JNHT to Stage Several Activities for Heritage Month

The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) has planned a stacked calendar of events that showcase Jamaica’s rich and diverse heritage and culture, in celebration of Heritage Month in October, under the national theme ‘Resilient People with a Proud Heritage’.

Public Relations and Marketing Officer at the JNHT, Tamika Clough, told JIS News that customarily, activities for heritage month involve outreach with a focus on built and material heritage.

She noted that this year will differ in that it will highlight the history, culture, and contributions of all the different nationalities that came to Jamaica.

“It’s a month-long programme designed to engage the public in Jamaica’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. We have various days that we dedicate to the different [cultures] and explore their place within the Jamaican story,” Mrs. Clough said.

The programme begins on Thursday, October 1, with ‘Adventures in Time: Books That Bring Heritage to Life’, targeting primary and secondary-school children and exploring Caribbean literature and the recording of heritage through stories.

“The setting is Devon House [and] persons can come and enjoy book reading on that day, storytelling, and just interact with the various authors. There’s a book exchange on that day as well. JNHT staff will be bringing in books, and we encourage the public to come and bring books to exchange,” Mrs. Clough said.

On October 2, ‘Mek Wi Play Ring Ding’ will celebrate Jamaica’s play heritage by exploring play from the days of the Taino, the period of enslavement and the archaeological discovery of dolls and similar objects.

Mrs. Clough pointed out that the event responds to aspects of the country’s play heritage that are disappearing.

Workshops will include kite making, gig making, box-truck making and slingshot making.

Participants may also play marbles, ‘laskit’, ‘dandy-shandy’ and ring games.

“Many children don’t know ring games because we have moved from outdoor play to electronic games. We’re losing out on that level of interaction, and that is what we will be exploring,” she said.

On October 5, ‘From East Indies to West Indies’ will focus on Indian culture, how Indians made Jamaica their home and India’s influences on Jamaica.

Displays are expected from the Indian High Commission and the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ).

The geospatial information system (GIS), showing how Jamaica looks on the map, how it used to look and how GIS is used will be the focus on October 7.

Mapping will illustrate how Jamaica’s heritage has changed over decades and centuries because of natural disasters, earthquakes and hurricanes.

October 9 will feature ‘Back to Africa’ and ‘Jamaica Boom’, the launch concert.

“On this day, we’re going to show African retention in Jamaica. We’ve engaged the Nigerian High Commission, IOJ, the Rastafari Institute [and] the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica (ACIJ)…who will come on board to bring Africa to life,” said Mrs. Clough.

On October 12, ‘Enter the Dragon: The Rise of the Chinese in Jamaica’ will focus on Chinese influence in Jamaica.

“What we want to emphasise for people is that all these nationalities are not separate and apart from the Jamaican experience, it is a part of the Jamaican experience,” Mrs. Clough said.

The event will showcase Chinese influence on food, supermarket culture, shopping and music.

On October 14, ‘Taino World: Xamayca Before Jamaica’ will be the focus for October 14 at the Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann alongside the Seville Heritage Expo where visitors may tour the museum’s Taino exhibit.

Jamaica’s recorded heritage in film will be in the spotlight on October 16 for ‘Reel Jamaica’.
Mrs. Clough said films preserve views of Jamaica’s built heritage, lifestyle and experiences, including places that no longer exist or may have deteriorated.

“We want to show people the Jamaica that was [and] to let [people] know that we are an evolving nation, and we continue to grow,” she said.

On October 23, ‘Dung a Town’ will celebrate the marketplace and its role in Jamaican culture.

“We want to celebrate our existing and continuing trend of the marketplace and using agriculture and commerce to uplift ourselves. Things will be on sale…and we’re encouraging persons to come and buy,” Mrs. Clough urged.

On October 27, ‘Two Empires, One Island’ at Port Royal will showcase how the Spanish and British empires caused a shift in Jamaica’s governance and their influence on the country.

The calendar concludes on October 30 with ‘Shalom Jamaica’, which will explore Jewish heritage in Jamaica at the Shalom Synagogue, 92 Duke Street.

“They will be showcasing their culture and talking about the influence of the Jewish community on Jamaica in terms of real estate, in terms of commerce as well. The first Jews were merchants, and they’re going to bring that out and highlight, even today, how much of that continues,” said Mrs. Clough.

All activities are free of cost with the JNHT also offering 50 per cent off tours in Kingston on October 21, 26 and 27 at their Headquarters House at 79 Duke Street, the Bustamante Museum at 24 Tucker Avenue and the National Heroes Park.