☆【Jamaican Pride】☆

[Donique Smile]

The Anthem

The 1st and most important thing that we as jamaican should know is our national anthem. It is a sign of our patriotic love for our country and symbol of our independence and unity of the people.

In September 1961, it was announced that the competition for the words of the National Anthem would be judged in the first instance. The successful script would then be published and a contest for the music put in train. Nearly one hundred entries for the words were received and it was subsequently announced on March 17 that the competition for the words of the National Anthem would close on Saturday March 31, 1962.

A Joint Committee of the Houses of Parliament was responsible for making the final selection. Members remained divided between two possible choices until Thursday July 19, 1962 when the large majority of the House, after eager debate, approved the resolution which was put to it and the version previously heard in the lobby was selected as suitable. The Anthem is the creative work of four persons, the late Rev. and Hon. Hugh Sherlock, OJ, OBE, the late Hon. Robert Lightbourne, OJ, the late Mapletoft Poulle and Mrs. Poulle (now Mrs. Raymond Lindo).

♫ ♪NATIONAL ANTHEM ♫ ♪

Eternal Father bless our land,
Guard* us with Thy Mighty Hand,
Keep us free from evil powers,
Be our light through countless hours.
To our Leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

Teach us true respect for all,
Stir response to duty’s call, strengthen us the weak to cherish,
Give us vision lest we perish.
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

*Most people say GUIDE which is not in the original national anthem - GUARD is.  

[Donique Smile]

TheFlag

✔ The flag of Jamaica was adopted on August 6, 1962
✔ The flag consists of a gold saltire, which divides the flag into four sections: two of them green (top and bottom) and two black (hoist and fly).
✔ It was originally designed with horizontal stripes
✔ The present design emerged from those sent in by the public in a national competition.
✔ The colour black representing the strength and creativity of the people which has allowed them to overcome the odds, yellow for the golden sunshine and green for the lush vegetation of the island.

 

[Donique Smile]

TheHeroes
& Heroine

Jamaica’s National Heroes dared to challenge the institution of colonialism and in so doing changed the course of Jamaica’s history giving social and political freedom to its people. Today, the statues of Jamaica’s seven National Heroes stand in proud acknowledgment, in the National Heroes Park in Kingston where they are viewed with inspiring pride, unforgettable symbols of Jamaica’s enduring strength.

PAUL BOGLE
birth date uncertain-died 1865.
Paul Bogle, a Baptist Deacon was generally regarded as a peaceful man who shunned violence. He believed in the teachings of the Bible, endorsing the principles of charity and endurance. Yet he was also a leader and organizer who knew well the terrains of the land and had spent time in educating and training his followers. He lived in St. Thomas and led the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865.

GEORGE WILLIAM GORDON
1820-1865.
George William Gordon was a free colored land owner and an associate of Bogle. As a member of the House of Parliament, he used his position to highlight the sufferings of the people and to make a plea for changes. The Morant Bay Rebellion and the resultant deaths of Bogle and Gordon precipitated the beginning of a new era in Jamaica’s development. The British government became compelled to make changes including outstanding reforms in education, health, local government, banking and infrastructure.

NANNY
lived and died in Nanny Town.
Nanny of the Maroons stands out in history as the only female among Jamaica’s national heroes. She possessed that fierce fighting spirit generally associated with the courage of men. In fact, Nanny is described as a fearless Asante warrior who used militarist techniques to foul and beguile the English. Like the heroes of the pre Independence era, Nanny too met her untimely death at the instigation of the English sometime around 1734. Yet, the spirit of Nanny of the Maroons remains today as a symbol of that domitable desire that will never yield to captivity.

SAMUEL SHARPE
1801-1832
‘Daddy’ Sam Sharpe, as he was affectionately called was to carry on the Resistance against slavery effecting at the young age of 31, the most outstanding Slave Rebellion in Jamaica’s history. Sharpe, an educated town slave, was a preacher and spokesman. Intelligent and sharp, he followed the developments of the abolition movement by reading discarded local and foreign papers and was able to advise his followers. Sharpe was tired of slavery, spent months in strategic planning, educating the slaves and traveling from estate to estate in secret meetings at nights, igniting the slaves with inspiring messages of hope of freedom. The 1831 Christmas Rebellion started in St. James and spread throughout the entire island. The Rebellion started on December 28 and lasted 8 days. Sam Sharpe was eventually captured and hung at the Parade in Montego Bay (now renamed Sam Sharpe Square). On August 28, 1833 slavery was abolished and the System of Apprenticeship instituted, allowing for the total freedom of slaves in the next 4-6 years. On August 1, 1938 the Apprenticeship System ended granting full freedom to the slaves.

SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER CLARKE BUSTAMANTE
1884-1977
Alexander Bustamante was an aggressive, outspoken young man who understood the dynamics of labor relations. A charismatic and impressive speaker, he used the media to criticize the prevailing political system and its attendant social problems. He started the Industrial Trade Union in 1938 and was jailed for 17 moths following labor riots. He became Jamaica’s first Chief Minister, a position he held until 1954, being knighted that same year by the queen. On August 6, 1962 Jamaica was granted full independence. At the first session of Parliament, Bustamante received the Instruments of Independence from the queen’s representative, Princess Margaret. This time in Jamaica’s history drastic changes were heralded, not by bloodshed but by peaceful negotiations.

NORMAN WASHINGTON MANLEY
1893-1969.
Norman Washington Manley founded the People’s National Party which later was tied to the Trade Union Congress and the N.W. U. Together with Bustamante, their efforts resulted in the New Constitution of 1944 granting full Adult Suffrage. In 1955 Manley was elected Chief Minister. The 400 year British Rule, invoking slavery, deculturisation, uprising and bloodshed was not at an end.

MARCUS MOSIAH GARVEY
1887-1940.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey stands out in history as one who was greatly committed to the concept of the Emancipation of minds. Garvey who was born in St. Ann became famous worldwide as a leader who was courageous and eloquent in his call for improvement for Blacks. He sought the unification of all Blacks through the establishment of the United Negro Improvement Association and spoke out against economic exploitation and cultural denigration. He spent many years in the United States pursuing his goal of Black Unification.  

[Donique Smile]

TheHeroes'
Song

Luckily for those of us with not so great memory capabilities, someone was kind enough to write this song for us. The National Hero Song's author is unknown to me and many others so if you find out...let me know cool .

♫ ♪Jamaica National Heroes Song:
Forward, Forever United Which We Seek You Seek♫ ♪


Chorus: Forward, forever united
Students workers and farmers

1. Granny Nanny of Nanny Town
symbol of unity and strength
lighted the flame of freedom
in the hearts of earlier Jamaicans

Chorus

2. Sam Sharpe, non-violent leader
instigated the slaves of Jamaica
to fight for freedom and liberty
and throw off the shackles of slavery

Chorus

3. George William Gordon, far seeing statesman
struggled for human rights and dignity
he was unjustly executed
for raising his voice against oppression

Chorus

4. Paul Bogle of Stony Gut
fought against oppression and deception
leader, preacher and martyr
he died in the cause of justice

Chorus

5. Marcus Mosiah Garvey
fighter of Black Man's dignity
throughout every nation
he gave all black man a dream

Chorus

6. Patriot Norman Manley
made politics an instrument of progress
father of the nation
man of integrity and justice

Chorus

7. Alexander Bustamante
a ledgendary figure in his lifetime
indomitable labour leader
first Prime Minister of Jamaica

Final chorus
Forward forever united
Jamaica united forever