The first thing we've got to tell you about our next story is that it's not suitable for children or sensitive viewers, so if you fall into one of those groups, you might want to switch the channel. But while it may be visually explicit, it is an important story because it documents a phenomenon that's going from the margins to the mainstream, back streets to Albert Street. It's called Passa Passa and its finds a hyper-sexed "Generation Next" going on a way in public. Keith Swift has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Remember these kids?......well they have come of age. They are the generation that grew up doing Byron Lee's butterfly as a public display of precociousness. And as young adults - they are at the forefront of a hyper sexed culture.
[Dancing in Street]
This is video footage shot on Independence Day in downtown Belize City, Albert Street. The girl in the video is 19-year-old Christy Hope. This is the first time she is seeing the video.
Christy Hope,
"My God I was niced up there...I didn't know I could dance so."
And though she is somewhat stunned, Christy isn't surprised.
Christy Hope,
"I was just enjoying myself because I don't know if I will live to see
September again. I was just enjoying myself. What happened just happened."
But what happened was more than just Christy dutty wining in the streets. She is just one example of the new culture of exhibitionism and public "sleckness" that's gaining increased popularity in Belize's youth culture. It is part of a phenomenon called 'Passa Passa' which has taken over the streets in Jamaica. In this culture, wilder is better and an audience and a camera are catalysts for public debauchery. Add a few glasses of Campari and that made the perfect mix that coalesced on the 21st of September on Albert Street. She had music, liquor, and an audience. For Christy it doesn't get any better.
Keith Swift,
Did it fool good?
Christy Hope,
"Because it was in front of everyone and when they would meet me on the street, they would ask me how it feels to be dancing out there. It doesn't feel anyway. I am just enjoying myself."
Keith Swift,
Does it make you feel like you've achieved something?
Christy Hope,
"Yes I felt like I have achieved something, like my goal...because I am dancing; not everyone can do it like me. To me I enjoyed dancing in front of everyone. I like to dance in front of everybody. I don't care who it is. I am just enjoying myself."
Keith Swift,
Does any of this embarrass you?
Christy Hope,
"Actually no...it is me. I don't care."
It is a phenomenon with few limitations and little or no discretion. Deejay and radio personality Orson Picart probably has the best vantage point on 'generation passa passa.' He was out there on the 21st but what you are seeing is really nothing new to him. In fact - Orson lays the soundtracks that fuel the phenomenon.
Orson Picart, Deejay
"Dancing in the streets to enjoy yourself, I feel it is nothing strange to Belize."
Keith Swift,
Any of this shock you?
Orson Picart,
"No you know, actually l was expecting it but I wasn't expecting it
that early. I was kind of figuring probably in the next two years people would start to get back in that same vibes. It started out a little early and I kind of like it because the females get to enjoy themselves and not care what people care about them."
And while Orson spins the tracks - Michael Hutchinson and Nigel Freeman record video. Hutchinson works behind the camera.
Michael Hutchinson,
"Once they have some type of sound system at any event, I just take the camera because sometimes you could get lucky. It is a regular thing I do. I always take the camera because there is always something out there to see. When Belizeans go out, Belizeans know to have fun. Belizeans decide to just party."
Nigel Freeman,
"The Belizean audience loves to watch themselves performing. I don't if it is an original by nature or if it is picked up from the love of the dancehall style of entertainment or what and I realized that it was going to get big and that is why I took the initiative to start going out with my cameras and covered events and it has caught on."
It will catch on, and Orson Picart who rides the leading edge of this upsurge says that we haven't seen nothing yet.
Orson Picart,
"People want to see something different every time. They are tired of seeing the same deejay, hearing the same music, and so they need a different form of entertainment and this is something where people who want to do it, watch and say, 'one of these days when I get braver.'"
Keith Swift,
So Passa Passa is in Belize?
Orson Picart,
"Yes, it is back again. It is back again. It didn't go anywhere but it is back again."
Back again and probably here to stay as long as there is that combustible mix of music, cameras, a sexually permissive culture and the lust for celebrity - on any terms
Christy Pope doesn't have kids but she said if and when she does, she wouldn't approve of them dancing like she did or even watching it. And while we came upon a tape of one Passa Passa spree, observers of the trend say Passa Passa street parties are becoming increasingly popular.
