Caribbean History of Jamaica

 The first inhabitants of Jamaica are believed to be from the Taino and Arawaks tribe. They came a very long time ago and named the island Xaymaca, which means "The land of wood and water". The tribes led a very peaceful life until the Spaniards showed up and took over, Christopher Columbus found the land in 1494.  The Spaniards goal was to take over the island, and they did. Most of the indigenous people that lived there were sent away, enslaved, or brought down by disease that the Spaniard brought. The Spaniards controlled the island until 1655. When the English arrived at the island, the Spaniards surrendered to the English and the English took over. Just like everywhere else, the Europeans take what was never there's in the first place. The island became an official British colony in 1707. Both the Spanish and the English imported slaves from Africa, but the Spaniards freed their slaves as they fled. There were wars for freedom, several slave rebellions stand out in Jamaica history for example, the Easter Rebellion of 1760 led by Tacky; and the Christmas rebellion of 1831 which began on the Kensington Estate in St. James, led by Sam Sharpe. He has been named a national hero. On January 1, 1808 the Abolition Bill was passed. Trading in African slaves was declared to be "utterly abolished, prohibited and declared to be unlawful". Emancipation and apprenticeship came in effect in 1834 and full freedom was in 1838. The island became a Crown colony in 1866. "Crown colony" is when a British colony has the entire control of legislation administration, as distinguished from one having a constitution and representative government.

    Jamaica's culture is mixed due to all the different races on the island, but there is a lot of things that can never change about Jamaica. Like the food, the indigenous grew cassava, sweet potatoes, corn, fruit, and vegetables, cotton and tobacco. Tobacco was grown on a large scale because smoking was a very popular past time. Today, Jamaica's food is fairly the same, people grow their own food and resources, and plant life is very important. Smoking is still a part of Jamaica's culture as well, especially marijuana. People on the island appreciate the plants. Also, people on the island use plants for medicinal uses just like the indigenous people of the land. Spirituality/beliefs and practices to connect to the nature/divine energies is also still around. That is something that will never leave the souls of people with connection to the higher power. Dancing, chanting, singing etc. will always be a way to liberate our souls. To me this is nothing new, it is not about where you are born, because I too am a believer of plants for medicinal uses and I am a believer of a higher power. I am connected to nature just like my ancestors, and I practice my spirituality daily to be closer to the great divine. I am blessed with the power of the great divine and there are many others around the world who is blessed as well. Sure you can label people by origin, but soon you will realize that it doesn't matter where you are born. People like me will forever carry out similar traditions passed down by our ancestors. What matters is the spirit, mind and soul.  

Resources: https://jis.gov.jm/information/jamaican-history/

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