JAMAICA

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=135 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="0c3085a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Jamaica  ~ Noamie's Negril.Com </B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jamaica Noamies Negril.Com "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jamaica Noamies Negril.Com "><U><B>Jamaica  ~ Noamie's Negril.Com </B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Noamie's - Jamaican Tea Room...An Innovative Walk into Traveling & Reality </B></div> <div> <I><B>                                              Negril: The Place I'll Rather Be</B></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF66FF" FACE="Arial Narrow" ><I><B>...</B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FF66FF" FACE="Desdemona" ><B>Jamaica ~ Negril               </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF66FF" FACE="Desdemona" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CCCCE4" FACE="Eurostile" ><A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My BookWest Cliffe"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></FONT></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="0c4d2e83.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=345 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <IMG SRC="283c6320.png" border=0 width="198" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Jamaica is the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean:</B></div> <div> 600 miles south of Florida and less than two hours by plane from Miami.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="28454c80.jpg" border=0 width="340" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="2fe58010.gif" border=0 width="600" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="2fe58010.gif" border=0 width="600" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Jamaica- Our Hero called Nanny</div> <div> Jamaica: Beautiful Jamaica Filled With Cultures of People</div> <div> Donald Sangster</div> <div> Our Culture: The Germans</div> <div> Our Culture: The Jews</div> <div> Paracme's Memories</div> <div> Stories of Old Negril</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> West Cliffe- My Story </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2fe58010.gif" border=0 width="600" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="2fe58010.gif" border=0 width="600" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Jamaica is the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean: The vast majority of Jamaicans are of mixed race. <U>Groups</U> include Germans, East Indians, Chinese, Jews, and other European. Hence the national motto, "Out of Many, One People." The current population is estimated at 2.5 million.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="28555ce0.jpg" border=0 width="341" height="206" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2fe58010.gif" border=0 width="600" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="2fe58010.gif" border=0 width="600" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>The Land And The People</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Jamaica is the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean:</B></div> <div> 600 miles south of Florida and less than two hours by plane from Miami. </div> <bR> <div> It is 146 miles long, between 22 to 55 miles wide and has considerable variation in landscape from the coral sands and ironshore cliffs of the shoreline, through coastal wetlands, plains and highlands to the misty peaks of the Blue Mountains. It has a maritime tropical climate. The warm trade winds that blow by day are called "sea breeze" or "doctor breeze". The average daily temperature varies according to elevation from a high of 86F at sea level to a low of 63F in the mountains.</div> <div> The average annual rainfall ranges from 300 inches on the eastern slopes of the </div> <div> Blue Mountains to 230 inches in some parts of the south coast. During the cooler months, December to March the island sometimes experiences northerners: chill winds and high seas associated with a cold front to the North. July to September are the warmest months, May and October are traditionally the rainy months and there was a time when you could set your clock by the afternoon rain during these months. </div> <bR> <div> Currently, the increasingly erratic weather patterns are attributed by some environmentalists to deforestation and global warming. The hurricane season is demarcated by the cautionary rhyme: </div> <div> <I><B>June too soon</B></I> </div> <div> <I><B>July standby</B></I> </div> <div> <I><B>August come it must </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>September remember </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>October all over</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> The last hurricane to hit the island was  Huricane Ivan. The other was, the savage Gilbert in September 1988. Although Hurricane Ivan did not hit Jamaica directly, the passing of the Hurricane along the coast of Jamaica would come to leave  huge devistation. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    <IMG SRC="2862ae80.jpg" border=0 width="298" height="232" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="2882ce10.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="225" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>HISTORY</B> </div> <div> The original inhabitants of Jamaica are believed to be the Arawaks. </div> <div> They called it Xaymaca which meant "land of wood and water." </div> <div> The Spaniards who succeeded them wrote this phonetically, and substituted J for X. Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1492 and claimed it for Spain. </div> <div> The Spaniards were disappointed that there was no gold and did little to develop the island. A few settlers cultivated cane and raised livestock. </div> <div> In 1655 a British expedition failed to conquer Santo Domingo but took Jamaica as a consolation prize. </div> <bR> <div> When the Spaniards fled the island they freed their African slaves who took to the hills and formed the nucleus of the Maroons. </div> <bR> <div> The early British colonists lived under constant threat of attack from the Spanish, the French, and freebooting pirates, hence the island is ringed with ancient forts. </div> <div> The latter part of the seventeenth century was the age of the buccaneers. Because England was perennially at war with France or Spain and the Royal Navy could not patrol the entire Caribbean, the Crown issued Letters of Marque to ship's captains, authorizing the capture and plunder of enemy vessels. Thus the pirates became "buccaneers" and graduated to become "privateers". One former buccaneer, Henry Morgan, actually became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica in 1674.</div> <div> During the eighteenth century, British landowners made vast fortunes out of sugar and great numbers of African slaves were imported to work on the plantations. After a long campaign spearheaded by non-conformist missionaries in Jamaica and Liberal politicians in England, the slaves received their freedom towards the middle of the nineteenth century. Jamaica remained a British Colony with a governor until granted Independence in 1962. Major legacies of the British are: the parliamentary system, the judicial system, and the game of "cricket, lovely cricket."</div> <bR> <div> <B>POPULATION</B> </div> <div> The vast majority of Jamaicans are of mixed race. </div> <div> <U>Groups</U> include Germans, East Indians, Chinese, Jews, and other European. Hence the national motto, "Out of Many, One People." The current population is estimated at 2.5 million.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> In the past the population growth has been modified by emigration to North America or the U.K. Currently, due to tough economic conditions in those countries, many Jamaicans are repatriating. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Arawaks </B></div> <div> The original inhabitants of Jamaica were gentle, pleasure loving people who liked dancing and playing ball games. They believed in an afterlife and sometimes strangled a dying chief to speed him into paradise. They hunted, cultivated a few crops and fished. Their canoes were made by burning and chiselling out the trunks of silk cotton trees, a method that is still used today. Another legacy of the Arawaks is bammy, a thick pancake made from cassava and delicious fried with fish. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Maroons </B></div> <div> The name comes from the Spanish "cimmaron" meaning wild or untamed. When the British invaded the island in 1655 the Maroons of the Spanish colonists escaped into the hills and lived a wild, free life. Some of them helped their former masters in guerilla warfare against the British. One such was Juan de Bolas, whose subsequent defection to the British side hastened the final exodus of the Spaniards. </div> <div> In time the Maroons came to control large areas of the interior and would swoop down from the hills to raid the plantations and kidnap women. Runaway slaves also found a refuge with them.The two main groups were the Trelawny Town Maroons led by Kojo (alias Cudjoe) and the Windward Maroons led by Queen Nanny and later by Quao. </div> <bR> <div> The Maroons with the help of other living, and remaining Arawaks Indians, who were also skilled hunters and fierce fighters fought against the British Army, conclusively defeat them. Indian hunters and their dogs had to be imported from Central America to track the Maroons in the bush. </div> <bR> <div> The first Maroon War ended with a treaty that ceded large areas of land to the Maroons. In turn, they had to promise to recapture and return all runaway slaves and help the government in the event of an invasion. </div> <bR> <div> The land ceded to the Maroons was around Flagstaff in Trelawny and was named Trelawny Town, and at Accompong in St. Elizabeth. Accompong remains Maroon territory to this day, but after the Second Maroon War, the Trelawny Town land was taken away and most of the male Maroons exiled to Canada and other moved to different areas of the Free World.</div> <div> The remnants of their families settled nearby in a district now known as Maroon Town. The land given to the Windward Maroons was around Moore Town, Charles Town and Scott's Hall. Of these, Moore Town is the only sizeable Maroon settlement justify. Maroon land is held in common and they are not required to pay taxes. </div> <bR> <div> <B>JAMAICA - History - Independence</B></div> <div> <B>History - The Road Towards Independence</B></div> <div> It was not until 1655, however, that the Spanish were driven from the island by Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables. The Spanish were forced to flee the island but not before freeing the slaves who took to the hills where they remained a constant thorn in the side of the English.</div> <div> In an effort to settle the island Cromwell issued his famous proclamation, which granted land to British citizens who were willing to settle on the island. In 1656 approximately 1,600 immigrants arrived and settled around Port Morant. Although the Spaniards were driven out they never gave up hope of recapturing the island of Jamaica and in 1658 another Spanish force landed but was defeated at the decisive battle at Rio Nuevo.</div> <div> The island began to prosper under the rule of the British. Great wealth was brought to the island by the buccaneers, who operated mainly from Port Royal, by plundering Spanish ships which transported gold and silver from South America.</div> <div> By the late Seventeenth Century, Port Royal had earned the reputation of being the richest and the wickedest city in the world. In 1692 this town suffered destruction by an earthquake in which more than half of the town sank beneath the sea. This signaled the end of piracy in the West Indies.</div> <div> The second half of the Seventeenth Century saw the beginning of the "sugar revolution". Large parcels of land were planted in sugar cane. The whole process of making sugar required a huge labour force. The English planters sought various groups to provide the much needed labour. African slavery was not new to the West Indies and had been introduced by the Spanish and the Portuguese. Later, the Dutch supplied slaves from Africa, and they taught the English the techniques necessary for the production of sugar.</div> <div> The Africans brought in were from many tribes, although the majority were Coromantees from the Gold Coast, Eboes from the Bight of Benin and Mandingoes. The Coromantees are described as being a strong, brave, proud and fierce race. Most of the slave revolts in Jamaica were led by Coromantee slaves.</div> <div> The slaves were divided into two main groups, the field slaves and the domestic/house slaves. In the case of the former they were further divided into skilled workers such as carpenters, coopers, drivers, masons, blacksmiths, and unskilled workers, that is, those who worked in the field. Punishment was a regular part of estate life and ranged from lashings, to maiming and ultimately death.</div> <div> There was resistance to slavery by slaves, both passive and active. Examples of passive resistance included poisoning of masters, destruction of property, and infanticide. In the case of active resistance, there were open rebellions, and many slaves ran away and joined forces with the slaves who were set free by the Spanish or who had fled to the interior hills of the island. They were later called Maroons. In 1735 - 1739 they fought against the British in what was called the First Maroon War.</div> <bR> <div> Although Jamaica’s sugar industry continued to grow and provide England with great wealth it was not without its problems. For instance, wars throughout the Eighteenth Century, caused a reduction in trade between the colonies and Great Britain. The lack of supplies adversely affected the health of the slaves, and ultimately lowered the production of sugar.</div> <div> The abolition of the slave trade in 1807, marked the beginning of the end of slavery and the economic power of the Jamaican planters. By 1813, the wealth of the West Indian planters could no longer muffle the cries of the abolitionists and humanitarians to free the slaves. Consequently, in 1833 slavery was abolished in the British West Indies and a system of apprenticeship was adopted. The objective of the apprenticeship system was to help the slaves adjust to their free status and to supply the planters with a source of constant labour until they could adjust to full wage labour. The abuses of the system brought about a premature end to slavery and in 1838 full freedom was given.</div> <bR> <div> Although taken from their country of origin the slaves retained some aspects of their culture. In the case of their language some African words, such as "nyam", "duckunnoo", "patoo", and language patterns which include the repetition of a word, as in the case of "chaka chaka" meaning chaotic, and "little little" meaning very small, were retained.</div> <div> The abolition of slavery saw a rise in the construction of Free Villages, and growth in peasant farming. There was also an increase in the membership of Nonconformist Churches and a system of education for the free blacks was introduced. In addition, the planters' fear of mass migration of ex-slaves from the plantation saw the introduction of other racial groups to replace slave labour. Groups brought in included Europeans (Germans, Scots and Portuguese), Free Africans, Chinese and East Indians.</div> <bR> <div> Although many things had changed, social conditions remained more or less the same for blacks. By the 1860's the situation had worsened and gave rise to what was later called, the Morant Bay Rebellion. The Morant Bay Rebellion brought about some changes in Jamaica, firstly, the system of Government changed from Representative to Crown Colony (or direct Crown rule), secondly, the Anglican Church was disestablished, thirdly, the Institute of Jamaica was founded to encourage literature, science and art. By 1872 the capital was transferred from Spanish Town to Kingston. There was an improvement in the water supply and a number of schools were established. There was a shift from sugar to banana production.</div> <bR> <div> The Great War (1914 - 1918) gave many Jamaicans the opportunity to travel which in turn helped to shape their views of the system of Government. In addition, during the early Twentieth Century, many Jamaicans left in search of employment in the Panama Canal Zone, and in Costa Rica, Cuba and Honduras to work on the plantations. The movement of people brought about a change in ideas by the 1920's. Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who promoted unity among blacks and pride in their race, became a prominent figure during this period. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="606" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 2731 WIDTH="602"><div> <B>Jamaica</B></div> <div> Our rich Jamaican heritage is depicted by our motto "Out of Many One People". Although over 45% of our population is comprised of individuals of African descent, the contribution of other ethnic groups such as the Indians, the Chinese, the Germans, the Jews, and the Syrians/Lebanese to the social and economic development of the country cannot go unnoticed.</div> <bR> <div> <B>AFRICANS</B><B> </B></div> <div> <B>Spainards/Moroccans/Africans</B> </div> <div> The first Africans arrived in Jamaica in 1513 as servants to the Spanish settlers. These Africans were freed by the Spanish when the English captured the island in 1655. They immediately fled to the mountains where they fought to retain their freedom and became the first Maroons. </div> <bR> <div> With the advent of the Sugar Revolution, there was an acute labour shortage. This need was met by large scale importation of enslaved Africans. The result of the slave trade was that the majority of the Jamaican population was of African descent. From the time of the Africans arrival to the New World, there was miscegenation, leading to the rapid development of a coloured population. </div> <div> The abolition of the British slave trade in 1807 did not mean that people of African origin no longer came to the island. In fact during the apprenticeship period (1834-1838) and in 1839, a<B> </B>number of persons of African descent came to Jamaica as free labourers. Also, in the following 25 years about 10, 000 free labourers of African origin came to the island. </div> <div> The chief survivals of African culture are said to be in the parishes which had the largest number of these voluntary workers. For example, the kumina ritual of St. Thomas is one of the best known surviving rituals. </div> <bR> <div> <B>INDIANS </B></div> <div> The East Indians are the largest ethnic minority in Jamaica. They arrived as indentured labourers<B> </B>between 1845 and 1917. The Indians came to Jamaica to earn a "fortune" for starting a better life back in India. </div> <div> It has been noted that the religious sentiments of the Indians were not considered by the recruiting authorites, because, the majority of these immigrants were Hindus, followed by Muslims, yet priests were never recruited to satisfy the religious needs of the Indians. The priests who arrived came as indentured labourers and practised their preisthood as a part-time profession. </div> <div> At the end of the indentureship contract, many Indians reverted to their ancestral occupations, some became farmers or fishermen, while others returned to the trades - barber, goldsmith and ironsmith. Some became money lenders. </div> <div> The traditional Indian practice of naming the the boys after gods and heroes and the girls after godesses, rivers, flowers, seasons, moods, or words of great significance have now been completely abandoned. Almost every Indian regardless of his or her religion has anglicized first and second names; the surnames too have been changed except for names such as Maragh and Singh. </div> <div> The Indians introduced several plants and trees in Jamaica, the most common being betel leaves, betel nut, coolie plum, mango, jackfruit, and tamarind. The food habits of Indians have a distinctly Indian flavour and taste. A typical Indian dinner consists of curried goat, roti, pulses usually cooked with mangoes, curried potato, eggplant, bitter gourd and okra. </div> <bR> <div> <B>CHINESE </B></div> <div> The Chinese represent a very small proportion of the Jamaican population, nevertheless, their impact has been great particularly in the area of commerce. </div> <div> The first Chinese arrived in 1849. The Chinese were brought as indentured labourers to work on the<B> </B>sugar estates following the the emancipation of the slaves. However they disliked the nature of the work and soon left the left the estates and set up small grocery shops all across the island. Eventually they were able to develop their businesses until the small grocery shops grew into large enterprises embracing not only retailing, but also wholesaling and other types of activities. </div> <div> Although some Chinese went back home to marry Chinese wives who they brought back to Jamaica, others inter-married with non-Chinese Jamaicans contributing to the island's racial mixture. </div> <div> Apart from the development of commerce, the popularity of Chinese food among Jamaicans is a lasting contribution to the island. </div> <bR> <div> <B>GERMANS </B></div> <div> The Germans came as indentured labourers. After emancipation, the Colonial Government of Jamaica adopted a programme of settling European peasants in the island. It was hoped that they would create a thriving settlement and act as a model for the ex-slaves. It was also hoped that if the hills were settled by Europeans, the ex-slaves would continue to work on on the large estates. The programme was never a success. </div> <div> Between the years 1834 and 1838 about 1, 210 German immigrants arrived in the island. They were small trades people, a few farmers and disbanded soldiers of light calvary regiment. </div> <div> In 1835, Lord Seaford gave 500 acres of his 10, 000 acre estate in Westmoreland for the Seaford Town German settlement. Initially over 200 German immigrants settled in Seaford Town in Westmoreland. </div> <div> To survive the German settlers had to learn how to plant ground provisions and to speak patois. Presently no German is spoken with the exception of a few words known and used only by old people. A few German names such as Hacker, Eldemire, Wedemire, Grosskoph, Kleinhans and Schleifer, which have undergone slight spelling changes, have survived. </div> <bR> <div> <B>JEWS</B><B> </B></div> <div> The first Jews came to the island during the Spanish occupation of the island, 1494-1655. These Jews came from Spain and Portugal. They fled because of the Spanish inquisition. To conceal their identity they referred to themselves as "Portuguese" and practiced their religion secretly. At the time of the British conquest of the island in 1655, General Venables recorded the presence of many "Portuguese" in Jamaica. The Jews were allowed to remain after the conquest and began to practice their religion openly. </div> <bR> <div> The Jews were granted British citizenship by Cromwell and this was confirmed in 1660 by King Charles. They attained full political rights in 1831. The status of British citizenship enabled ownership of property by the Jews. </div> <div> Jamaica's Jewish population was never large. However, their contribution to the economic and commercial life of the nation outstripped that of any other group of comparable size in Jamaica. </div> <bR> <div> <B>SYRIANS/LEBANESE </B></div> <div> In the last decade of the nineteenth century, immigrants from the Middle East began arriving in Jamaica. The majority came from Lebanon, the others were from Damascus in Syria and from Bethlehem in Palestine. It is important to note that at the time of the first immigration to Jamaica, the Middle East area was known as Syria and Mount Lebanon was a part of Syria. Later when the countries were divided, the people from Mount Lebanon became known as Lebanese. </div> <div> Turkish oppression was given as the main reason for the departure from the Middle East. When these immigrants arrived in Jamaica, many of them went into cultivating bananas or buying and selling. Many of these immigrants eventually gave up the banana business and went into retail trading since hurricanes often upset the banana industry. </div> <bR> <div> Despite being a small percentage of the Jamaican population, this group has played a significant role in the commercial and industrial development of the economy. Through their influence as well, Syrian bread has become very popular among Jamaicans.<B> </B></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 365 WIDTH="602"><div> <B>Our Government:</B></div> <div> Jamaica is a member-state of the <U>COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS</U> </div> <div> and is governed by <U>PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY</U>. </div> <div> The official or constitutional Head of State is the </div> <div> <U>GOVERNOR GENERAL</U>, who is appointed by the monarch of Britain </div> <div> based on recommendation from the Prime Minister. </div> <div> The <U>PRIME MINISTER</U> of Jamaica is the leader of the elected majority party in the House of Representatives. </div> <div> There are, at present, three major political parties in Jamaica: </div> <div> the <U>PEOPLE’S NATIONAL PARTY (PNP)</U>, </div> <div> the <U>JAMAICA LABOUR PARTY (JLP)</U>, </div> <div> and the <U>NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (NDM)</U>. </div> <div> There are also a number of independent candidates </div> <div> who have contested the general elections. </div> <div> <U>JAMAICA GAINED ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM BRITAIN IN 1962.</U> </div> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 1041 WIDTH="602"><div> <B><U>J</U></B><B><U>A</U></B><B><U>MAICA'</U></B><B> </B></div> <div> <B><U>OUR INDEPENDENCE:</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Like the rest of the world, Jamaica in 1929 began experiencing a depression in its economic growth. This resulted in a continuous decline in social conditions. By 1938, the workers in an effort to improve their situation went on strike and related upheavals ended with the death of a few workers. The 1938 labour riots was another turning point in the history of the people of Jamaica.</div> <div> Alexander Bustamante who emerged as leader of the new labour movement founded the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) later to be associated with the Jamaica Labour Party. In 1938 Norman Manley, the island's foremost barrister, and a cousin of Bustamante formed the People's National Party. Manley led the country to Self Government and Bustamante later became the first Prime Minister of Independent Jamaica.</div> <bR> <div> By 1944, adult suffrage was granted giving all males and females 21 years of age and over, the right to vote. The journey towards Self Government had begun.</div> <bR> <div> The first election under Universal Adult Suffrage was held in 1944 and the Jamaica Labour Party won 25 out of a total of 32 seats.</div> <div> The Federation of the West Indies was launched in 1959 and Jamaica was a part of this group. In 1961, a referendum was called to determine whether or not the people of Jamaica should remain a part of the Federation. The Jamaican people voted for Independence.</div> <div> In January 1962, a draft of the Independence Constitution was brought before both Houses and after a full debate was unanimously approved. It was also agreed that the 300 year old Coat of Arms would be retained and the Latin motto "Indus Uterque Serviet Uni" changed to one in English "Out of Many One People".</div> <bR> <div> At midnight 5th August 1962 the British Flag was lowered and the Jamaican Flag was hoisted for the first time. On the 6th of August 1962 Jamaica was given its independence. Sir Kenneth Blackburne was the last Colonial Governor and the first Governor General. Afterwards, Sir Clifford Campbell, formerly President of the Senate, became the first Jamaican Governor General. </div> <bR> <div> The original Coat of Arms granted to Jamaica in 1661, was designed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, William Sanderoft. Apart from a partial revision in 1957, it remaines virtually the same as was originally designed. The Arms shows a male and female Arawak, standing on either side of the shield which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples superimposed on it. The Crest is a Jamaican crocodile surmounting the Royal Helmet and Mantlings. The original Latin motto, "Indus Uterque Serviet Uni", has been changed to one in English: "Out of many one people."</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>THE LANGUAGE</B> </div> <div> The language of Jamaica is English though you may sometimes find this difficult to believe. Students of dialect maintain that the patois varies from parish to parish and even from yard to yard. Jamaica Talk is a synthesis of several influences: Old English and nautical terms such as "breadkind" and "catch to"; Spanish as in "shampata" from, zapatos (shoes); Irish dialect as in "nyampse" (a fool); African as in "duppy" (a ghost) or "nyam" (to eat), and American slang such as "cool" elaborated as "cool runnings" or "diss" as in disrespect. </div> <bR> <div> Rastafarian "I-dren" (brethren) have their own language and one word that you will hear frequently is "Irie" meaning good, happy, pleasant or high. The traditional Rasta greeting "Peace and Love" is giving way to "Respect due". Dance-hall, Jamaica's latest musical phenomenon, has its own ever evolving language. </div> <div> Though influenced by American "rappers", much of it is entirely indigenous, for example "Browning" which describes any light-skinned girl; to "big-up" a person means to praise or advertise them, and "flex" meaning behaviour or deportment.</div> <bR> <div> <B>RELIGION</B> </div> <div> It is said that there are more churches per square mile in Jamaica than anywhere in the world. The variety of houses of worship covers everything from centuries old parish churches to the bamboo and zinc shacks of Revivalists. The vast majority of believers belong to one of the numerous Christian denominations: the traditional groups being Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventists and United Church (Presbyterian). There are also numerous Evangelical groups as well as Moravians, Mennonites, Plymouth Brethren, Unity and Jehovah Witnesses. Other religious groups include Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Bahai's and Rastafarians. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Rastafari</B> </div> <div> Rastafari is an indigenous religion which emerged during the 1930s as a grass roots answer to social conditions and the irrelevance of white-oriented denominations. Basic tenets include the divinity of the late Emperor Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari) of Ethiopia, re-incarnation, and a taboo against males cutting or combing their hair or beards. </div> <bR> <div> However, Rasta is an evolving and subjective religion and not all Rastas embrace all of these. Rastafari has been used as a cover by criminals, and as a publicity gimmick by pop musicians, but in its pristine form it is a valid faith which emphasizes the indwelling God Spirit in every person. Rastafaris developed their own version of the Jamaican dialect in which "I" is a frequent pre-fix. (For example "I and I" or "I-man" meaning I or myself and "I-dren" meaning children or brethren). "I-tal" food is vegetarian cooking without salt. Many Rastas regard the use of marijuana as a sacrament and aid to meditation. </div> <bR> <div> <B>NATIONAL HEROES</B> </div> <div> The order of National Hero of Jamaica was created in 1965. The first heroes named were Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley, the founders of the two political parties and architects of independent Jamaica. Named at the same time were: Paul Bogle, a farmer and preacher who led the so-called Morant Bay Rebellion, George William Gordon, an ex-member of the House of Assembly who was hung for alleged complicity in the Morant Bay Rebellion, and Marcus Garvey, a journalist and printer who emigrated to the United States and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association. In 1975 two more were created: Sam Sharpe, the involuntary leader of the Christmas Rebellion in 1831 and Nanny, chieftainess of the Windward Maroons though historical evidence of the lady is non-existent. </div> <bR> <div> <B>MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN JAMAICA</B> </div> <div> <I>RT. Hon. P.J. Patterson</I> </div> <div> <I>Prime Minister of Jamaica</I> </div> <div> To be asked to name my favourite spot in Jamaica is like being asked to pick a single gem from a room full of sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds.</div> <div> Each time I travel through the island, I discover yet another spot of breathtaking beauty. There is always that spectacular view along roads which is specially revealed for the first time after many previous journeys. Within minutes of driving or a climb of a few hundred feet, the traveler in Jamaica often experiences not just a simple change of scenery but the marvel of a totally different vista.</div> <bR> <div> How does one choose between the majesty of our hills and the serenity of our waters? To avoid making that agonizing choice, I will opt for a spot which combines nearly all the joys of nature.</div> <bR> <div> High in the hills of Eastern Westmoreland, there nestles a somnolent village. As each day dawns, a beguiling mist gives way to the first rays of sunshine. The air is fresh, the breeze gentle, the atmosphere serene. The tranquillity is enhanced by a constant chirping from the birds. Beyond the cliffs below, there is a bewitching view of the coastline - the sea with its delicate tincture and rhythmic waves.</div> <div> In the distance, one can see fishermen paddling their small canoes to cast their nets or raise their pots. Above there is the brilliant blue sky, with only the semblance of a slowly drifting cloud. As one looks westward, there is a panoramic view of the fertile plains, with the gentle streams making their way through the cane fields. The surrounding hills are dotted with humble cottages where live proud but gentle people, farmers in the main, tending their crops. Mango trees are laden. Breadfruit is in season. Gardens are resplendent with crotons, ferns, hibiscus. The verdant trees are covered with clusters of red poinciana and flaming jacaranda. As the evening ends, one can see the sun, like a burning ball of fire, disappear slowly below the western sky. At this spot, where every prospect pleases, one feels truly at peace with nature. </div> <div> Needless to say, it is off the beaten track. Its name - Content.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Rt. Hon. Edward Seaga</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> <I><B>Leader of the Opposition </B></I></div> <div> Deep in the hills by a stream; temperature 60-65 degrees; mist in the evening and early morning; lots of shade trees, I don't fancy too much direct sun; a soft, gentle breeze. Philodendrons in the undergrowth, azaleas and hydrangeas for mass of colour. A view of nearby hills with very few homes. No view of the city. Books? A small selection. The birds will do the rest. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Derek Milton</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> <I><B>Former British High Commissioner</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> Some of my most memorable experiences in Jamaica have been spent far up in the coffee growing areas of the Blue Mountains where tourist beaches are a distant prospect and where the air is cool and clear. Perhaps my favourite place is at the highest point of the road which goes up through Newcastle and down to Buff Bay. Beyond Hardware Gap and before you sweep down to silver Hill is a beautiful, ever-changing vista over majestic hills ? ever-changing because the clouds are constantly creating new shapes and shadows. Sometimes the mist comes down and blots out the view completely, and then the magic moment comes when the mist suddenly disperses and reveals the view once again.</div> <div> Up here where the coffee bushes thrive there is a wonderful range of wild flowers and shrubs not found at lower levels. The almost over-powering scent from the wild ginger will stay with me for many years as will the agapanthus, angels trumpets and eucalyptus.</div> <div> Here the pavements and city streets are far away; there are few cars and less noise and bustle. This is a place to contemplate on the wonders of nature and to refresh one's mind and body for life's daily exigencies.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>J. Gary Cooper</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> <I><B>Former United States Ambassador</B></I></div> <div> If you were to ask me to name my favourite place in Jamaica, there could only be one answer - its capital city, Kingston. Yes, the beaches are beautiful, the mountains breathtaking, but anyone who visits this lovely island and does not see Kingston is missing an essential and vibrant part of the Jamaican experience. To a first-time visitor, the sights and sounds may seem confusing and chaotic; but Kingston is the pulse of the nation, the center of commerce, the seat of government, and definitely not a sleepy backwater. There is the bustle of downtown: the ships in the harbour, the street vendors, the lovely Ward Theatre and the superbly designed Conference Centre. Then there is the businesslike atmosphere of New Kingston, with its tall buildings and smartly dressed office workers. Combine this with a variety of cultural delights: Devon House, museums, music, theatre and an impressive array of art galleries and you will find a metropolis of many moods. You may even find an oasis of tranquillity in Hope Gardens or the University Campus at Mona. Without question, there is a sense of history in the traditions of government, of academia and in the architecture of places such as Kings House, Jamaica House, Spanish Town and Port Royal.</div> <bR> <div> Yet, Kingston is so much more than buildings, parks and streets. It is the vibrancy of the people which makes this such a great city. You see it in the range of artistic expression in the fine arts, theatre and music, in the world class performances of Jamaica's excellent athletes, in celebrations such as Carnival and in the cultural and academic contributions Jamaicans have made to other countries, including my own. Tough and voluble, but with an endurance, warmth and humour that is typically Jamaican, the creative energy of the people makes Kingston exciting, sometimes exhausting but never dull!</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Kathryn Hewlett- Jobes</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> <I><B>Former High Commissioner</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> <I><B>Canadian High Commission</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> What a challenge! How to pick one favourite place among so many possibilities. Potential selections abound from the heights of the Blue Mountains to the cool depths of the coral reefs under the surrounding sea. Should it be the sheer sensual beauty of the mountains, with their extraordinary colours of plant, flower and bird life; enjoying the touch of warm, humid air that suddenly cools as a cloud rolls in; the driving energy of a pelting rain shower; the heady fragrance of myriad flowers, damp earth, wild spices; the melodious competition of birds fiercely singing for control over their bit of territory; the heavy sweetness of mangoes hanging from richly laden trees . . .</div> <bR> <div> Or perhaps the north coast, with its rich store of pleasures for those in search of fun, sun, and a taste of the rhythm of Jamaica. Or the quieter pursuits of the south coast; dropping down from well-tended farms to the gentle expanse of Treasure Beach, its rolling waves enticing all ages to try a little body surfing; watching the fishermen weigh and haggle over the day's catch; sneaking a swing on the tarzan rope to plunge into the grotto pool underneath the spectacular YS falls . . </div> <div> No wait, what about the cool delight of sinking into the tranquil depths 'neath the seas, an alien observer in a silent world, trading stares with impassive, wise groupers, marveling at the exquisite organization of coral as their millions cooperate to create exquisite fans, antlers, tubes . . .</div> <bR> <div> <B>No, better yet . . .</B></div> <div> <I><B>Dr. Wilfried Bolewski</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> <I><B>Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany </B></I></div> <div> To escape the hustle and bustle of life in the capital Kingston, I have come to like the quietness of Port Antonio and its surroundings.</div> <div> The best vantage point to overlook the beautiful coastline seems to be the Bonnie View Hotel. The short ferry trip to Navy Island draws you into the seclusion and mystique of Errol Flynn's memories. Frenchman's Cove with its rain forest approach and picturesque beach reflects the miniature character of the island's landscape.</div> <div> The wider space and rough waves of Long Bay have captured my fascination and whetted my appetite for the famous Portland jerked pork.</div> <div> All in all, Jamaica in and of itself is my favorite place.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Hiroshi Funakoshi</B></I><I><B> </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Former Japanese Charg' D'Affaires and Counsellor </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Embassy of Japan in Jamaica</B></I><I><B> </B></I></div> <div> My wife, Misako, and myself have been in the beautiful island of Jamaica for the past 3 years and it is very difficult to pinpoint any one place as being our favourite. We each have special spots that are dear to our hearts and spots that we share together.</div> <div> We have travelled the island many times and have seen the wealth of beauty spots the island has to offer. Many times we have had the impression that the scenery here and that in Japan are somewhat similar. There is a feeling of open friendliness. </div> <div> For myself, I would say that Port Antonio is my number one. The breathtakingly beautiful scenery and quiet atmosphere gives me just what I need for quiet meditation after a hard week at the mission. The atmosphere there is one that is so quaint and I would venture to say is indigenous to the parish.</div> <div> My wife is a scuba-diver and so Negril is her favorite place. She has spent many hours enjoying the coral reefs and viewing the marine life off the coast of Negril.</div> <div> Jointly we would say though that Montego Bay is a place where we share sentiments. Why . . . Golf, golf and more golf. The course at the Half Moon Hotel is so lush and nice, and the world renowned Tryall Golf Course is one place that we are happy to have played.</div> <bR> <div> There are so many places and things that we love about Jamaica, including Blue Mountain Coffee, reggae music and the people, that when our tour of duty ends, there will be many happy memories for us to take back to Japan. </div> <bR> <div> *Excerpted from Tour Jamaica by Margaret Morris </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Over three centuries of slavery on the island, some slaves, like Nanny, escaped from the plantations and joined them. Some believe the name Maroon comes from the Spanish word, 'cimarron' meaning 'wild.' </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>But is this really true? NO!</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Jamaica ~ Noamie's Negril.Com </B></div> <bR> <div> <I>Sources: Ammar, N. From Whence they came in The Jamaica Journal. Issa, S. (1994). Mr. Jamaica - Abe Issa. Kingston: publisher, Sherlock, P. and Bennett, H. (1998). The story of the Jamaican people. Kingston: Ian Randle Publishers.</I> </div> <div> http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0056.htm</div> <bR> <div> <B>BIB</B><B>LIO</B><B>GRAPHY </B></div> <div> <B>Book(s)</B> </div> <div> Senior,Olive A-Z of Jamaican Heritage (Kingston: </div> <div> Heinemann Educational Books Ltd. 1987) </div> <div> <B>Articles </B></div> <div> Ammar, Nellie "They Came form the Middle East" IN </div> <div> <U>Jamaica Journal</U> Vol. 1 No.1, 1974 </div> <div> (Kingston: Institute of Jamaica </div> <div> Publications Ltd.) </div> <div> Depass Scott, Rosemarie "Spanish and Portuguese </div> <div> Jews of Jamaica mid 16th to </div> <div> mid 17th C." IN <U>Jamaica</U> </div> <div> <U>Journal</U> Vol. 43, 1979 </div> <div> (Kingston: Institute of </div> <div> Jamaica Publications Ltd.) </div> <div> Hall, Douglas "Bountied European Immigration into </div> <div> Jamaica" IN <U>Jamaica Journal</U> Vol. 8 No. </div> <div> 4, 1970 (Kingston: Institute of </div> <div> Jamaica Publications Ltd.) </div> <div> Jacobs, H. P. "The Last of the Africans" IN Jamaica </div> <div> Journal Vol.8 No. 4, 1974 (<B> </B>Kingston: </div> <div> Institute of Jamaica Publications Ltd.) </div> <div> Manasingh, Lakshmi & Ajai "Indian Heritage in </div> <div> Jamaica" IN <U>Jamaica</U> </div> <div> <U>Journal </U>Vol. 10 No. 2, </div> <div> 1976 (Kinston: Institute of </div> <div> Jamaica Publications Ltd </div> <div> <B>Sourse: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0043.htm</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="2fe58010.gif" border=0 width="600" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>