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How Do We Honour Our National Heroes In Jamaica?

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national_heroes_of_jamaicaHow Do We Honour Our National Heroes In Jamaica?

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Can you imagine where we would be today as a people, as a country, without the sacrifices, the strength and the courage of our national heroes? Just the thought of such an existence, makes me shudder. I don’t think we can ever truly do justice in honouring them, it will never be “enough” for what they have done for us. But we do our best or what we can. So here are 6 ways we honour our national heroes in Jamaica.

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1. National Heroes Day

This would be the most obvious one right? Annually the third Monday in October is recognised as National Heroes Day. It is a public holiday where we are dedicated to celebrating the people who fought for us and ultimately our freedom. It’s part of our Heroes’ Weekend, a time when we are meant to reflect on the efforts of our national heroes.

  • Marcus Garvey: Advocate for Black empowerment and the Pan-African movement.
  • Nanny of the Maroons: Fierce freedom fighter who led Maroon communities against British forces.
  • Sir Alexander Bustamante: One of Jamaica’s first prime ministers and a leader in workers’ rights.
  • Norman Manley: Founder of the People’s National Party (PNP) and champion of independence.
  • Paul Bogle: Key leader in the Morant Bay Rebellion.
  • George William Gordon – Advocate for the poor and social reformer.
  • -Samuel Sharpe: Led the Christmas Rebellion, playing a role in ending slavery.

On this day, we have parades, flag-raising ceremonies, concerts, and church services to honour their efforts and the impact they had on shaping our nation.

2. Statues and Monuments

In many parts of Jamaica, you’ll find statues and monuments standing tall in honour of these heroes. The National Heroes Park in Kingston (our capital city) is the central location where statues of all seven heroes are displayed. It’s a serene place, encouraging reflection and national pride.

  • The Marcus Garvey Monument stands as a symbol of the global influence he had on Black pride.
  • Nanny's statue in Moore Town, Portland, reminds Jamaicans of the Maroons' unrelenting fight for freedom.
  • In Morant Bay, St. Thomas, a monument commemorates Paul Bogle and the rebellion that challenged social injustice.

3. Incorporation into the School Curriculum

From a young age, we are taught about our national heroes and their importance. I’m talking about as young as basic and infant school, about age 4.

Our Schools often hold essay competitions, debates, and dramatic reenactments of historical events, helping our children understand and connect with the stories of people like Samuel Sharpe and George William Gordon. Just before they break for Heroes weekend, they celebrate Heritage Day, where they get to dress up in traditional clothing, like the bandana.

4. Currency and Public Institutions

We also honour our national heroes by featuring their portraits on our money. For example:

  • Images of the late former prime ministers Edward Seaga and Michael Manley are on the new $2,000 notes.
  • Hugh Shearer and Donald Sangster, both former prime ministers, are on the updated $5,000 notes.
  • Norman Manley and Sir Alexander Bustamante, national heroes and founding fathers, are featured prominently on the enhanced $1000 notes.
  • Sam Sharpe and Nanny of the Maroons share the upgraded $500 notes.
  • National heroes Paul Bogle and George William Gordon share the enhanced $50 notes.
  • Marcus Garvey, Jamaica's first national hero, is the only figure on the updated $100 notes.

There are public buildings, streets, and institutions across the island that are named after our heroes as well. For example places like Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston and Bustamante Hospital for Children.

5. Art, Music, and Festivals

Jamaican artists frequently pay tribute to national heroes through murals, sculptures, and songs. Garvey’s teachings, for instance, are deeply rooted in reggae music, with many artists like Bob Marley referencing his philosophy of self-empowerment in their lyrics.

Festivals like the Maroon Festival in Accompong and other cultural events highlight the lasting influence of the heroes through music, dance, and oral traditions. These events serve as a reminder of how our history continues to inspire new generations.

Honouring national heroes is something we do with pride and joy because as a nation we fully recognize the privileges we hold today, at their expense. Whether it’s through our holidays, monuments, festivals or songs we will continue to celebrate our heroes in ways that keep their legacies alive. It’s the least we can do.

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References & Sources For How Do We Honour Our National Heroes In Jamaica

  1. Jamaica Currency | Exchange Rate, Its History, Denominations and more. (n.d.). My-Island-Jamaica.com. https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/jamaica_currency.html
  2. Jamaica, S., & Jamaica, S. (2024, October 18). Honouring Our Heroes: A Journey Through the Lives of Jamaica’s National Heroes - Showcase Jamaica. Showcase Jamaica. https://myshowcasejamaica.com/honouring-our-heroes-a-journey-through-the-lives-of-jamaicas-national-heroes/

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