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Culture, History

The Maroons of Jamaica: Freedom Fighters in the Mountains

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The story of the Jamaican Maroons begins in the mountains, where freedom was carved from resistance. The Maroons were Africans who escaped slavery and established independent communities in Jamaica’s rugged interior. Their roots trace back to the island’s earliest colonial period, when Spain controlled Jamaica from 1493 to 1655. Enslaved Africans brought by the Spanish often fled to the hills, forming some of the first “refugee” communities of free blacks.

News, Politics

Jamaica General Elections 2025: Andrew Holness Secures Historic Third Term

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Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have carved their place in Jamaica’s political history, winning the island’s 19th general election and securing an unprecedented third consecutive term in office. The victory, though narrow, underscores the JLP’s resilience amid mounting public concerns about corruption, inequality, and economic pressures.

Sports

Jamaicans Set for Big Stage in Upcoming Track Meets

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Jamaica’s sprinters and hurdlers are once again set to light up the international track and field stage as a wave of rising and established stars head into two major competitions this weekend. From the International North Thuringian Athletics Meeting in Sondershausen, Germany, to the Diamond League clash in Chorzow, Poland, Jamaicans will be chasing glory against some of the world’s best.

Caribbean News, Healthcare

Jamaica’s Healthcare Crisis: The Harsh Reality and the Way Forward

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In Jamaica, healthcare is supposed to be a right, not a privilege. Our island operates a dual healthcare system: a public network, funded and managed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and a private sector for those who can afford faster, more advanced services. On paper, this model should provide every Jamaican with access to care. In reality, it’s a system under strain—overcrowded, underfunded, and leaving too many without timely treatment.

History, Rivers

Jamaica’s Living Veins: The Sacred, Scenic, and Storied Rivers of the Land of Wood and Water

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Jamaica, affectionately called Xaymaca by the island’s first inhabitants—the Taino—means “Land of Wood and Water.” Few places in the Caribbean embody this name as powerfully as Jamaica, with over 120 rivers flowing through its valleys, cascading down its mountains, and weaving into the daily lives, heritage, and identity of its people. From the north coast’s rafting havens to the south’s hidden freshwater gems, rivers in Jamaica are not merely natural resources—they are lifelines, witnesses to rebellion, channels of commerce, and gateways to adventure.

History, News

A Third City for Jamaica: Prime Minister Holness Announces Bold Urban Development in St. Elizabeth

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In a historic move set to redefine Jamaica’s urban and economic landscape, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative — the creation of Jamaica’s third city — to be purposefully built in the parish of St. Elizabeth. This transformative project, revealed during the grand opening of KFC Black River on July 26, 2025, signals a new chapter in national development and promises to shift the axis of progress to the island’s often-overlooked south coast.

History, Out of Many One People

Out of India, Into Jamaica: The Undeniable Legacy of Indo-Jamaicans

1 Comment / History, Out of Many One People /

Jamaica is often praised for its national motto: Out of Many, One People. This phrase doesn’t merely echo patriotic sentiment — it encapsulates the nation’s deep and complex multicultural identity. As of 2024, Jamaica’s demographic makeup is approximately 76.3% of African descent, 15.1% Afro-European (mixed), 3.4% East Indian and Afro-East Indian, 3.2% Caucasian (White), 1.2% Chinese, and 0.8% Other. Among these groups, Indo-Jamaicans — descendants of Indian indentured labourers and later migrants — represent the largest ethnic minority in the country, critical in Jamaican culture. 

History, Rastafarianism

Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey, and the Rise of Rastafarianism

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Among the many powerful and world-shaping stories in the African diaspora, few have fused prophecy, kingship, resistance, and faith quite like the spiritual connection between Haile Selassie I, Marcus Garvey, and the birth of Rastafarianism.

Rooted in the Black struggle for identity, dignity, and liberation, this story stretches from the hills of Jamaica to the highlands of Ethiopia—linking ancient royal lineage to modern political resistance, and transforming how generations of Africans and their descendants see themselves and their Creator.

This is not just the tale of a man becoming king. It is the spiritual awakening of a people—a movement that redefined God, Africa, and destiny through Black eyes and Black voices.

History

George Stiebel: The Rise of Jamaica’s First Black Millionaire and the Legacy of Devon House

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In the 19th century, a man of mixed heritage defied the odds, amassed a fortune from the rugged frontiers of South America, and etched his name in Jamaica’s history. That man was George Stiebel (c.1821–1896) — a trader, investor, and visionary entrepreneur, remembered today as Jamaica’s first Black millionaire. But behind the wealth lies a layered story of privilege, resilience, ambition, and legacy — one that still captivates Jamaicans and historians alike.

History, Jamaican Ancestry

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

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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).