BRIEF HISTORY OF JAMAICA
OUT OF MANY ONE PEOPLE
The Spaniards arrived in 1492 when Christoper Columbus discovered Jamaica on his second voyage. The Tainos, a gentle peaceful people who never experienced war was found on the island. The Tainos named the Island
"Xaymaca" meaning 'land of wood and water.' In 1509 the first capital was established by the
Spaniards, named New Seville which was located near Ocho Rios.
The English arrived in Jamaica in 1655 and turned the island into a vast sugar plantation. The Spaniards fled to
neighbouring islands and their slaves went into the Mountains and formed a force called the Maroons. New slaves
were brought in from the West Coast of Africa and Nigeria for the plantations. The English and the Maroons
constantly fought and in 1739 a Treaty was signed between them that gave the Maroons their autonomy. Its still in
force today. Slavery was abolished in 1834.
Migrants from India and China came as Indentured Servants. Jewish settlers came to Jamaica followed my
migrant Arab traders from Palestine. Mixed marriages created today's unique racially mixed Jamaican people,
and are the basis of Jamaica's national motto "Out of Many, One People." Jamaicans helped to build the Panama
Canal, grew cane in Cuba and mahogany in Belize while some early enterprising ones started communities
in the United States, Great Britain and elsewhere
Two political parties were formed in the 1930's: the People's National Party formed by Norman Manley and the
Jamaica Labour Party formed by Alexander Bustamante. Both were later made national heroes.
Jamaica gained independence at midnight on August 6, 1962. The ceremony was witnessed by Britain's
Princess Margaret and U.S. Vice President, Lyndon Johnson.
Music legends such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals, Third World, Shaggy, Beenie Man,
Sean Paul and many others. Our athletes such as Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson, Deon Hemmings, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-ann Price, Patrick Ewing, Donald Quarrie have made significant contribution to our sports; The National Dance Theatre Company showcases Jamaica's colourful history and contemporary ideas have performed well and placed us proudly on the world map.
The Maroons started 'jerking' to conceal their whereabouts. Today jerked pork, chicken and fish is everywhere.
Bammyis a favourite with fish. It is made from cassava, a root tuber which was first cultivated by the Tainos.
Ackee brought from Africa in the 1600, mixed with codfish is our national dish and a favourite among visitors to the
Island. The Indian and Chinese influence can be seen in the curries and chow mien dishes.
Jamaica is home to some of the finest rums and exotic blends, including the award winning Tia-maria coffee liqueur
and Blue Mountain Coffee, considered to be one of the world finest coffee. We are indeed OUT OF MANY, ONE
PEOPLE with a rich culture and heritage going into the future.
The Spaniards arrived in 1492 when Christoper Columbus discovered Jamaica on his second voyage. The Tainos, a gentle peaceful people who never experienced war was found on the island. The Tainos named the Island
"Xaymaca" meaning 'land of wood and water.' In 1509 the first capital was established by the
Spaniards, named New Seville which was located near Ocho Rios.
The English arrived in Jamaica in 1655 and turned the island into a vast sugar plantation. The Spaniards fled to
neighbouring islands and their slaves went into the Mountains and formed a force called the Maroons. New slaves
were brought in from the West Coast of Africa and Nigeria for the plantations. The English and the Maroons
constantly fought and in 1739 a Treaty was signed between them that gave the Maroons their autonomy. Its still in
force today. Slavery was abolished in 1834.
Migrants from India and China came as Indentured Servants. Jewish settlers came to Jamaica followed my
migrant Arab traders from Palestine. Mixed marriages created today's unique racially mixed Jamaican people,
and are the basis of Jamaica's national motto "Out of Many, One People." Jamaicans helped to build the Panama
Canal, grew cane in Cuba and mahogany in Belize while some early enterprising ones started communities
in the United States, Great Britain and elsewhere
Two political parties were formed in the 1930's: the People's National Party formed by Norman Manley and the
Jamaica Labour Party formed by Alexander Bustamante. Both were later made national heroes.
Jamaica gained independence at midnight on August 6, 1962. The ceremony was witnessed by Britain's
Princess Margaret and U.S. Vice President, Lyndon Johnson.
Music legends such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals, Third World, Shaggy, Beenie Man,
Sean Paul and many others. Our athletes such as Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson, Deon Hemmings, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-ann Price, Patrick Ewing, Donald Quarrie have made significant contribution to our sports; The National Dance Theatre Company showcases Jamaica's colourful history and contemporary ideas have performed well and placed us proudly on the world map.
The Maroons started 'jerking' to conceal their whereabouts. Today jerked pork, chicken and fish is everywhere.
Bammyis a favourite with fish. It is made from cassava, a root tuber which was first cultivated by the Tainos.
Ackee brought from Africa in the 1600, mixed with codfish is our national dish and a favourite among visitors to the
Island. The Indian and Chinese influence can be seen in the curries and chow mien dishes.
Jamaica is home to some of the finest rums and exotic blends, including the award winning Tia-maria coffee liqueur
and Blue Mountain Coffee, considered to be one of the world finest coffee. We are indeed OUT OF MANY, ONE
PEOPLE with a rich culture and heritage going into the future.