Happy Emancipation Day Jamaica!

Hey World!:)

A lil Jamaican perspective about our Emancipation Day:

The Historic Spanish Town Square was the area where many persons listened tentatively while the governor read the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves, in its “Plaza Mayora” (pictured below). 

The celebration of Emancipation on August 1, 1838 in the Square of Spanish Town, the then capital of Jamaica. There was a procession of the Baptist Church and Congregation of Spanish Town under the Rev. J.M. Phillips, with about 2,000 school children and their teachers to Government House. Amid tremendous rejoicing, Governor Sir Lionel Smith read the Proclamation of Freedom to the large crowd of about 8,000 people, who had gathered in the Square. The governor's carriage is seen in the foreground (pictured below).

The Act of Emancipation (1833) set in motion the most significant and far-reaching social and economic revolution in the history of Jamaica as well as for other countries in the Commonwealth Caribbean. It mandated that in the first instance large numbers of individuals were no longer slaves but neither were they free citizens. They were "apprenticed labourers". Full freedom was granted in 1838... but FULL and FREE CITIZENSHIP was still a loooooooooong way off.

Emancipation did not mean the beginning of good times. According to Sherlock and Bennett in 'The Story of the Jamaican People' (1998): "Emancipation gave them the right to free movement, the right to choose where and when they wished to work, but without basic education and training many were compelled to remain on the plantation as field hands and tenants-at-will under conditions determined by the landlord, and for wages set by him."

Patwa Huh?

Hey World!:)

Meme Chat... Patwa?! is going to be a new feature where i will post words, sayings or proverbs in my Jamaican dialect, Patios (pronounced Pat-wa) as well as explain the meaning of the word or phrase. This feature is in honour (yes, that is the correct spelling of honour, we use British English) of our Jamaica 50 celebrations!

I'll post this feature every monday. Here is the first of this lil series:)

"When chubble tek yuh, pikney shut fit yuh"

Translation: When you find yourself in trouble, a child's shirt fits you.

Explanation: When we are in trouble, we appreciate whatever help we can get to extricate ourselves. This is so, even if under normal circumstances we would have thought such help woefully inadequate.

I Am Proudly Celebrating Jamaica 50!

Hey World!

This year is a milestone year for Jamaica, so i know it's gonna be HUUUUUGE! Every event or celebration this year is just gonna MAAAAJOR!!!! Our National Flag was first raised on Independence Day, August 6, 1962. And this year will be our fiftieth anniversary. While we celebrate, our memories of our past trials and our achievements will be a definate inspiration for us moving forward.
NOW for the juicy tidbits, I myself am anxiously waiting for the London 2012 Olympic Games (specifically the athletics segment from August 3-12, 2012), where our Jamaican athletes will take center stage and WOW the world [again]. However for others, i know their list of big moments this year includes but is not limited to the following:

• April 26- 29 -- Expo Jamaica 50, National Indoor Sports Arena, Jamaica
• April 28- 29 -- Kingston Pon Di River, Literary, Arts & Music Festival, Boone Hall Oasis, Stony Hill, Jamaica
• May 5 -- Jamaica Invitational Athletic Meet, National Stadium
• May 23 -- National Labour Day
• May 28 -- 9th Annual Palm Beach Jerk Caribbean Culture Festival, Florida, USA
• June 21 -- Jamaica 50 Ladies Day Royal Ascot, United Kingdom
• July 1 -- International Reggae Day Street Party, New Kingston, Jamaica
• July 15- 21 -- Reggae Sumfest 2012, Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica (Remember to book your hotel rooms early)

• July 25- August 6 -- O2 AEG London Program (Six Day Jamaica Music Festival, Bob Marley Exhibition, Jamaica House @ the Bubble, Brixton Splash)
• August 1 -- Emancipation Day
• August 1- 5 -- Establish Jamaica 50 Independence Jubilee Village JCDC
• August 1 -- Augus Fair & Reggae Night
• August 2 -- Mello Go Roun
• August 3 -- Independence Nostalgia + World Reggae Dance Festival
• August 4 -- Jamaica Praise, Indoor Sports Center
• August 4 -- Oliver Samuels presents Jamaica 50th Independence Celebration, Roberto Clemente State Park, Bronx, New York
• August 5 -- Independence Street Parade, Indoor Sports Center
• August 5 -- Independence Grand Gala, Indoor Sports Center
• August 6 -- Independence Day
• August 3-6 -- Dream Weekend, Negril (Remember to book your hotel rooms early)

• August 11 -- Independence Gala: Jamaica Land We Love, Toronto

Falmouth Pier: A Glimpse

Hey World!

Recently, i went on a road trip and ended up at the Falmouth Pier, Trelawny, Jamaica. Those are always the best road trips-- no set final destination, just you, the wide open road and the mini adventures in between lol. While at the Falmouth Pier, I must say i was very pleased with the developments and was even more pleased at the way my country was on display down by the Pier. *wide smile* The few tourists i spoke with were very happy, they enjoyed the tours around the town and they available shops were to their liking, so what more could i ask for. Will go into more details at a later date though, i promise!

Living Legacies

Hey World!


In honour of Black History Month and February being identified as Reggae Month here on the island, i will highlight some of Jamaica's living legacies namely our heroes and those identified by a majority of the people, as being a true Jamaican Hero.


All of Jamaica’s national heroes fought to establish and lay the foundation and identity of Jamaica as a nation. They earned their status because of their political anti-slavery colonial endeavors. In one way or another they either fought for or were responsible for the development of the nation.


Some were freedom fighters on the battle field for the liberation of Jamaica, like Paul Bogle, Nanny of the Maroons and Sam Sharpe, others sought to establish freedom through the more formal legal and constitutional process like George William Gordon, Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante.


Marcus Garvey, the first national hero, contribution was made because of the global impact of his political and ideological philosophy- Black Nationalism. Bob Marley in his music philosophically drew almost exclusively from Garvey’s political philosophy and work.


However, there are two persons who the Jamaican people would like to see being bestowed as a National Hero and they are Bob Marley and Louise Bennett-Coverley. The strongest argument for considering Marley as a national hero is as a cultural icon and how that related to Jamaica’s national identity. Marley’s accomplishments and impact has enhanced Jamaica’s national identity in the international community.


While Louise Bennett "Miss Lou" is our first lady of culture. Louise Bennett-Coverley is a poet and folklorist of international reputation, an radio and television personality; an author of folk stories; a dominant personality of Jamaican theatre for four decades.  In short she is a living - and more often than laughing - a legend in her time. Her honours have ranged from the Member of the Order of the British Empire awarded by Queen Elizabeth II in 1961, the Musgrave Silver Medal, the Norman Manley Award of Excellence, and in 1974, the Order of Jamaica which entitled her to be addressed as 'the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley'.

NB.* All the individuals being highlighted are deceased. But i guess you must be wondering, why i refer to them as living legacies. The answer is really simple, the individuals above have made an indeliable mark on Jamaican society and although death have separated us, we still remember and honour their work.