When Linton Hinds Jr. came up with the concept for his second documentary, he wanted it to reflect his lifestyle as an herbalist, a lifestyle strongly inspired by the natural drinks he saw his father consume as a boy.
That documentary, Roots Tonic: Jamaica’s Cure All Drink, was released April 24 on I Never Knew TV, a YouTube channel he operates in his native New Jersey.
With interviews conducted in New Jersey and Jamaica by Jamaican cinematographer Ryan Hohn, ‘Roots Tonic’ is a 16-minute look at drinks derived from stalks and herbs. These drinks have been used by Jamaicans since the days of slavery; many people insist they cure ailments, from diabetes to hypertension and erectile dysfunction.
“My mission is to preserve the culture and educate the masses about our culture. Any exposure this project receives adds to the fulfillment of the mission,” said Hinds.
To reinforce the effectiveness of roots tonics, the documentary features exponents like Dr. Sylvia Mitchell, a senior lecturer in the Biotechnology Centre at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica; Ras Stimulant and Trevor Farqhuarson, who produce their line of roots tonics in rural Jamaica; and Gregory Rutty, proprietor of Sunsplash Caribbean Bakery in Orange, New Jersey.
Each give examples of the potency of roots and plants such as the Chaney Root, sarsaparilla and Medina which they say have been used by Jamaicans, mainly in rural areas, for generations.
Hinds’ father is from St. Ann, Jamaica’s largest parish, where Pan African giant Marcus Garvey and reggae king Bob Marley were also born. As a youth visiting Jamaica, he saw his father regularly buy roots tonics.
Initially, they were not to his liking, but eventually won him over.
“I practice a plant-based lifestyle; no alcohol, no smoking. Actually, I gave up meat after listening to an interview by (Jamaican poet/activist) Mutabaruka. Roots are a staple in the house. I make a roots using sour sop, Chaney root, strong back, guinea hen weed, bissy, ginger, cinnamon, honey and clove,” he explained.
Linton Hinds Jr, who teaches American history at Thomas Mastery High School in Philadelphia, started I Never Knew TV in 2017. The channel’s main focus are interviews with Jamaican roots-reggae artists and features on Rastafari.
His first documentary was Chanting Rastafari which looks at the Ugandan roots of Nyahbinghi.
You must log in to post a comment.