About Us
Ananse SoundSplash is produced by Ntukuma, a registered voluntary not-for-profit Cultural Non-Governmental Organisation which has been operating since 2003. Ntukuma, The Storytelling Foundation of Jamaica, is managed by a Voluntary Board of Directors with Amina Blackwood Meeks, Founder and Programmes Director.
Ntukuma is dedicated to the use of storytelling as a transformative tool.
Ntukuma’s vision is the revival of the rich oral heritage of Jamaica and its full utilization in curriculum delivery, building leadership skills, facilitating personal growth, enriching the spirit of the Jamaican/Caribbean people and contributing to the building of social capital.
Our Status in Numbers
Years of Ananse Soundsplash Festival
Ananse Soundsplash is one of the oldest storytelling festivals in the world being first staged in 1998 and rebranded in 2012 as Ananse SoundSplash.
AN NTUKUMA PRODUCTION
A Vision For Cultural Retention
A CONNECTION WITH OUR RICH HERITAGE
Explore the unique value of Jamaica’s rich oral tradition and its contribution to national pride.
NATION-BUILDING
Training the next generation of Storytellers
ENSURING THE RIGHTS OF OUR CHILDREN TO CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Receiving The Proclamation Of National Storytelling Day From The Governor General
NTUKUMA PEOPLE
Meet the core members
Ntukuma is made up of an amazing group of storytellers gifted as authors, teachers, culinary specialists, heritage studies scholars, workshop facilitators, communication experts and tour guides. Many of them are award-winning practitioners in their particular fields. Their blended skills mark Ntukuma as a one-of-a-kind organisation where storytellers function as story listeners and story writers dedicated to making every storytelling event a memorable, value-added experience for each member of every audience.
Amina Blackwood-Meeks
Award-winning actress, performer, workshop facilitator, motivational speaker and custodian of oral tradition.
Gwyneth Harold
Prolific award-winning writer for young adults
A-dZiko Simba
Award-winning writer for young adults
Humroy Whyte
Poet, musician, drama in education specialist
Damian Herridge
Theatre Arts Teacher and culinary specialist
Hassane Gordon
Award-winning culinary specialist
Janet Crick
Culinary tourism operator
Hazle Williams “Yahmin”Vaz
Community Development specialist
Kasike Kalaan
Taino Chief, The Hummingbird Tribe
Jerry-Neal Richards
Patsy Gordon
Natoyan Garwood