Celebrating the much-loved Caribbean island on its 51st year of independence

Written by Davina Hamilton From THE VOICE

REGGAE MUSIC, jerk chicken, Usain Bolt – just three Jamaican exports that have brought great joy to the world. And for an island of just over 4,200 square miles to have made such an enormous international contribution, it’s no wonder it boasts the expression, “we likkle but we talawa!”

The much-loved Caribbean island acquired its independence from the British colonial powers on August 6, 1962 after years of political subjugation. And with this week marking Jamaica’s 51st year of independence, we mark the occasion with a series of facts and fun, in celebration of the little island that makes a big impact.

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10 FACTS ABOUT JAMAICA

1. Jamaica is the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean

2. The doctor bird or swallow-tail hummingbird is the national bird

3. It was the first Caribbean country to gain Independence

4. Ian Fleming designed and built his home, “Goldeneye”, in Jamaica and wrote 10 of his James Bond novels there

5. The Blue Mountains in Jamaica are so-named for the mists that often cover them, which look blue from a distance

6. Jamaica was the first tropical country to enter the Winter Olympics

7. The national dish is ackee and saltfish

8. Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean (Cuba is the first, Hispaniola – containing the Dominican Republic and Haiti – is the second)

9. Jamaica was the first commercial producer of bananas in the Western Hemisphere

10. Apart from the US, Jamaica has won the most world and Olympic medals

TEST YOUR JAMAICA KNOWLEDGE: QUIZ

(Answers at the bottom of page)

1) Which Jamaican artist is affectionately known as ‘Di Captain’?

A – Beres Hammond

B – Freddie McGregor

C – John Holt

2) Which of these entertainers was raised in Jamaica?

A – Harry Belafonte

B – Sammy Davis Junior

C – Bill Cosby

3) What was Usain Bolt’s winning time in the 100m final at the London 2012 Olympics?

A – 9.61 seconds

B- 9.62 seconds

C – 9.63 seconds

4) What is Jamaica’s tourism slogan?

A – The beach is just the beginning

B – Jamaica to di world!

C – Once you go you know

5) In what year did Jamaica first enter the Winter Olympics?

A – 1988

B – 1992

C – 1996

LAUGH ‘TIL YOU BELLY BUSS – JAMAICAN JOKES

The Rasta visitor

A Rastaman went to visit an old family friend. He knocked on the door and somebody inside called out, “A who dat?”

The Rastaman replied: “I and I, Jah Rastafari, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, conquering lion of the tribe of Judah, son of Haile Selassie I.”

The person inside shouted back: “Well a me one dey yah, and mi nah open de door fi so much ah oonu!”

Smart at sea

On a ship an American, an English man, and a Jamaican were sailing. Suddenly, the Devil appeared and said: “Drop something in the sea. If I find it I will eat you – if I can’t find it, then I will be your slave!”

The American dropped a diamond. The Devil quickly found it and ate him. The English man dropped tiny platinum piece. The Devil found it and ate him too.

It was then the Jamaican man’s turn. He proceeded to open a bottle of water, poured it in the sea and said to the Devil: “Yeah man, find that nuh! You tink seh Jamaicans ah eedyat?”

For more on this story go to:

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/jamaica-land-we-love-0

QUIZ ANSWERS: 1-B; 2-A; 3-C; 4-C; 5-A