Capleton

THE Reggae Studies Unit lecture series at the University of the West Indies' (UWI) Mona Campus could see its biggest crowd yet, today, if everything goes according to plan. And the temperature is expected to be "Fiya Red", as according to the unit's head, Dr Carolyn Cooper, the "Fiya Man" Capleton, is likely to make a lecture presentation.

And already, the word making the rounds, is that neither of the two regular venues, the Neville Hall Lecture Theatre or the Social Science Lecture Theatre may be large enough to accommodate the turnout anticipated.

The "Fiya-brand" deejay, who is also dubbed "The Prophet", has more often than not, defended his burning proclivity. "Fiya" is the source of all energy", he preaches, thus "a nuff man a fight gainst di fiya and if a nuh fiya yu food cyaan cook, if a nuh fiya yu car cyaan drive...."

However, one of the legends of reggae music and elder Rastafarian entertainer, Bunny Wailer, has another perspective on the "fiya bun" issue which Capleton, if he does make his lecture presentation, may want to address.

In fact, Fiya Red (spelling included), is the title of one of Wailer's songs, which is a scathing rebuke of not just Capleton, but a younger generation of Rastafarian artistes who, to some elders, are mis-using the concept of "buning fiya".

Let it be clearly noted that the concept (of "bu(r)ning fiya") is not new to the Rastafari philosophy, nor did it begin with the now generation of Rastas. Neither is it just now being reflected in the music. It is also rooted in Christian traditions.

Who over 40 years of age can forget Winston "Niney" Holness' monster hit of the late 1960s titled Blood and Fire (with the punchline "blood, blood, blood and fire") or Bob Andy's hit of the same period, Fire Burning.

And of course, the point can also be made with the well known gospel chorus; "fire fire, fire falls on me. On the day of Pentecost, fire falls on me."

But in his song, Fiya Red, Bunny Wailer chants

"Nuff man out de wey sey dem a bun fiya
dem got de zeal but the wrong idea
In order fi I and I de fiya red lion fi bun fiya
We have fi bun it in a onion bag, crocus bag
and rubber tyre"

According to the sole survivor of the original Wailers, the song, which was released some three years ago and is included on his Communication album, "is a message to all Rastafarians home and abroad, whether you black, whether you white, whether you rich, whether you poor, whether you a deal with Rastalogy, Rastarisation or Rastocracy."

Jah B, as he is called, refrains in the song, from calling names, but he does raise pointed questions, viz:

" man can't step out in a name
brand an a bun fiya...
Man can a drive Benz and Bimmer
an a bun fiya?
Man can a dwell up in a big mansion
an a bun fiya?
Man can a seek bank account an
sey him a bun fiya?
Man can't a bun Jesus an' yet a it
him a seek after...."

The reggae pioneer, whose earlier 1980s Rock 'n Groove album heralded the dancehall era, concludes his counteraction, if you please, with "bunning some fiya" himself.

"Fiya bun fi who drive horseless chariot and sey him a bun fiya
For fiya no partial not even who a
bun fiya
So fiya bun fi who a dishonour the patriots and di Rasta elders
Fiya bun who a bun Jah and the
Nyahbinghi Order
Fiya bun who a preach racism and yet him a cross white man border
Fiya bun who sey him a son and no
know de father
Hotta fiya"

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