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History, Jamaican Ancestry

From Asante to Maroon: The African Roots of the Jamaican People

The majority of Jamaicans are descendants of Africans forcibly brought to the island between the 17th and 19th centuries during the transatlantic slave trade. Although European slave traders grouped them as “Africans,” these men, women, and children came from a range of distinct ethnic groups, nations, and cultures across West and Central Africa. The largest contributions came from the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana), the Bight of Biafra (primarily Nigeria), and West-Central Africa (especially Congo and Angola regions).

Food

Stinking Toe: The Caribbean’s Funky Scented Superfruit That’s Sweet, Nutritious, and Full of Surprise

Known widely as Stinking Toe, this fruit from the towering West Indian Locust tree (Hymenaea courbaril) is a sensory paradox. It is offensive to the nose, yet oddly delightful to the palate. Shaped like a toe and emitting a pungent, earthy odor reminiscent of smelly socks, the Stinking Toe is not for the faint of heart. But for those brave enough to crack open its thick, woody shell, it reveals a dry, powdery pulp that’s surprisingly sweet and packed with health benefits.

History

Chains of Empire: Who Enabled the Slave Trade and Why It Happened – A Deeper Look into Jamaica’s African Origins

Jamaica’s African heritage is not accidental—it is the result of centuries of calculated, systemic exploitation known as the transatlantic slave trade. This wasn’t a tragedy that “just happened.” It was a deliberate global enterprise, engineered by powerful economic and political forces, and supported by local African collaborators, European elites, and colonial administrators alike.

To understand why enslaved Africans were brought to Jamaica and who allowed it to happen, we must pull back the curtain on a vast, brutal machinery that turned human lives into currency, empires into superpowers, and Africa into a bleeding continent.

History

Mountains, Maroons, and the Might of Cudjoe

Long before Jamaica gained independence in 1962, freedom was already being carved into the island’s mountainous heart by self-liberated Africans who refused to bow to colonial chains. At the forefront of this fierce resistance stood Captain Cudjoe — a warrior, strategist, and the legendary leader of the Leeward Maroons. His legacy is one of defiance, diplomacy, and deep ancestral pride. Known also as Codjoe, Cudjo, or Kojo (an Akan name given to boys born on Monday), this Jamaican hero helped shape a unique chapter in Caribbean history — one written not by colonial rulers but by the blood, courage, and determination of a free African people.

Land for Sale

Claim Your Corner of South Manchester: ¼ Acre Lots Available Now

Looking for land that gives you room to breathe, grow, and build your dreams? Nestled in the cool hills of South Manchester, these ¼ acre lots offer the perfect blend of natural beauty and opportunity.

Just off the beaten path, this quiet pocket of countryside is where fresh air meets fertile ground. Imagine the soft crunch of gravel beneath your tires as you pull into your own slice of red earth. Morning mist lingers over wild grass while the trees sway gently overhead—this is the kind of place that grounds you.

🚗 Roads Already In
These lots are cleared and roadwork has begun, giving you a head start toward building. Whether you’re heading into Mandeville, Alligator Pond, or just enjoying a drive through the hills, access is easy and convenient.

🌱 Lush, Untouched Setting
Surrounded by towering trees and rich greenery, this land is perfect for creating a home where you can live close to nature. Think fruit trees, herb gardens, and space to exhale.

🏡 Room to Grow
With ¼ acre to work with, you have more than enough space for a comfortable home, a backyard garden, and maybe even that gazebo you’ve always dreamed of.

📍 Naturally Elevated Living
South Manchester is known for its cooler climate, strong community spirit, and fertile land. Whether you’re building for your family, investing for the future, or planning a return to your roots—this location delivers.

Start Something Real

It’s not just land—it’s possibility. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a returning resident ready to reconnect with home, this is your opportunity to own in one of Jamaica’s most authentic and naturally beautiful parishes.

History

Garnet Silk: The Messenger, the Martyr, the Voice of a Nation

On a warm Jamaican night in December 1994, a house went up in flames in Mandeville. Inside that house were two souls — one an elder, Etiga Dulcie Grey, and the other, a son, a prophet, a beloved voice of a generation: Garnet Silk. The world lost more than just a singer that night. It lost a man sent to heal, to uplift, to guide. It lost a voice that could cradle sorrow and summon joy in the same breath. It lost a light that burned too brightly to last long.

Caribbean News

New Blood Type Discovered in Caribbean Woman Shakes Up Global Science

Meet “Gwada Negative,” the 48th Known Blood Group in the World

In a breakthrough that has stunned the global medical community, French scientists have identified a brand-new human blood type—discovered in a woman from the French-Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. The rare blood type, dubbed “Gwada negative,” now stands as the 48th officially recognized blood group system in the world.

This is not just another variation of A, B, AB, or O. It’s a completely new blood group system, newly recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion—a monumental advancement in transfusion medicine.