African-style Houses at Seville Heritage Park Highlight Jamaica’s Ancestral Link to Africa

Two African-style houses constructed at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann by members of the Ghana Army Engineer Reconstruction Team are being hailed as a powerful symbol of Jamaica’s enduring cultural and historical ties with Africa.

The units comprise two traditional mud houses and an open kitchen area, complete with traditional cooking utensils that reflect aspects of African village life.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, explained that the structures represent more than physical buildings, emphasising that they reflect a deeper reconnection between Jamaica and its ancestral homeland.

She was speaking during an open house event at Seville Heritage Park on Friday (March 13), where the newly constructed houses were formally showcased.

Ms. Grange noted that the project arose from collaboration between Jamaica and Ghana, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which created opportunities for renewed engagement between the two nations.

“We have come together with our Ghanaian family and have been able to rekindle the flames of earlier relationships and rediscover the fraternity and solidarity of bonds that were never broken by the enslavers and colonisers,” the Minister said.

Ms. Grange also expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Ghana, as well as the Reconstruction Team, led by Colonel Emmanuel Asia, who supported Jamaica’s recovery efforts.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, underscored the significance of the partnership between Jamaica and Ghana, highlighting the contribution of the Ghana Army engineers to reconstruction efforts across affected communities.

“Jamaicans have benefited tremendously from the dedication and selfless service of your skilled engineers, carpenters, plumbers, welders, masons and medical team who worked tirelessly alongside the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). You have helped to restore not only shelter and comfort, but dignity and hope within affected families and their communities,” she said.

The Minister added that the collaboration reflects the shared history and deep cultural ties between Jamaica and Ghana.

“St. Ann, and Seville in particular, hosted some of the earliest encounters among indigenous people from the Americas, Europe and Africa,” Senator Johnson Smith pointed out.

Meanwhile, Colonel Asia explained that the construction of the African-style houses formed part of a special assignment undertaken by the Reconstruction Team during its deployment in Jamaica.

“Following the deployment of the Ghana contingent to Jamaica on December 18 by His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, we came with 54 soldiers from various professional and technical backgrounds,” he said.

Colonel Asia noted that the team collaborated closely with local heritage authorities to design and construct the houses, incorporating a blend of traditional African building methods and modern engineering techniques.

He explained that the team decided to amalgamate orthodox engineering with traditional technology, pointing out that the structures were designed to withstand Jamaica’s environmental conditions while preserving the architectural features of traditional African dwellings.

“We had to do some nominal reinforcements and anchor the structures to the ground so they would be able to withstand the environmental stresses,” Colonel Asia added.

He noted that the project was completed within a short timeframe, pointing out that the team was able to finish the work in a record 12 days.

The African-style houses form part of ongoing efforts to enhance the cultural and historical interpretation of Seville Heritage Park, one of Jamaica’s most significant heritage sites.

The location reflects the early interactions among the Taíno, Spanish, British, and African peoples, whose influences collectively helped shape Jamaican society.