Black History Month
Even though it is celebrated mostly in the United States and Canada, Nevis West Indies recognizes the month of February as Black History month as well.
This month is all about celebrating amazing African Americans that have influenced society in very positive ways. A man by the name of Hanzel Fitzroy Manners has had a major influence in Nevis Culture. “I think it is correct to say that I am several things. The author/poet thing is really just peripheral,” he said.
Hanzel is credited with writing the words of the Charlestown Secondary School Song, Industria et Virtute as well as the words and music to the folk song, Nevis Lovely Nevis. He also wrote the book “Bamboo Shay: A Collection of Short Stories of Nevis,” among other works.
SKNvibes provides his background:
Hanzel Fitzroy Manners was born in Hull Ground, Gingerland, Nevis in 1944. He received his early education at the Gingerland Boys’ School, the Gingerland Senior School, the Charlestown Secondary School and, since there were no sixth form schools in Nevis, the St. Kitts-Nevis Grammar School.
Hanzel said: “There weren’t many teaching positions around. Nevis didn’t have its own constitution at that time. It was one education system so you could be placed anywhere. I wasn’t happy because I wanted to be back in Nevis, but I enjoyed it.”
“It appeared to me that a degree in Economics and History would not take me where I thought I wanted to be, so I started looking around for something else to study.”
“The real reason however was, unknown to other people, I was well into my studies towards being a chartered accountant and had decided it was time to break.”
He spent five years at the firm in St. Kitts and it was during that time he journeyed to England to pursue his dream.
“For me as a teacher who was not accustomed to that kind of work, it was very interesting. Going to work five weeks of day and five weeks of night, that is the other part that intrigued me.”
“I learned a lot from that and that experience will stay with me until I die,” he said.
He returned to the Federation in 1981 and qualified as a CPA in 1982.
“I think I would have made a great musician,” he said.
As a young man he helped established the Delta Youth Club in Gingerland and wrote the Charlestown Secondary School song as a 16-year-old in 1960. Nevis Lovely Nevis was produced in 1974 but Manners lists “Bamboo Shay: A Collection of Short Stories of Nevis” as his biggest contribution to the arts. He said it took a lot of effort because short stories have to be really good in order to keep the reader’s interest.
Manners also has a diploma in theology, along with his wife Annette, and is part of the prison ministry at his church. He justifies his continuous studies by saying he is someone who does not like to waste time. Thus, he has not put down his pen as yet, but plans to continue writing poetry and at least one other book.
He has been honored twice, by the Department of Culture and, last year, by the Public Library.
He has done much and it sounds he is not nearly done. In honor of a Nevis leader. 
Check out information on Black History month if interested.
Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley
