W A H G W A A N

Yaard nuh haffi bi ah distant memory !
Draw lang bench an palav!

NATIONAL SYMBOLS

The Jamaican National Flag came into use on August 6, 1962, Jamaica's Independence Day. The flag comprises of three colors: gold, green and black. The gold represents the sun and Jamaica's natural wealth. The green represent the island's mountainous landscape, agricultural resources, and hope. The black represents represent the strength and creativity of the Jamaican people, as well as overcoming past and future hardships

Ackee & Saltfish is the country's national dish. It is often eaten with breadfruit, dumplings or yam, boiled dumplings & green banana.

The Swallow-tail Hummingbird is the national bird of Jamaica. It is more commonly referred to as the Doctor Bird since the male's long, black tail feathers and black crest reminded people of the coattails and top hat of an old-fashioned doctor.

The Quadrille Dress can be found across all the Caribbean countries. However, the design and colors are always unique to each country. In Jamaica, the national dress consists of a fully-flared skirt made of bandana cloth. It's a predominantly red fabric interwoven with white and blue to create a plaid pattern.

The Lignum Vitae also scientifically named as the Guiacum Officinale,is a tree native to the West Indies and tropical America. The name translates from Latin to "wood of life". It's thought that the name "Wood of Life" was given to it because of its medicinal qualities.

The Coat of Arms consists of a shield which has a red cross and five golden pineapples which are flanked by a male and female Taino standing at each side. The crest consists of a Jamaican crocodile surmounting the royal helmet and mantling. All these figures on the Coat of Arms represent Jamaica in various ways. The national motto, 'Out of Many One People' is a tribute to the unity of the different cultural minorities inhabiting the nation. The Jamaican crocodile is the indigenous reptile of the country

The National Heroes of Jamaica are people who have made a significant impact on the country and are recognized with the Order of the National Hero, an award established by the Jamaican government in 1969:

Nanny of the Maroons (1680s-1750s)
The only female national hero, Nanny was a fearless Asante warrior and leader of her village who inspired her people to fight against the English in the early 18th century

Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1887-1940)
Jamaica's first national hero, Garvey was a Black nationalist leader who created the "Back to Africa" movement in the United States

Alexander Bustamante
Alexander Bustamante founded the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) in 1938 and was also founder of the Alexande BustamanteJamaica Labour Party (JLP). He became Jamaica's first Prime Minister in 1962 and died in 1977.

Paul Bogle (1822-1865)
Paul Bogle was a Deacon of the Native Baptist Church in Stony Gut, St. Thomas, Jamaica. His belief in the teachingsPaul Bogle of the Bible inspired him to become involved in the peoples' struggle for justice. He spent much of his time educating and training the members of his congregation, and is credited with initiating the so-called Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865.

Samuel "Sam" Sharp (1804-1832)
Samuel Sharp also called 'Daddy' Sharpe, was a Deacon at the Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay. In 1831 he led the Christmas Rebellion which started at Kensington Estate in St. James and then spread throughout the western end of the island.

Norman Washington Manley (1893-1969)
A Rhodes Scholar and leading lawyer in the 1920s, Manley was Jamaica's first and only Premier and played a key role in the country's fight for independence

George William Gordon (1820-1865)
George William Gordon, the son of a planter and one of his female slaves was born at Cherry Garden Estate inGeorge William Gordon St. Andrew. Gordon was self-educated and became a successful landowner and businessman. He was one of the original founding members of the Jamaica Mutual Life Society, an insurance company. Gordon was an exceptional "free coloured"; he championed the cause of poor blacks. As a member of the Jamaica Assembly, his defense of the social and moral rights of the oppressed made him an enemy of the Colonial establishment, particularly Governor John Eyre

The Blue Mahoe, also known as the Hibiscus elatus, is indigenous to the island. It has been regarded as one of the primary economic timbers. It is currently much used for reafforestation and is a valuable source of cabinet timber. It's a symbol of strength and resilience, and a reminder that people can overcome obstacles if they are strong and determined.

Ackee is Jamaica's national fruit, but it's not native to the island. Most likely it was imported from West Africa on a slave ship. Do know that unripe ackee can be poisonous.