About The Jamaican Storytellers Collection
Preserving Jamaica’s history, culture and heritage through the timeless power of storytelling.
The Story Behind the Collection
The Jamaican Storytellers Collection was born from a simple but powerful belief: Jamaica’s stories must not be lost.
For generations our history, wisdom, humor, struggles, food, music, faith, language and way of life have been carried in the memories of our people. They were passed down on verandas, in country kitchens, around shop counters, at school gates, in churchyards, at dances, in markets and wherever Jamaicans gathered to reason, laugh, mourn and remember.
But too many of those stories were never written down. Too many voices faded before their memories could be preserved. Too many young people know fragments of Jamaica’s culture without fully understanding the journey that produced it.
The Jamaican Storytellers Collection was created to help change that.
Through culturally rich books and storytelling, the Collection seeks to preserve the lived experience of Jamaicans at home and across the diaspora. It is not only about entertainment. It is about memory. It is about identity. It is about honoring the people who came before us and giving future generations a way to know where they came from.
Why This Collection Matters
Jamaica is more than a place. It is a rhythm, a memory, a struggle, a laughter, a language, a kitchen, a song, a faith and a people whose influence has reached far beyond the size of the island.
The Jamaican Storytellers Collection exists because our stories deserve to be preserved with dignity, beauty and truth. Each book captures a different part of the Jamaican experience, from country life and food traditions to music, education, culture, faith and the lives of ordinary people whose stories helped shape the nation.
This Collection is a bridge between generations. It allows elders to see their memories honored and gives younger readers a deeper understanding of the culture they have inherited.
Meet The Authors
The Jamaican Storytellers Collection is the work of husband-and-wife authors Lorrimer and Joyett Burford, whose shared commitment to preserving Jamaica’s history, culture and traditions through storytelling inspired the creation of the Collection.
Lorrimer "Lorry" Burford
Lorrimer “Lorry” Burford is a Jamaican-born author, storyteller, marketing professional and educator whose lifelong dream has been to preserve Jamaica’s culture through literature. An avid reader from childhood, he began writing short stories at an early age and later authored books on horse racing before turning his attention to cultural storytelling.
Today he is the creator of The Jamaican Storyteller’s Collection, a growing series of books dedicated to preserving Jamaica’s history, traditions, foodways, music and lived experiences for future generations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a Diploma in Marketing, an MBA, and has served as an adjunct professor of mathematics. His work combines research, storytelling and cultural preservation into a lasting literary record of Jamaican life.
Joyett "Joye" Burford
Joyett “Joye” Burford is an author, educator and certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach whose work bridges health, culture and storytelling. After a successful career in healthcare administration, she became passionate about plant-based living and helping others improve their health through nutrition.
She is the creator of the Plant-Based Wellness Experience and co-author of A Jamaican Plant-based Storyteller’s Tale, where traditional Jamaican food, family history and storytelling come together. Joye holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and certifications in Vegan Nutrition Health Coaching and Healthy Eating Planning. Her contributions bring warmth, authenticity and cultural depth to the Collection’s mission of preserving Jamaican heritage.
The Books in the Collection
The Jamaican Storytellers Collection brings together a growing body of books that preserve Jamaica’s history, culture, food, music, faith, education, identity and lived experience through storytelling. Each book stands on its own but together they form a cultural archive for Jamaica, the diaspora and future generations.
A Jamaican Storyteller’s Tale
The book that began the Storyteller's journey, A Jamaican Storyteller’s Tale captures the humor, mystery, wisdom, hardship, love, folklore and country life of Jamaica. Through culturally rich storytelling, it preserves the voices, memories and lived experiences of a people whose stories deserve to be remembered.
A Jamaican Plant-Based Storyteller’s Tale
A joyful blend of storytelling, culture, memory and food. This book celebrates Jamaica’s plant-based traditions while reimagining beloved dishes through stories, recipes and reflections. It honors the kitchen as a place of nourishment, survival, creativity and cultural memory.
A Jamaican Music Storyteller’s Tale
An upcoming novel that explores the development of Jamaican music from mento to dancehall through story, memory, struggle and cultural truth. It honors the musicians, producers, selectors, singers, studios, sound systems and communities that helped carry Jamaica’s music to the world.
Future Books in the Collection
The Collection will continue to grow with stories exploring Jamaican culture, education, Rastafari, food, music, faith, history and the lives of ordinary people whose experiences helped shape the nation. Together, these books form a living archive of Jamaican identity.
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A Reflection from the Storyteller
Every story preserves a piece of our past.
Every generation deserves to know where it came from.
Our heritage lives not only in history books but in the stories we tell.
May these stories keep Jamaica’s spirit alive for generations to come.
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