn't it? On our tours we are very respectful of people's spaces, we go only where allowed by the community, and we go only so far within the community.
The tour itself, run by community guides proud of their heritage, gives a history of Trench Town, explains the life of Bob Marley in Trench Town, and provides live music. Persons also have the option to leave the community run museum and walk with a guide through the streets of Trench Town. This is definitely a one of a kind experience, not to be missed, and wholly recommended. It may not be what you expected but it is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
To schedule a tour with us to Trench Town email info@jaculture.com or call 1 876 540 8570 (whatsapp).
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