Introduction To Jamaica

Out of Many, One People.

 

With a population of 2 million and an area of 4,240 sq miles the history of Jamaica is bound by oppression, incarceration, slavery, resistance to forced labour and the fight for independence.

 

The Spanish began the slave industry when they settled in 1510. The indigenous Taino people having been forced into slavery were eventually exterminated so later in the 16^th century the practise of importing West African slaves began.

 

In 1655 the Spanish were overthrown by the British who ruled the island for over 300 years. The period of transition between Spanish and British rule was marked by the escape of West African slaves who made their homes in the interior and formed the resistance to the British slave trade. The Maroons as they are known, developed a unique culture and they were granted autonomy in 1739.

 

The slave trade continued and increased to an almost industrial scale by the British colonisers and by the time the slave trade was abolished in 1807 almost two million slaves had been traded in Jamaica.

 

The abolition of the slave trade led to the collapse of the plantation system and new battles to be fought such as unemployment, taxation and a fight for democracy and self governance from the reigning British crown.

 

Independence came on 6^th August 1962 and followed over 300 years of British rule.

 

Traces of its African legacy and British rule are still to be found in Jamaica. The. Language owes much to the Twi language, spoken in West Africa. Cricket remains a favourite sport  and the British Monarchy still play a role in government. English is the official language.

 

Jamaica is a melting pot of culture and people with a motto to reflect its diversity, ‘Out of many, one people’.

 

I hope to discover the role the church is playing in Jamaica’s society and culture today. As well as the fight for reparations my understanding is the church is at the forefront of education and justice issues.