I Am the Corn Islands

I am the land

where the Caribbean Sea kisses the shore,

and the golden sun touches every corner.

Where every meal, every baked good,

every dance and every song

carry the resilient story of our ancestors.

I am a land built on the wisdom of our elders,

and shaped by the dreams of new generations.

A place where faith and sport

gather the whole community as one.

I am a land of turquoise and deep waters,

fertile soil and green trees,

all reflecting the vibrant spirit of my people.

I am the Corn Islands—

land of Caribbean Nicaragua.

Shayron Tower, 26 January 2026

With a New Year comes renewed purposes, hopes, and dreams. As we begin 2026, I wish nothing but the best for everyone, especially those who are struggling, alone, or feeling lost.

In the stillness of time we feel at this point of the year, before reality kicks back in for many after these days of pause, I hope you can look back with gratitude at all that you’ve done and learned over the last 12 months—and, in fact, years.

Perhaps things have been a bit difficult lately. You may be grieving, you may have lost someone, or you may be anxiously waiting for important news, or for recovery from whatever is bothering you. It is at times like these that we must remember that hope is not only a noun, but also a verb—one that pushes us forward, keeps us moving, and helps us believe in ourselves and in our surroundings.

For this year, may you find peace within yourself and clarity in the truth. May you get that job, promotion, or scholarship, be accepted into the major you so deeply desire, or finally start the project you have in mind. May you find love, or free yourself from toxic patterns. May you or your loved ones overcome sickness or financial difficulties. May you find yourself, and have the courage to keep moving forward and to feel at home within yourself.

Be kind, be hopeful, and be there for others. In a world marked by selfishness and hatred, these things make a difference—not just for others, but for ourselves as well.

Whatever you may believe in, wherever you may be from, whatever your ethnicity may be, whoever you may love, or whatever your ideologies may be, remember this: we are all one. The things that make us different should be reasons to unite us and to strengthen our shared humanity.

Wishing you a happy New Year.

There were times this year when I looked back at 2015, not because of similar events, but because I realised how many years had passed. It made me reflect on the many things that have happened over the last decade, not only on a personal level, but also around the world.

Ten years ago, the world was quite different. Life seemed a bit simpler in some ways, and many of us were a different version of ourselves than we are now.

Back then, many who are no longer with us were still around, blessing us with their presence, their smiles, and years of accumulated knowledge and wisdom. At the time, some people and moments felt eternal, but looking back now, I realise that as endless as time may feel, it is not.

The past is a reminder of what was and what became of it—of who we were, how we arrived here, and why. Without the past, there is no way of being who we are today. Our experiences, as sweet or bitter as they may be, are where we all come from. They are part of us. They are what shaped us and the world we live in.

As time goes by, we should remember to embrace the present—every moment and every experience—and to love and be kind. In this evolving and complex world we live in, these things truly make a difference.

I hope that during this 2025 you were able to look back at your old self and smile at how far you have come, and that you remembered the lessons and the people who helped you or were part of the process.

For the coming year, I wish you and yours continued growth and good health, and that you continue to find joy in the people and the simple things around you.

Happy holidays!

A few weeks ago, I was invited to speak on Dis a Fi Mi History, a Jamaican- and Canadian-based podcast that explores the heritage and history of the greater Caribbean, its communities, and its diaspora.

During the episode, I shared the story behind the creation of the Corn Islands Virtual Library, a project born out of my commitment to cultural conservation and the preservation of community memory. I also reflected on my personal experiences working in heritage and cultural preservation, and on the importance of creating accessible digital spaces where history, identity, and lived experiences can be safeguarded and shared.

The conversation explored the resilient history of the Creole community and Indigenous peoples of the Corn Islands, highlighting how culture, identity, and tradition have been sustained across generations despite ongoing challenges. We discussed the role of storytelling, oral history, and digital archives in ensuring that Caribbean heritage remains visible, respected, and passed on to future generations.

I am grateful for the invitation and for the opportunity to speak not only about my work, but also about my identity and the broader responsibility we share in preserving our collective heritage. Platforms like Dis a Fi Mi History are essential spaces for amplifying Caribbean voices and fostering meaningful dialogue within the region and across the diaspora.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/24JrmlFENpCyLandxIDIws?si=98528c0616734dbc

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ni/podcast/saving-corn-island-reviving-caribbean-heritage-through/id1575454501?i=1000742161725&l=en-GB

YouTube: https://youtu.be/_oa7OOxX-34?si=uqTJGmlGMbAQCnJ-

Podbean: https://disafimihisthttporypodcast.podbean.com/e/saving-corn-island-the-virtual-library-reviving-a-caribbean-legacy/?token=2d0a092cf4981e6159c0d6401693d9ec

In alphabetical order, my favourite and most listened to songs of 2025. Some oldies and others recently discovered.

1. 12 to 12 - Sombr
2. 2022 – Anne-Marie
3. 5 Years Time – Noah and The Whale
4. Bloodline – Alex Warren, Jelly Roll
5. Blote Voeten – MAKSIM
6. DAISIES – Justin Bieber
7. Dance With Me – Tones and I
8. Die Young – Kesha
9. DtMF – Bad Bunny
10. Empty Bench – David Kushner
11. End of the World – Miley Cyrus
12. Favorite T-shirt – Jake Scott
13. Follow (I will never let you go) – Zimmer90
14. Following the Sun – SUPER-HI, NEEKA
15. Glide – NEIKED, Portugal. The Man
16. Goal – Myles Smith
17. Good Feelings – Coldplay, Ayra Starr
18. Heart of Gold – Shawn Mendes
19. Heaven Without You – Alex Warren
20. Heaven – Hozier
21. I Always Wanted a Brother – Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu (…)
22. I Can Die Now – Ruel
23. Love Me to Heaven – Jonas Brothers
24. Makes me Wanna Dance – Zimmer90
25. Man I Need – Olivia Dean
26. May I Have This Dance – Francis and the Lights
27. My Soul – BOY LOCO
28. Mystical Magical – Benson Boone
29. Punkrocker (feat. Iggy Pop) – Teddybears, Iggy Pop
30. Show Me Love – WizTheMc, bees & honey
31. Starry Eyed – Good Neighbours
32. Summer Rain – Zimmer90
33. The Hardest Part – Olivia Dean
34. These Words – Natasha Bedingfield
35. Time After Time – Sam Smith
36. Vacation Eyes – Jonas Brothers 
37. Viajando Por El Mundo – KAROL G, Manu Chao
38. Walking in the Wind – One Direction
39. When I Die – Kyle Hume
40. Without You – Avicii

We often underestimate the impact that mental health has on our lives and on the lives of those around us. Sometimes, inherited patterns, transgenerational experiences, certain environments, habits, or even people can negatively affect our mental wellbeing. 

Everyone out there is going through something, whether we know it or not. Let’s be kind to others; we never truly know their struggles. Let’s support them when we can, but above all, let’s also prioritise our own mental wellbeing: say no when we need to, walk away if it brings us peace, and bravely seek help when we need it. 

In a complex world, our minds will always be challenged. But that does not mean we are weak, it simply means we are human, and we all need support from time to time. 

On this World Mental Health Day, let us remember the importance of caring for ourselves and our mental wellbeing, for this is the first step towards being there for others too. 

Let’s take care of ourselves — and one another.

As I learned of the death of Ms Georgina Brack, affectionately known as Miss Betsy, I reflected on the calm, optimistic, and charismatic person she was.

Miss Betsy was one of those people whom life turns into family through bonds. As a child, I remember visiting her and my great-granduncle at Jokeman Bank on Little Corn Island. She would always welcome you with a smile and offer ginger beer or sorrel drink, corn or cassava cake, or whatever she had in the kitchen at the time.

During my teenage years, when hosting programmes at La Isleña radio station, she became one of my faithful listeners. Whenever I saw her, she would say, “I heard you on the air. I always listen to your programme. I’m a faithful listener….” Even in recent years, as part of the archiving work for The Corn Islands Virtual Library, I had the opportunity to sit down with her twice to discuss the history of Little Corn Island and its people, where she generously shared her ancestral knowledge.

Just a few months ago, I had the chance to visit her. During our conversation, I asked her how, despite her age, she still looked so young and strong. She smiled and replied, “Though the knee is a bit weak, I am still going hard. The key is to eat good, not worry about what doesn’t concern you, and live one day at a time.”

Her words always came with a smile, and she always had some conversation to share while sitting, making doormats, or gazing out at the Caribbean Sea, which she called the best view.

For many of us, she was family and someone we had known since a very early age. I truly cherish the conversations and the advice I always received from her.

My condolences to the Sjogreen Brack family on the loss of their beloved mother and grandmother.

Rest in peace, Miss Betsy.

Great Corn Island and Little Corn Island, the day is here once again, when we remember and celebrate the freedom of our ancestors.

The history of our islands is built upon the strength and resilience of those who have roamed these soils for centuries, like the Kukra people, the first to walk the shores of these lands and harvest its grounds up until the mid-1600s. These people were later scattered, caught, and enslaved by the first set of Europeans who visited, some perishing while others merged with the enslaved Africans that were brought over later on from the other side of the Atlantic.

With the arrival of the first British settlers between the late 1600s and early 1700s, Quinn Hill and the southwest area of Great Corn Island became the home of the first foreign families that inhabited the islands, as it was a strategic point, not only for the height of the hill that allowed arriving or passing vessels to be spotted easily, but the shores of Southwest Bay also served as a natural port, where many would anchor when coming from nearby or foreign lands.

These families migrated to the islands to exploit its grounds, and for that reason, they brought over enslaved people from Africa, who would work tirelessly and in inhumane conditions, either at households or on the plantation grounds, where cotton and sugar cane were harvested and later exported to the Greater Caribbean and England. Many of the enslaved people rebelled and tried to escape the life that was forced upon them; some were killed, others were sent away, and the majority were forced to continue working under rain and sun with chains tied to their feet.

However, fate gave a twist and the destiny of these people changed one day. It was on 27 August 1841, that the news of freedom reached our land. Colonel Alexander McDonald, Superintendent of the English Crown in British Honduras, arrived early in the morning on a war vessel at Southwest Bay. He summoned all enslaved people and asked them to call those who were considered their owners at that time, and he proclaimed the Emancipation Act, which, among other things, according to the original document, said:

“…be it enacted, that all enslaved persons on the Corn Islands shall, from this day forward, be free and forever released from slavery.”

McDonald said these words and proclaimed it in the name of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Robert Charles Frederick, King of the Mosquito Coast.

This moment represented a key point in our islands’ history, as there would be no more suffering and chains, for slavery was no more. For that reason, the newly freed women and men decided to celebrate that day with supper; they went to the swamps to catch land crabs and to the fields where they had worked for many years to gather breadkinds and herbs to prepare a crab soup. That night, they ate, sang, and danced to the sound of traditional rhythms, celebrating their freedom.

But the tradition of celebrating emancipation began years later, when Reverend Edward Kelly, from Belize, founded the Ebenezer Baptist Church and School in 1852. Kelly, the son of former enslaved people, reminded the locals of the importance of remembering their parents’ and grandparents’ freedom, and together with the residents, introduced the Emancipation Day celebration in North End, at Bernard Bank, under a big fig tree.

The celebration at first was a Thanksgiving service, where poems, songs, traditional food, and games took place with young and old joining in. But over the decades, especially after 1980, it expanded and became a local holiday as we know it today, with the government promoting and assuming its organisation along with the neighbourhoods.

As we review our historical passages, it is important to acknowledge these two questions: what does celebrating this day truly signify for us as islanders, and primarily for the Creole people? And what does emancipation mean?

This day is more than floats or “carrozas”, as we call them, it is more than the carnival, or even more than the election that takes place. Celebrating this day, our Emancipation Day, is a remembrance of the struggles of our ancestors; we remember those who perished fighting for their freedom and we celebrate the legacy that has been handed down to us by our grandparents. We celebrate the rich culture that we have, evident not only through our features, but also through our food, language, and beliefs.

On this day, we do not celebrate crabs, as delicious as the soup may be; we celebrate our identity, we celebrate who we are. And for that reason, we must all remember that our responsibility is to conserve our culture not only on special occasions, but to let our culture be part of our daily life, and share it with others – with our family, neighbours, and friends – so we can all embrace and enjoy our roots for them to live on.

Emancipation means being proud of who we are and where we come from. It is not celebrating chains, but celebrating authenticity. It is to embrace who we are, the things that make us different, that make us unique, and proud, while still being part of a greater nation like ours. That and much more is emancipation, and we must keep it, we must celebrate it, we must conserve it, we must never let it die, no matter how near or far we are from home. 

As we reconnect with our history and shared heritage, let us also remember those who dedicated their lives to conserving it – our grandparents, our great-grandparents, or remarkable people who sadly are no longer with us, like Mrs Lestel Downs and others, or those who still live today and whose ancestral knowledge we should embrace.

So, my brothers and sisters, islanders, let us not forget who we are, and why we celebrate this day. Let us continue being proud of who we are and continue living day by day our identity.

Happy Emancipation Day to all!

Not many people have the privilege of having their great-grandparents around them, but I was lucky enough to be one of those few.

My great-grandmother, or Granny Maggie as all of us used to call her, was a hardworking woman, independent and faithful. From making nacatamals, selling bolis, doormats made out of recycled cloth, guava jelly, and much more, she knew how to do things on her own, rarely ever asking much from others.

She always believed that God would provide for her every day, and as she cut coconuts in the afternoon to later feed her chickens, she would hum the gospel medleys she listened to on the radio—her way of connecting with her Creator.

With her blue eyes, sitting in solitude, she would look out to the horizon of the Caribbean from her native Sandfly Bay, monologuing or healing whoever passed by, yelling, “Granny.”

I will forever cherish the conversations I had with her in her kitchen or living room, ever since I was a kid, where she would recall with pleasure some of her experiences from her youth, share a spooky tale that crossed her mind, or tell me the latest news I wasn’t aware of.

Her guava jelly never failed whenever I visited her before leaving the island. She would always put it in a black bag and tell me to take it for the end of the trip, to eat with bread.

With the little she had, she tried to share with others, even if it was a plate of rundown, fried fish or a boli. She was happy and valued those who were always around. For me, she was an example of the joy and pleasure a simple and independent life brings.

As she now rests and has travelled to where she always called “Up there, Home,” I honour her life and am thankful for having her around throughout my childhood and young adult life.

She will surely be deeply missed by those who loved and cared for her. 

Rest in peace, Granny!

Another year to continue growing and harvesting achievements. Another year to learn and embrace the gift of life.

I am grateful for all of life’s blessings, and for the extraordinary people and experiences that have shaped who I am today.

As I continue on my path, I look forward to all that lies ahead, as every experience—whether bitter or sweet—is what leads us to where we are meant to be.

Cheers to all that is to come!

Even the strongest tree falls after resisting many years of storms and windy days, but this is sometimes necessary for seeds to grow in its place, to bear stronger roots and a stronger trunk.

So is the journey of us humans. We rise, and when at the peak, we sometimes feel like we are falling. Whenever we do, it may seem like the end. However, there is a chance to grow in every situation we face, as joyful or painful as it may be.

Just like a tree, the key is to be rooted in fertile soil and surrounded by others who shelter and uplift us, like roots intertwined beneath the ground, until our branches have reached the sky and dense foliage once more.

As the season comes and goes, so do the leaves, flakes, and petals of them all, each with the promise of something much more beautiful. In the end, that is time’s way of shaping us all. As one with this earth, we each experience different sunsets and twilight, just to become something much greater.

As we celebrate Winter Graduation, I warmly congratulate the postgraduate Class of 2023/2024 from the School of Global Studies of the University of Sussex.

This academic year has been an extraordinary journey of learning, enriched by the diversity and cultural vibrancy of Sussex, which has broadened our perspectives on the world.

It has been a privilege to represent the International Relations class and department as a Student Rep and to contribute to the Global Studies Student Experience Group (SSEG). Working to ensure students’ voices were heard and their needs addressed has been deeply rewarding.

Wishing everyone a future filled with growth and success. 

Shayron Tower 

IR Student Rep 

Class of 2023/2024

Happy New Year to everyone! May 2025 bring you renewed strength and steadfast determination to pursue your goals and fulfil your most heartfelt aspirations.

My favourite songs of 2024. 

1. Almost (Sweet Music) – Hozier
2. Arcade – Duncan Laurence
3. Be Kind – Zak Abel
4. Catch 22 – Alli, Anne-Marie
5. Clouds – JVKE
6. Cloudy Day – Tones and I
7. Esta Vida – Marshmello ft. Farruko
8. Fairytale – Livingston
9. Kleur – Snelle
10. La Vida la Vida – Joséan Log
11. Lullaby – Rilan
12. Mi Amor – Sam Feldt, JVKE, Annits
13. Mona Lisa – Dominic Fike
14. Praise Jah in the Moonlight – YG Markey
15. Pretty Slowly – Benson Boone
16. Too Sweet – Hozier
17. What Love Is – Zimmer90
18. What Would I Change It To – Avicii
19. Whisper – Myles Smith
20. Why Why Why – Shawn Mendes

A few days ago, I was reading the holiday messages I’ve written over the past eight years, and it made me realise how far I’ve come, how much I’ve grown, and how much the world has changed around me.

2024 is no exception. It has felt like a novel—a year full of emotions, with its highs and lows. A year of memorable moments, special people, and meaningful achievements, but also of tough lessons. Through it all, the sunny days have taught me to cherish the present, and the cloudy ones have helped me find strength in the good within and around me.

This year, as with the good moments, there were people who made the tough days easier and the good days even better. I’m grateful to those who have reminded me how lucky I am for my life and for the people—like them—who are part of it.

There’s so much I will carry with me and be thankful for in 2024 because every experience, whether sweet or bitter, shapes us. And as we grow, we eventually find our way to where we need to be.

As the year draws to a close and a new one begins, I wish everyone happiness within themselves and in the simplicity of life. May you find your path and discover peace in your surroundings.

Happy holidays to everyone!

A hardworking, persistent, independent woman of faith – these are just some of the many words that describe who my late grandmother was.

Her life was a testament to how hard work and dedication can take you where you need to be.

She always had something to share – whether it was a story from her past, a tale from a novel or history book she had read, or a verse from the Bible – and each one always carried a lesson to be learned.

We were fortunate to have had her in our lives. She was always there for anyone who needed her and kept us all close, from childhood to adulthood.

Thank you, grann', for scolding us when necessary, for being our home dentist, seamstress, and counsellor, and for looking after us as we grew up.

You will forever be remembered by those of us who cherished your company and loved you dearly.

Fly high – you are now with the love of your life.

Rest in peace, grandma!

I am happy to share that I have officially completed my postgraduate studies and can now proudly say that I hold a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex.

Gratitude is what I feel right now. I am thankful to our Creator and to everyone who accompanied me throughout this journey—those near and far—encouraging me to give my all and reminding me of the potential I have within.

This achievement represents many years of hard work and selfless service, which have provided me with the tools, consciousness and motivation to continue striving to make a difference and to keep growing as a person.

This experience not only brought me the fruit of knowledge but also offered valuable lessons that contributed to my personal and professional growth, as well as moments and people I am forever grateful to have encountered and shared with.

I dedicate this accomplishment to those who have always been present, providing me with the drive and support I needed throughout this year, as well as to the people who have stood by my side through various stages of my life.

The best is yet to come!

Shayron Tower, MA 

Happy International Friendship Day to those near and far! Today, we remember the importance of building communities—regardless of different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and worldviews—and standing united for what makes our surroundings a better place.

Growing up and to this day, people from my home country and abroad often ask me, “Was that Miskito you were speaking? Sometimes I hear you speaking English, and other times a strange kind of English. What language is it? Is it true that people from the Caribbean of Nicaragua don’t know how to speak English?” 

To clarify, I have decided to respond to these and related questions with some historical facts and insights from my research and personal experience.

Not all Nicaraguans from the Caribbean speak Miskito, Creole English, and Standard English, but these languages are widely spoken depending on where you are.

Generally, in black or Afro-descendant and European-descendant communities, most people speak Creole or Creole English (also called Caribbean English) due to the influence of the British, who settled in the Nicaraguan Caribbean between the 17th and 19th centuries. Creole has a lot of influence from Standard English (both American and British versions), but its phonetics and grammatical structure are very different due to the mixture of words from other languages spoken by Western Africans when they were brought as slaves to Central America.

Creole emerged out of the necessity for enslaved people to communicate with each other because they were brought from different regions of Africa and did not speak the same language. They combined words from their own languages—and over time, more from English, which was their masters’ language—creating a pidgin language (a combination of languages). Then, their descendants were born speaking Creole, as it was the native language created by their parents.

Creole has been structurally forming as an independent language since the 1990s in Nicaragua, and efforts have been made to teach it in schools in Afro communities. However, the number of public early childhood education institutions that teach it is limited, although it is taught at the University of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua and the Normal School in Bluefields, depending on the student's career or field of study.

Standard English has existed on the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast since the arrival of the British, being the first language in which locals were literate if they had the privilege of attending school. This language remained official in the Caribbean, along with Miskito, until 1894, when the Mosquito Coast (today’s Caribbean Coast) was annexed to the Republic of Nicaragua by the government of José Santos Zelaya.

Currently, many black and European-descendant communities still use English as a language for reading and sermons in churches, especially traditional ones like the Moravian, Episcopal, Anglican, and Baptist. Moreover, in formal matters, Caribbean governments, educational centres, and universities also use Standard English, apart from the country’s official language, Spanish.

The same goes for academic training in Creole communities. Most children are initially educated in Standard English, especially those who have studied in subsidised or private schools (mostly religious), and are later introduced to Spanish as a second language. Although students usually interact at home, in their neighbourhood, or with friends in non-standardised English—in this case, Creole—they learn and know how to read and write in Standard English, although they do not speak it regularly due to cultural reasons.

State educational centres also teach Standard English as a subject, prioritising Spanish. However, classes are explained in English or Creole for better understanding by the students.

Many academic centres teach in Spanish but strive to ensure that students learn English properly. There isn’t an educational centre in the Caribbean that solely educates in English (I know of only one). There will always be a combination of English, Creole, or another indigenous language, provided that language is predominant in the area.

There is a division regarding whether Creoles speak Creole or English. Personally, I believe that the answer depends on individual learning and oral expression. However, most black people speak Creole daily, even though they know how to speak, read, and write in English due to their education; it is a cultural matter.

In the case of Miskito, it is the most spoken indigenous language in Nicaragua, and the Miskito people have been able to preserve it due to their resilience and the role they played in the history of the Caribbean Coast. This language is widely spoken throughout the Nicaraguan Caribbean, but there are communities and towns where it is more dominant due to the large Miskito population living there. Other indigenous groups also speak Miskito because of its influence.

Most Nicaraguans from the Caribbean can speak Spanish because it is the country's official language and they are educated in it. Others can speak English alongside Spanish or Miskito because their education was bilingual, while some have even had trilingual schooling.

It is important to remember that the Nicaraguan Caribbean has various languages and ethnic groups, and the Political Constitution (Article 11), the Autonomy Law (Law 28), the General Education Law of Nicaragua (Law 582), and the National Language Law (Law 162) all recognise the multi-ethnic and multilingual nature of the Caribbean.

So, depending on which person from the Caribbean Coast you interact with, they may speak two or more languages because that is our nature as Caribbean Nicaraguans. Most of us are bilingual or polyglots.

In my case, I learned to read and write in English when I started preschool. Spanish was added later in primary school, and I have heard and spoken Creole since I can remember. I am not ashamed to speak it, but, like any other language, I know when to use it.

I am happy to share that I was recently awarded the Josie Jolley Student Award.

I am honoured to have been chosen for this prize, which celebrates students who have made significant contributions to the School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex.

I am grateful to those who nominated me and to the selection panel for recognising the selfless work I have done around the school throughout the year in the areas of communications, organising academic and social events, advocating for students, increasing the visibility of Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples and cultures, and promoting Latin America and the Caribbean.