Jamaica: Land of Wood and Water

 For centuries other people have conquered other people. Maybe it's human nature or maybe it's big egos... I think it's pure evil. But let me tell you about the Land of Wood and Water

Xaymaca, which means "Land of Wood and Water" , were inhabited by the Arawak and Taino peoples. Christopher Columbus came upon the island in 1494 and claimed it for the Spanish. Most of these indigenous people either migrated off the island or were enslaved or were sick due to newfound diseases brought by the Spanish. They controlled the island until 1655. It was later renamed to what is known today as Jamaica after the English acquired the island.

On August 6, 1962, Jamaica was granted independence from England. Jamaica today has its own constitution that provides freedom, equality, and justice for all. Today, August 6 is the official Jamaica Independence Day and is celebrated by wearing clothes and shoes with the colors of the Jamaican flag, green, yellow, and black.

The country's years of oppression is expressed greatly in their popular music and customs. Reggae comes from the term "rags" or "ragged clothes". Reggae singers sing about love, cosmic spiritual love, rebellion, and revolution against forces that impeded that love. 

Bob Marley. Does that name ring a bell? He is considered a pioneer of Reggae music. Search him up and give his songs a listen, i'm sure he won't disappoint.

For years, I've been taught in history classes about people oppressing others, taking over others, or killing others. It's seen in today's history as well. The belief that people are better than others due to the fact that their skin color is lighter is a belief that I cannot and will never agree with. It is a belief that has origins to the early 1400s. This world is beautiful, but sometimes we are not. We need to do better as a whole. Black Lives Matter today. Tomorrow. Forever. 

3 Islands: Jamaica, Aruba, Dominican Republic

Works Cited:

“A Brief History of Reggae Music: First Jamaica, Then the World.” Sunset At The Palms, 5 June 2017, www.thepalmsjamaica.com/brief-history-reggae-music-first-jamaica-world/.

“Jamaica.” The Virtual Caribbean Library, ggccaribbean.wpengine.com/listing/jamaica/.




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