Happy New Year 2011

Photo From: http://www.vacationcounts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/New-Years-2011-Beach2.jpg

Posted on youtube by RodandCustom

See yuh layta Mon!

Happy Boxing Day 2010

Photo from:  http://poshposh.com/image/2009/12/Happy%20Boxing%20Day.gif

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Merry Christmas 2010

Photo from: http://blog.sierratradingpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Merry-Christmas.jpg

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Jamaica is celebrating 48 years of Independence today!

THE JAMAICAN NATIONAL FLAG was raised when Independence was first gained from Britain on the 6th day of August 1962. It's flown on many triumphant occasions. The design came from a bipartisan committee of the Jamaica House of Representatives. Black depicts the strength and creativity of the people; Gold, the natural wealth and beauty of the sunlight and; Green, hope and agriculture resources.

~ Today the flag is interpreted: "The sun shineth, the land is green and the people are strong and creative".~

The code of use: The Jamaican Flag should never be smaller than any other fag flown at the same time; It should never be allowed to touch the ground/floor; It should not be flown or used only for decorative purposes on anything that is for temporary use and likely to be discarded, except on state occasions; When the flag becomes more worn and must be replace, it must be burned; The flag shouldn't be draped over vehicles, except that of military, police and on state occasions; Do not place any foreign flag above or to the right of the Jamaican flag, except at foreign embassies, consulates and missions; Do not raise any foreign flag publicly, unless the Jamaican flag is also flown, except at foreign embassies, consulates and missions.

THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF JAMAICA is British English. However many on the island speak the Patios dialect, which in recent years has been taught in some schools.

THE JAMAICAN COAT OF ARMS contains the national motto, "Out of Many One People", based on the population's multi-racial roots. The motto is represented on the Coat of Arms, showing a male and female member of the Taino/Arawak American Indian tribe standing on either side of a shield which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples. The crest shows a Jamaican crocodile mounted on the Royal Helmet of the British Monarchy and mantling. Considered as a legacy from the British with slight modifications, the Jamaican Coat of Arms was granted to Jamaica around 1661 under Royal warrant. The original was designed by William Sancroft, then archbishop of Canterbury.

All the figured on the Coat of Arms represents Jamaica.

The Pineapples - as the indigenous fruits.

The Arawaks/Tainos - as the first inhabitants of the country

The Crocodile - as the indigenous reptile in the country and

The use of the Royal Helmet and Mantling is a unique distinction accorded to Jamaica by the

British.

Today, the Coat of Arms appears on bank notes, coins and national documents.

Photo: http://www.jcacleveland.org/images/arms.gif

Ackee (Blighia sapida) is the NATIONAL FRUIT OF JAMAICA. Although the ackee tree is not indigenous to Jamaica, it has historic associations. Ackee is also a component of the NATIONAL DISH OF JAMAICA, ackee & salted codfish.

Photo: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfV6W3ulGxVSsdq81hX7ryx4UqJl8tQQeubT3Sdw-UnaJFTPfEraoR8T2JdVnAVKb48ZQhgl7DDuhZAlRMLYY1Y50Y8qsHN_phmm6f-8INjO107p33gTUcDXm2VvzUVvpThYq2IXE1eI/s400/ackee_credit.jpg

Photo: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxIzcgncWoh1Ttt43Kp8cQODcigy2sHvD5E7jQ63d05vcDqe_s8ez7SSnufnf2WjcySbfboEruw_ypvdafiB8LhIVqsnCSOVa3ZrOJw9MUll7ahR1L2v0cCTZo9PpuDURPAseBCEv9RPg/s720/IMG_8198.JPG

THE NATIONAL BIRD OF JAMAICA is the Doctor Bird or swallow tail humming bird (found only in Jamaica), is one of the most beautiful of the humming bird species. It's beautiful feathers have no counterpart in the entire bird population and they produce iridescent colours characteristic only of that species. Additionally, the mature male has two long tails which stream behind him when he flies.

Photo: http://www.unitedforjamaica.org/images/bird.jpg

The Blue Mahoe is the NATIONAL TREE OF JAMAICA. It is indigenous to the island and grows quite rapidly, often exceeding 60 feet in height. It grows in a wide range of of elevations and is often used in reforestation. The tree's straight trunk, Hibiscus like flowers and broad green leaves are quite attractive.

Photo: http://www.emancipationpark.org.jm/about-us/images/blue-mahoe.jpg

The Lignum Vitae is the NATIONAL FLOWER OF JAMAICA. It was "found" on the island by Christopher Columbus when he arrived in 1494. It's name was translated from Latin, means "wood of life" (probably adopted because of it's medicinal qualities). The short, compact tree is native to continental tropical America and West Indies. In Jamaica it grows best in the dry woodland and along the northern and southern coasts of the island.

Photo: http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/images/jamaica_national_flower_lignum_vitae2.jpg

Bob Marley, a legend in his own right, is the contributor of THE UNOFFICIAL SONG OF JAMAICA. This popular song has been used in a number of commercials to attract vacationers to the island.

Posted on youtube by RsPVenge4nce

Traditionally, there have been two POLITICAL PARTIES in Jamaica, The People's National Party (PNP) and The Jamaican Labor Party (JLP). Over the past decade a third party National Democratic Movement (NDM) has emerged, however they have failed to gain muster. Jamaica is also a participating member of the Caribbean Community CARICOM.

This is the famous photo, from the 1978 "One Love Peace" Concert, of Michael Manley(l)-PNP and Edward Seaga(r)-JLP being forced by Bob Marley to hold hands. This was a symbolic gesture of unification. The most notable thing about this photo is how unhappy the two politicians appear to be.

Some of the issues between the two parties are highlighted in the BET American Gangster: Season 3 Jamaican Gangs.

Photo: http://justwilliam1959.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/marleymanleyseaga.jpg

JAMAICA'S NATIONAL PLEDGE is used on special occasions. "Before God and all mankind, I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart, wisdom and courage of mind, the strength and vigor of my body in the service of my fellow citizens; I promise to stand up for justice, Brotherhood and Peace, to work diligently and creatively, to think generously and honestly, so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race."
In schools a shorter pledge is generally used: "Before God and all mankind, I pledge my love, my loyalty and skills, in the service of Jamaica and my fellow citizens. I promise to work diligently and to help build a prosperous and peaceful nation. Photo: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpxzg34UQY-oz7kyLQGkHXe1u__xazf3lOdfd-lZvs54CI3Sn26OdqRthSmhc6rgoMqFVlZmdl_ooVClbEwSHyFRjfKQ5xE3nplDo9kVkKAB96jItX4Aml3usgfY8vPTJV70gr3Dz/s1600/jamaican+boy+flag.jpg

THE JAMAICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM by Hugh Sherlock.

Eternal Father, Bless our Land,

Guard us with thy mighty hand,

Keep us free from evil powers,

Be our light through countless hours,

To our leaders, great defender,

Grant true wisdom from above,

Justice, truth be ours forever.

Jamaica, land we love,

Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love

Teach us true respect for all,

Stir response to duty's call,

Strengthen us the wear to cherish,

Give us vision lest we perish,

Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,

Grant true wisdom from above,

Justice truth be ours forever,

Jamaica, land we love,

Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love

Posted on youtube by AfricanWoman77

Happy Independence Day!

See yuh layta Mon!

Emancipation Day! (The Road to Freedom)

The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was passed at midnight on 31/7/1834

in the British West Indies at midnight. It

ended servitude in the British Empire on 1st of August 1834.

However, it was four years after on the 1st of August 1838 that Queen Victoria of England granted full freedom to all slaves on the island.

On this day, a variety of islands throughout the Caribbean including Jamaica, celebrate Emancipation Day.

"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds."

~

Bob Marley Redemption Song Lyrics~

See yuh layta Mon!

Happy New Year 2010

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." ~ Oprah Winfrey ~ Happy 2010!

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Merry Christmas & Happy Boxing Day 2009

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Happy Father's day 2009

Any guy can be a father but it take a man to be a dad!  Happy father's day to all the Fathers, Dads...out there, you deserve to have a Great day!

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Happy Labour Day

Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.

- Henry Ford

See yuh lata Mon!

Happy Mother's Day

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Happy Easter weekend!

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Happy Passover

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Escovitch Fish & Hard dough Bread

In the last blog I mentioned that on Good Friday we don't cook in my family and that prepared foods such as bun & cheese and escovitch fish with hard dough bread.   Now I have to be honest here.  I've made the fish but I've NEVER made the bread, however I do have a recipe for it which I will share here.

Fish:

2 lbs  or 5-6 medium sized whole Snapper (Cleaned with the head and tail on.)

1 1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

3 garlic

1 lb or 2 Onions (thinly sliced)

1/4 lb or 3 scotch Bonnet Pepper (Habanero or the hottest pepper that you can find in your area.)

Pimento (you may choose to substitute with cloves.)

1/2 cup Cooking oil (Such as olive oil)

1 cup White Vinegar

Wash fish in generous amounts of vinegar & water

Dry fish with a paper towel and place on a plate

Cut a small deep gash on each side of the fish

Rub salt and black pepper on the outside and in the cavities then put the fish on a plate or shallow bowl.

Place oil in a frying pan (not enough to submerge in oil - as the fish is not being deep fried)

Place heat on high and add cloves of garlic.  

Fry on each side of the fish crispy (turn down the heat as necessary) - Apx 3 minutes on each side.  Cook each side before turning.

Place the fried fish on a plate with dry paper towels

Slice onions, pepper - place this along with pimento into a small pot with vinegar and boil for Apx 5 min. Pour contents over fried fish.

Yields 4 servings

NOTE:Put a stick of cinnamon in a pot of boiling water to alleviate the smell of the frying fish.

This recipe is a contribution from the Spanish Jews who lived on the island nearly 

500 years ago.  

HARD DOUGH BREAD:

11/2 lbs all purpose or Apx 6 cups bread flour

1 pack yeast (Apx 2 tblsp)

1 tsp salt

1 pt warm water

1/4 cup sugar

4 oz shortening - vegetable 

milk or egg white for glazing

Pour flour in a warm bowl

Add shortening to flour and cut in half 

Add yeast, sugar & salt

Add warm water

Knead until soft & roll out

Place in a warm place, cover with a damp cloth, to rise twice in size, 1-2 hours.

Glaze

Bake at 350F until done - Apx 30-40 minutes or golden brown

This recipe was brought to Jamaica by the Chinese.

See yuh lata Mon!

Eater Bun & Cheese

The Easter holiday will be celebrated in Jamaica this year 4/10-4/13/09.  That's right the celebration starts on Good Friday and includes Easter Monday.  My recollection is lots of celebration and food.  Well, actually, on Good Friday in our house we didn't cook.  On Good Friday the only thing that we ate was:

Bun and Cheese,&/or escovitch fish with Hard dough bread. (I'll post on this in a future blog.)

So I thought I'd share with you a bun recipe if you'd like to try your hand at it.

3 1/2 coups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

4tsp Baking powder

1 cup stout or beer

1 egg (beaten)

2 tblsp melted butter or Margarine

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup maraschino cherries

1 cup raisins, mixed peel, cheery (combine fruits to equal one cup)

1/2 tsp ground allspice

pinch of salt

1 tblsp nutmeg

1/2 tablsp cinnamon

1/2 tblsp rose water

1/2 tblsp anise extract

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder, spices and sugar.  Mix thoroughly and add fruit.  Create a well in the center of the mixture and add melted butter and beaten egg. Mix again until it reaches a texture like coarse bread crumbs.  Make another well in the center of this mixture and add beer/stout.  mix the whole thoroughly and pour into a well greased baking meatloaf/bread pan(s).  Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 1/4 hours.  This recipe should yield two buns.  Reserve some cherries, press whole cherries into the top of each bun. Slice like freshly baked bread and serve with cheese.  

If you don't wish to go through the trouble of baking your own bun, then you may want to just buy one. Many stores that carry Jamaican products, carry bun and cheese. However,  at this time of the year you may want to buy yours early. In fact, you may have to order yours. 

See yuh lata Mon!