Out of Many, One People: The National Motto and the Makeup of Jamaicans

THE TAINOS

The Tainos aka Arawaks are commonly said to be the earliest inhabitants of Jamaica. Knowledge about the culture of the Tainos is largely based on archaeological evidence and the written records of the Spanish and English who colonized the island. This is mainly a result of the decimation of the Taino population by enslavement, warfare, and diseases. Prior to Spanish encounter in 1494, the Taino population, is estimated to have been between five and six hundred thousand. By the end of Spanish colonization, the population was reduced to extinction . Nevertheless, the Tainos are considered to be a part of Jamaica’s historical heritage. The Jamaican coat of arms also bears the images of two Tainos, as well as the symbol of the pineapple, a fruit that was common part of Taino diet ³. Evidence of the existence of the Tainos that have become a part of Jamaica’s historical heritage are:

• Artistic objects- pottery, shell implements, mealing stones, ornaments, wooden images, and celts.
• Apellatation- hammock, hurricane, canoe, and tobacco .
• Geographical landmarks- Mountain River Cave in St. Catherine, Arawak Cave in Trelawny, and Green Grotto Caves in St. Ann ⁴.

THE SPANISH

European ethnicity in Jamaica began with the arrival of the Spanish in 1494, when Christopher Columbus landed in St. Ann’s Bay, which later became the central location of the Spaniards. It was Columbus’s second voyage to the Caribbean where he had first learnt about Jamaica (then called Xamayca by the Tainos) through the inhabitants of Cuba, but the establishment as well as the destruction of a settlement at La Navidad in Hispaniola delayed his exploration of the West Indies. Nonetheless, in 1494, he continued such activities which led him to occupy Jamaica in 1509 ⁵. Spain’s interest in Jamaica was primarily influenced by the search for gold, but finding this precious metal on the island proved futile. Consequently, not many Spaniards desired to settle in Jamaica at first, but the fertility of the land, which provided great yields in food production, and its strategic location, resulted in Spanish settlement in later years ⁶. Evidence of Spanish settlement have become a part of Jamaica’s historical heritage, and are mainly place names and landmarks such as:

• Seville, formerly Sevilla la Nueva—the first major town to be established by the Spanish in 1509
• Spanish Town, formerly Villa de la Vega— the second major town to be constructed by the Spanish in 1534
• Spanish Town Cathedral—located on the site of the Chapel of the Red Cross, which was one of the first Spanish Cathedrals to be constructed in the New World
• Names such as Ocho Rios, Rio Cobre, Rio Grande, Oracabessa and Rio Bueno ⁷

THE AFRICANS

• Jamaican creole (English)— essentially a mixture of English and African languages
• Dance— Dinkini Mini, Kumina and Jonkanoo
• Music—Mento (Jamaica’s first original popular music form which is a combination of African and British musical elements). Heavy drumming, commonly associated with West African music is a popular component of Jamaican music
• Folklore—Obeah, Duppy, Jamaican Proverbs, and Anancy Stories ¹⁰

THE ENGLISH

The year 1655 marked a turning point in Jamaica’s ethnic history, as the English captured the island. This was the introduction to the most prominent group of Europeans on the island. Furthermore, their arrival is largely responsible for the influx of Africans into Jamaica. With settlement by the English, the social, political as well as economic culture of the island changed once again. It also saw the introduction of new biological species (for example, the mongoose and ackee). Moreover, the English are largely responsible for the creation of a diverse population as they were the ones who brought different ethnic groups to the island. Remnants of English settlement account for a significant part of Jamaica’s historical heritage. It still influences aspects of Jamaica’s political and social life such as:

• The Political System— Parliamentary democracy, and constitutional monarchy
• The Education System— Structure is based on the English model
• Social Customs—Main/formal language is English, stratification of society, Maypole dancing, and playing Cricket and football.
• The Legal System—the Privy Council, located in the United Kingdom, is the final court.
• Food— Christmas pudding, and Easter bun ¹¹.

THE INDIANS

After emancipation, many of the island’s planters held the view that there would be and was a significant shortage of labour that was needed to successfully continue the plantation system. It was on this basis that they employed the use of indentured labourers, and Indians aka East Indians, comprised the greater portion of these labourers. The years 1845 and 1917 mark the start and end of the period of Indian indentured immigration on the island. It is estimated that the total number of the first set of Indians who came to Jamaica was 260; however this figure was short of 10 immigrants who had died on board the ship Blundell Hunter ¹². These Indians journeyed from Calcutta and disembarked at Port Royal, later. Like others who subsequently arrived, they were brought under contractual arrangements— five years with the option of returning home after ¹³. But there were also some who came as independent immigrants, commonly known as ‘Bombay Merchants’ ¹⁴.With the Indians came the introduction of another culture to the island. Elements of this culture are noticeable especially in the culinary aspect of Jamaica’s heritage. Foods such as curried dishes and rice, which is a popular staple in Jamaican diet, are of Indian origin.

THE LEBANESE/SYRIANS

Though a relatively small group, the Lebanese, also called Syrians, is a prominent ethnic group in Jamaica. The year 1891 marks the first arrival of this ethnic group in Jamaica, and one of, if not, the main cause of their departure from their native land—Lebanon, Damascus, and Bethlehem (formerly a part of Syria) — was religious persecution. Britain and her colonies provided a better alternative as the Lebanese believed that these territories offered great prosperity. Today, not only are Syrians known for their business prowess, but they have played a significant role in the commercial and industrial development of Jamaica . Even one of Jamaica’s former prime ministers, Edward Seaga, is a Lebanese descendant ¹⁵.