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Flags of the World - Jamaica Blog Post

Ello! I am StJohn Wright from Notarial Services (Yorkshire & Derbyshire) Limited, practicing as StJohn Wright Notary Public. Welcome to the thirteenth blog post about ‘Flags of the World’: this week the blog post is about Jamaica.


Jamaica’s flag has 3 colours (black, yellow and green), which represent difficulties, sunlight and agriculture, respectively. The colours on this nation’s flag make it one of just 2 in the world not to share a colour with the USA’s flag.


In 1509, Jamaica (the 3rd largest island in the Caribbean) was occupied by the Spaniards under a licence from Colombus’s son and African slaves were brought in to work on the sugar plantations. In 1655, Jamaica was colonised by the British, and finally, in 1838, slavery was abolished within Jamaica. In 1938, there were serious riots caused by unemployment and resentment against British racial policies, and the People’s National Party (PNP) was founded by Norman Manley. Jamaica became independent within the British Commonwealth with Alexander Bustamante of the Jamaica Labour Party as prime minister in 1962. In 1972, Michael Manley became prime minister following an impressive victory by the PNP in the general elections and pursues a policy of economic self-reliance. In 1989, the PNP ousts JLP in elections, causing Michael Manley to be re-elected as prime minister. Manley, however, chose to continue Seaga’s policy course. In April 1999, violent protests take place against a 30% increase in fuel prices. In July 2001, Troops and armoured vehicles moved in to restore order in Kingston (due to the massive increase in the crime rate – where a third of Jamaicans live), after 3 days of unrest leave at least 27 people were dead. In 2012, Mrs Simpson-Miller said that 50 years after Jamaica gained its independence from Britain, it was time for the country to break free from the British monarchy and become a republic. In 2022, the Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, said that the transition to republic is to be completed by the next general election, currently scheduled for 2025. Popular support for republicanism grows following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.


Declarations and Affidavits are written documents. They are commonly found in deed bundles as part of the evidence of title collected by lawyers. They are often used to verify family relationships, or to certify that a particular piece of land had been in someone’s possession for a substantial period of time. If you need a Notary to get this completed, don’t hesitate to contact via the options at the bottom of this blog post.


Jamaica was once a Spanish-speaking country between 1509 and 1655. The capital of Jamaica was Villa de la Vega, which was called Spanish Town by the English. It isn’t called by this name today, though there are many other towns that have kept their Spanish names, e.g., Ocho Rios. Jamaica was the first country to sanction South Africa for its apartheid regime.


This country is home to 250 species of bird, one of the largest butterflies in the world, and the island cultivates one of the world’s rarest and expensive coffees: making it a prime location to travel to. Do you need consent for a child to travel without you? If so, please contact me via the options below because I am a Notary and I may be able to help.


The national dish of Jamaica is Ackee and Saltfish. Ackee is the tree of the soapberry family native to west Africa, widely cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions for its edible fruit. Salted codfish was introduced to Jamaica for enslaved people as a long-lasting and inexpensive protein source. Ackee and saltfish can be eaten with rice and peas. And the national drink of Jamaica is their Sorreal tea, which is spiced iced tea made from flowers (it is the Caribbean equivalent of Mulled Wine). It is a cooling and refreshing drink simmered with cinnamon sticks and orange peel, before being cooled and poured.


To conclude, I am a Notary, who has been practicing for 16 years, and I would urge you to get into contact with me if you require any of the services that I have mentioned in this blog post. Please see my website (Notary in Sheffield | England | StJohn Wright Notary Public) to find out more about me and what I can do to help you. Also, do not hesitate to call me on 07863252272.


Thank you for reading this thirteenth blog post on the ‘Flags of the World’. Look out for the next one about South Africa! Mi gaan!


 

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