THE flood of tributes kept pouring in yesterday for Jamaica’s cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverly, as the reality of her death in Toronto, Canada, on Wednesday took root in the minds of the island’s people.

Governor-General Kenneth Hall described Bennett, affectionately called “Miss Lou”, as one of the most distinguished Jamaicans ever. She was, he said, loved by all, even as she epitomised what it means to be Jamaican.

“Miss Lou was a cultural pioneer for this country, and having mastered her own appreciation for the language, people and all things Jamaican, propagated these sentiments across the entire world,” he said in a written tribute.

“Her extensive body of publications in Jamaican creole, and her acting skills have raised the dialect of the Jamaican folk to an art level, which is acceptable to, and appreciated by all Jamaicans.”

There simply is no forgetting, the GG said, the ease with which she brought vitality to the stage and schooled many a young mind in the art and wonder of story telling.

“One cannot forget the energy and ease she brought to the stage and the rapt attention which children gave to her as they watched her weekly television programme ‘Ring Ding’,” he said.

“Miss Lou almost single-handedly brought up a whole generation of Jamaicans. She taught us that though we were small we had a valuable contribution to make to the world… in her own words, ‘wi lickle but wi tallawah’.”

One can now only hope that more Jamaicans would follow in her footsteps, which led her to a lifetime of contributions to the island, he concluded.

“This pioneering Jamaican will be etched forever in the annals of history as one who used her creativity and natural abilities to reflect the rich diversity of this country. Her many accolades were well-deserved and it would be to her credit if every Jamaican emulated her loyalty to, and love for, country,” he said. “While we have lost a valuable daughter of this country, we can be proud that she gave so much to us as a people and inspired us to achieve greatness. Miss Lou was indeed one ‘bonoonoonoos’ Jamaican, and we will miss her.”

The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) also joined in mourning the loss of the beloved Jamaican, noting that she was a “treasure of monumental proportions”.

“In the 1940s and 1950s, as a drama officer of the Jamaica Social Development Commission, she travelled across the country studying the rich folklore and oral history and giving performances of her dialect poems and Anancy stories to capacity audiences in rural communities,” the JLP said. “The material that she collected in her research was to find expression in her poetry, her performances in the annual Pantomime and in radio programmes which she hosted, both in Jamaica and in Britain as well as on the popular ‘Ring Ding’ programme for children on local television.”

The Opposition added that Bennett had left an enduring legacy which had given voice to the language of the people – patois.

“In her writings and performances, Miss Lou gave voice to the language of the people, capturing its subtlety and its humour. A grateful nation honoured her with the Order of Merit, which is restricted to only fifteen living members,” the JLP said. “She has left us an enduring legacy in the many young persons who perform her poems and dialect verses in the Festival Competition, in poetry readings and in other offerings of the performing arts.”

Claudette Cameron-Stewart, president of the Merl Grove Past Students’ Association in Toronto Canada, agreed.

“Miss Lou, upon your last curtain call, I want to say “thank you” for making us so very, very proud of our language. Mi taalk inna it all di time! Without you, there would be no us.

You made us proud of Jamaica as we were brought up to know and love our island home and her “di riddim sweet” language,” she said.

The People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO), for its part, hailed Miss Lou as a most outstanding “daughter of Jamaica”.

“Miss Lou’s contribution to Jamaica’s cultural dominance is an epic story that continues to inspire the lives of young Jamaicans and we will always remember her as a source of national pride,” the PNPYO said.

Her achievements, which can only be described as legendary, the PNPYO added, had helped to give Jamaica a sense of belonging in a world of “unique dynamism and challenges”.

“We call upon all Jamaicans to use the memories of Miss Lou’s accomplishments as a source of inspiration as we seek to arrive at a secure destination in the twenty-first century,” the PNPYO encouraged.

– williamsp@jamaicaobserver.com