The Belizean Anthem in Creole and English

Belize Anthem in Creole:  (Leela Vernon)
“O, Lan a di free.”

O, Lan a di free bai di Kyaribeeyan See
Wi korij wi plej fi kip yu free
Unu tairant kyaahn stay ya; unu despots hafu goh
Fahn disya plays a demokrasi.
Wi ansesta blod don bles disya grong
Dats wai wi wahn free; nohmoh slayv wi wahn bee.

Koaros:
Git op – aal weh kohn fahn di Baymen klan
Put aan unu aama; difen disya lan
Jraiv bak di enimi; unu enimi hafu goh fahn ya!
Fahn wi lan a di free bai di Kyaribeeyan See.

Naycha don bles – mek yu rich rich rich
Oava mongtin ahn vali weh graas ron gud
Wi ansestaz, di Baymen, schrang ahn brayv
Jraiv bak di enimi; kip dehn weh fahn ya.
Fahn prowd Rio Hondo tu oal Saastoon
Chroo koaral reef, oava bloo lagoon
Kip wach wid di dehn aynjel, di staarz ahn moon
Kaa freedom wahn kohn sotay tumaaro noon.

(Ripeet Koaros)

Belize Anthem in English

O, Land of the free by the Carib Sea,
Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty
No tyrants here linger, despot must flee
This tranquil haven of democracy
The blood of our sires which hollows the sod,
Brought freedom from slavery oppression’s rod
By the might of truth and the grace of God.
No longer shall we be hewers of wood.

Chorus:
Arise! Ye sons of the Baymen’s clan,
Put on your armors, clear the land!
Drive back the tyrants let despots flee-
Land of the free by the Carib Sea!

Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold,
O’er mountains and valleys where prairies roll;
Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold
Drove back the invaders; this heritage hold
From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon,
Through coral isle, over blue lagoon;
Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;
For freedom comes to-morrow’s noon.

Chorus

Purchase your copy of Mangrove Roots Chronicles here

Hardcover, Soft Cover and  eBook available. Click image to buy book.

This is a new phase for me as I venture to market this book.  As far as I am concerned, I would like everyone to get a copy, and particularly those whose lives seem to parallel mine in myriad ways.  I am so grateful for e-books during these times.  E-books makes it possible for many to purchase a copy without feeling too much of a pinch on your budget.  Please feel free to make comments and give feedback.  I hope you enjoy it.

Volume II is scheduled for publishing in December 2012. Join me in as my journey continues into adulthood and encounter situations that made a significant impression in my life.  High school was my first  milestone completed.  But without family members or close associates to help me with making decisions for my future, where do I go?  The struggle continues as this family sage forges through serene and humble times and heroically march into the years of the nationalistic movement with unfettered zeal.  A time when patriotism and a love for the country of Belize country is born. Get a birds-eye view of repetitive generational cycles at work in the life of this African decent family. Enjoy the memories of time gone by, and learn of the changing cultures and traditions that were forged with this nation. 

The upcoming volume delves into personal situations as the protagonist sought to create a life for herself and small children.  (To be continued)

Reviews on Mangrove Roots Chronicles - Volume I

A New Dawn

It's been a long road. I am grateful for all the support I have been getting from my family and friends as I delve into marketing my book.  I am currently planning a few book signing events around the United States and Belize. Such an exciting time.  It's seems almost surreal.  So much time has passed since the conception of this project.  I still can't believe it is really out.

Personally, I tend to be very critical of anything I do. Subsequently, I feel a bit nervous about hearing what my readers have to say about Mangrove Roots Chronicles, Volume I...even though, I really want to get the feedback.  I will use your comments and critique as constructive criticism to
 modify my techniques in order to enhance my presentation. Please leave comment.

"I never read a book twice, but I have to read Mangrove Roots Chronicles again. Very interesting book."
- David Coates, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

"A well written book, Kaya. I never knew very much about Belize, but after reading your book, I feel like I have been there. Great job!"
-William Dewey, Castaic, CA

"I'm on chapter five and I can't put your book down.  I only read one other book that  captivated me as much as Mangrove Roots Chronicles."
- Robbie Gordon, Marina Del Rey, CA

"Your book is wonderful, Kaya.  It took me through so many emotions.  It made me laugh and it made me cry. Mangrove Roots Chronicles is engaging, entertaining, and interesting reading."
-Ian Noel, Esq., Inglewood, CA

"Kaya I can't stop reading!"
-Anonymous

Update - Availability of Volume I

Mangrove Roots Chronicles - Volume I Now Available

 

CLICK HERE

With a sense of fulfillment I am happy to announce that Mangrove Roots Chronicles is now available in three forms:  Hard Cover $29.99  -  Laminated Paper Back $19.99 -  eBook  $3.99

New Year - New Chapter (Mangrove Roots Vol. I Published)

From the author:

2012 has started with a boom. Mangrove Roots Chronicles - Volume I is in the process of being published.   It really feels good to say that. :-) The book will be made available around the middle of January, 2012 on this site (MangroveRootsChronicles.blogspot.com), Amazon.com, and various other locations to be announced as soon as they become available.
Volume I will be available in hard cover, soft cover, and eBook at various locations including this site(mangroverootschronicles.blogspot.com), Amazon.com, as well as the facebook fan page and other places which will be announced as soon as they are available.

Volume I left many incidents and situations critical to the outcome of the narrative unmentioned. To resolve this, Volume II, including parts three and four of the original manuscript will include flashback scenarios that will cover important events that were not elaborated in Volume I.  Also, the author decided to publish a 2nd Ed of Volume I to include more dialogue to support the way of life among the people, cultures and traditions she encountered growing up in a somewhat hostile environment.    The projected second edition will also mention some important personal incidents in the life of the protagonist that went unmentioned, as she struggled to make it through high school at a very vulnerable age. This edition is estimated to be ready in June 2012 to be available along with Volume II, which is currently in progress.
The first volume was more informative about the growing up process of a young girl in the midst of turbulent political and social change in Belize, keeping strong focus on the peoples, cultures and traditions of British Hondura, lending a candid view of the country that has never been offered before.   It also tells a somewhat traumatic story of survival through poverty, sexual molestation, innuendos of superstition and obeah (voodoo), betrayals, and eventually, success. This volume ends in 1974 after the birth of a daughter to the protoganist of the book, soon after successfully making it to high school. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So...new year, new chapter. I am now working on Volume II, with an estimated publishing date of December 2012 with consistent work.  Volume II emphasizes life in Belize for the teenage single mother, as she attempts to make a go at life as an adult on her own, and delves into her personal situations and thought processes as she searched for herself.  This is therefore a very different book from the first volume,  giving readers a birdseye view of her life as she struggles to find her identity.  The narrative presents myriads of personal situations, leading to a second child, and finally to the life-changing decision to leave her beloved country behind, and like the long trail of predecessors, relocate to the United States of America to seek out oppportunities to improve economic conditions.  She was also excited about the though of using this opportinity to attend a university to obtain a higher education. 

Part four of this volume focuses on her trip to the United States through the back, when she was refused a visa from the U.S. Consulate after several desperate attempts.  This section is a story of it's own as the young woman left everything she has ever known behind her, and set out on the adventure of her life to get to America, crossing Central America and myriads of exciting and life changing situations through the vast landscape of Mexico with four people who were virtual strangers, to arrive at the U.S. border held up at a motel with two others desperate to cross the fence into a new life.  This part of the book chronicles experiences she encountered during the journey, and crecendos into heightened emotions as the three encountered life threatening situations trying to get to the U.S.  Did they make it across the wire fence? 

The author's purpose is to inform about the life of this young woman and that of young adults in British Honduras, thriving for taking a historical look at how the lives of young people played out in that highly political and sometimes daunting environment.