Jamaica, Jamaica

Artist depiction of a plantation

Jamaican Independence

Jamaica has more than a few similarities to Wales. Both countries have a population of about 3 million; both have a large diaspora; both have stunning beaches, and both are famous for their love of music.

The name ‘Jamaica’ means ‘Land of Wood and Water’. Jamaica gained Independence in 1962. It had been a long and painful fight for equality, which was finally realised following the abolition of slavery, owing to the unbreakable spirit of people like Nanny of the Maroons and then the civil rights activism of people like Marcus Garvey. No wonder they are still considered national heroes in Jamaica. To understand the story of independence in Jamaica, you must go back to 1509, when the Spanish decided that Jamaica belonged to them. Their abuse of the indigenous people, the Arawak and Taino, left them decimated and on the verge of extinction. The Spanish answer to this? They began to kidnap West African people and force them into free labour. Neither group of people were subservient. It took a lot of manpower and weapons to colonise them. In 1655, the British saw the financial benefits of ‘owning’ Jamaica and didn’t spend much time defeating them and taking control. What followed was a brutal regime of human trafficking, torture, rape and working people to death.

This cruelty saw British people benefitting from stately homes and impressive buildings resulting from profits in sugar, rum, and exotic foods like pineapples. Welsh copper was used as currency to buy slaves. Welsh ironworks provided the canons for slave ships which killed hundreds of West Africans on their shores trying to save loved ones from being snatched. Some Welsh people were plantation and slave owners. From the start of British rule in Jamaica, there were those who managed to escape away from plantations and hide. As their numbers grew, they would up rise and free others. By 1728, these uprisings reached a height that took the British by surprise. White abolitionists are often highlighted as being instrumental in the ending of Jamaican slavery, but the truth is, they fought back and when it was no longer economically viable as a result, they abolished slavery in 1834. However, white British people remained in control of law making, property and economy.

It took another 100 years and an aggressive uprising for the British Government to take notice of the inequalities they had created. Through the 1950s, self-government increased, a cabinet of ministers was formed, and a prime minister elected. Finally, independence was gained in 1962. The British paid out millions in compensation, to slave traders and owners, but nothing to the victims. It is estimated that this means Britain still owes Jamaica and based on the payments they made in the mid-1800s, this should be in the region of 7.6 billion pounds. However, British Government has shown little interest in giving back any of the money they gained from forced free labour and theft. Today, Jamaica’s economy relies on tourism, farming, bauxite, to produce aluminium, and marijuana for pharmaceutical companies.

Jamaican Independence is celebrated in Jamaica and the diaspora every 6th August, but there are those who still feel that Jamaica would have been better off remaining under British rule. As a Welsh Jamaican, I can’t help but wonder what Welsh Independence would look like. We have resources that the rest of Britain values. Our water and green energy are certainly important, and, like Jamaica, we also rely heavily on tourism. Our starting point would not be recovering from slavery. I wonder?