Thanks to the Journal of Festival Culture Inquiry and Analysis (JFCIA) for publishing Shaun Rambaran and Catherine Sforza’s biography of Glenn ‘Dragon’ de Souza.
Please read an except below and visit JFCIA to download the full article in PDF format.
Preface
‘He bring out the talent that we didn’t know we have.’
Four decades. Four decades of pride and power, shifts and swings have defined the storied history of The Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture and its fearsome leader Glenn ‘Dragon’ de Souza. Drama, drumming, dance—but also sanctuary for youths facing troubles and challenges beyond their years—are the group’s origins, though today most know Keylemanjahro for Moko Jumbie.
The loss of Dragon on 17 March 2025—six months after being awarded the Hummingbird Medal Gold (Culture)—jolted the Mas community of Trinbago. Reflections on his life continue to today.
His and Keylemanjahro’s full story—with its very important nuance—cannot fit within a single article. Here’s only one perspective, in the words of two who saw a crucial time: On 23 August 2025, the authors sit with Keston ‘The Voice’ Derrick and Vivian Williams to chat and reminisce.
With special mention of Dragon’s daughter Adanna de Souza, we’re deeply grateful to all who opened up and generously shared their time in interviews held throughout this year, helping us better understand the depth this story and its sometimes-dark themes. We wish to honour that full story in future when opportunity allows.
Please click to read the full article, ‘Keylemanjahro and Dragon: Two Drummers Speak on Two Cultural Forces’, page 318 on the fourth volume of the Journal of Festival Culture Inquiry and Analysis.