In this episode, Erna Brodber shares her journey from Jamaica to becoming a renowned writer and historian, emphasising the importance of community memory, cultural roots, and the creation of spaces for black liberation. She discusses her work in oral history, her novels, and the significance of reclaiming African and Caribbean histories.

Brodber turned oral histories into tools that challenge Western frameworks of time, history, and psychology, including her Commonwealth Prize–winning novel Myal (1988) and Louisiana (1994).

We trace her journey, culminating in her decision to leave the university and return home to serve her community.

This is a conversation about resistance through orature.

Takeaways

*Erna Brodber's background and early life in Jamaica
*The influence of community memory and oral traditions
*Her approach to writing and blending sociology with fiction
*The significance of cultural roots and African heritage
*The concept of black spaces and ancestral gardens
*The impact of colonialism and the metaphor of zombification
*Her work in oral history and community projects
*The importance of reclaiming and preserving history

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Erna Brodber's Work and Impact
02:01 Her Background and Connection to Jamaica
03:20 How Erna Brodber Started Writing
07:36 The Dual Education: Formal and Community Learning
14:33 Her Experience in the US and Return to Jamaica
18:05 Oral History and Community Memory Projects
22:42 From Oral Interviews to Fiction: Louisiana
28:08 The Significance of African Roots and Spiritual Traditions
32:58 Colonial Trauma and the Metaphor of Zombification
40:17 Building Black Spaces and Community Resilience
45:48 The Land as Memory: The Ancestral Gardens
52:21 Reflections on Her Life and Legacy

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla...

You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation.

That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!