Our Story
KNM is Jamaica's cultural hotspot quintessential pop-up market Tuesday evening staple event
Dr. Olive Lewin
Jamaican Ethnomusicologist, Pianist, Author, and Founder of the Jamaican Folk Singers
One cannot talk about Kingston Night Market without speaking about the significance of the physical space that is 8 Hillcrest Avenue.
The McDonald family bought the land at 8 Hillcrest from renowned Jamaican Ethnomusicologist, Social Anthropologist, author and teacher, Dr Olive Lewin, OD, OM.
During her impactful life, Dr Lewin achieved notoriety from her work in culture and music. In 1964-65, Lewin conducted an anthropological study on the ancestral lineages within Jamaica. During this research she spoke to many centenarians and other community leaders and members who had decades worth of stories to pass on. She learned about their history, food, social ties and performance practices. It was through this knowledge that she gained the inspiration to start the Jamaica Folk Singers in 1967. The goal of this group was specifically for the celebration and performance of Jamaican folk music, a unique grouping even during her time.
Not only did Dr Lewin live at 8 Hillcrest Ave, but she wrote in the space, taught in the space and the Folk Singers rehearsed in the space on a regular basis. Dr Lewin’s main abode throughout her legacy was here and therefore, her passions, goals and achievements quite literally emanate through the energy of 8 Hillcrest.
Before selling the land, Dr. Lewin charged the McDonald family to “keep the Jamaican culture alive” in everything they decided to use the space that was once her home for. Hyacinth noted that this charge has informed the driving force behind KNM and all other activities on the property and it is what keeps her going week by week. She notes there is a special energy present there that has promoted bursts of creativity and passion in different types of work for her family- whether writing, running businesses, creating art or just brainstorming. Being within the margins of 8 Hillcrest causes a domino effect of imagination, innovation and inspiration for all those who pass through and choose to receive the vibrations that are ever-present.
Dr. Lewin’s spirit and the spirit of those who once gave their energies to the space were music and art-loving ones. This makes 8 Hillcrest Avenue and in turn, KNM a one-of-a-kind, sacred experience, celebrating a history and uniqueness that no other market of its kind on the island can claim.
Not only have these spirits lifted the hearts of the organisers, but one can anticipate this vibration to influence the artisans and visitors positively as well. The organisers want everyone to know that they are “walking on holy ground”. The experience of KNM cannot be separated from the cultural and spiritual significance that its grounds represent.
So the question is, what would Dr Lewin say to the organisers of KNM today? “She would tell us, ‘practise ‘til you can’t get it wrong,” Hyacinth delighted, “That was her whole thing, keep doing it until you can’t get it wrong- in music, in life. So I am practising this market every week until I can’t get it wrong.” A lesson we can all learn from.
“She would tell us, ‘practise ‘til you can’t get it wrong,”
