There are some Jamaicans who contributed richly to the way of the country today, there contributions extend in many sectors and it is worth mentioning a few of these famous persons.
Marcus Garvey was born on August 17, 1887 in the parish of St. Ann. He travelled expansively around the world observing the social economic of black people. He started in his movement in 1914, which was called the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). He sought to provide help to small projects, protested against racial discrimination and strived to encourage the some form of upward mobility of black people all over the world. He was a well world renowned activist which led to him being imprisoned in the USA and was sent home to Jamaica.
He later left Jamaica again, but this time it was to England and this is where he died in the 1940, he was buried at the National Heroes Park, which is located in Kingston Jamaica. He was Jamaica’s first National Hero.
Louise Bennett (Miss Lou), the famous Jamaican poet, was born in the year 1919 in Kingston Jamaica. A true legend and icon, her name is a household name in life as well as in death, a real Jamaican patriarch. Miss Lou, as she is affectionately called, takes Jamaican folklore to great heights. She can be described as the poet who was not afraid of hitting the truth, true the Jamaica patois. Because of Miss Lou, the dialect of the ordinary Jamaica people was widely accepted and appreciated. Her contribution to Jamaica’s cultural heritage was of such that she was given numerous awards, the Norman Manley Award, M.B.E, The Musgrave Silver and Gold Medals, just to name a few. Her excellence was even recognized overseas as she won nomination for her poems. In the year 2001, she was honored for her contribution to the development of cultural arts and given the Order of Merit.
Bob Marley, hailed the ‘King of Reggae’. He was born Robert Marley, but is known all over the world as Bob Marley. This man made Reggae Music renowned internationally, he was a passionate singer, song writer and performer. His music was from the 1960’s through to the 1980’s, where he also did music forms of Rock Steady and Ska. Today his songs are known all over with the popular song “One Song” that is literally used as an anthem. His beliefs were expressed widely through his music, when you listen to his music, you will get that message of peace, equality, love and his strong spirituality. He was of the Rastafarian faith, which also propelled around the globe with his music, everyone fall in love with the “hair”. His album released in 1977, called Exodus was voted the greatest album of the Century and his song “One Love” voted the song of the 20th century. Bob Marley was also ordained with Order of Merit, for his excellence in the culture of Jamaica.
Born in Nine Miles, St. Ann in February 1945, this place is now one of the top attractions for visitors to the Island. He is the son of a black mother and a white father. The home is now a popular piece of Jamaica real estate. |