Flagaman...it's the hillside hamlet where we scoop up sweet melons and veggies by roadside.
But how did it get its name...like so many other descriptive monikers all around the island?
Could it be that there is a an historic hint of a "racial nature" that is sometimes whispered about in polite company?

The official version is that it was reportedly was named by a British Admiral Ebanks who settled above Great Bay, in an area then called Pedro Plains, and renamed it after his ship, the Flagaman Escania.

There are enough Ebanks family members around, who could probably corroborate this story, or possibly spin out another wonderfully fanciful one!

Gleaner Conjectures:
http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120310/western/western7.php

Jamaica’s Unusual Place Names:
http://keepitjiggy.com/other-good-info/jamaican-unusual-place-names

Flagaman, my hometown is known as the village of beauty, peace and quiet. With it's beautiful homes spaciously nestled among the rolling hills and plains, Flagaman is indeed that hidden gem waiting to be discovered. The majestic views of the ocean in the short distance and mountains in the background, gives Flagaman that ideal location that is yearned for. With fertile lands that produce much of Jamaica's vegetables, Flagaman matters but lacks the recognition it so richly deserves. Made up primarily of the Ebanks', Falconers', Stephensons', Blakes and Powells' these ambitious peoples have traveled to foreign lands, but many have returned home and for those like myself still abroad, Flagaman although out of sight is never out of mind.

I know I am a little off topic here but I could not help sharing this story. I was at a school some time ago and a particular student was giving the science teacher a hard time. He kept disrupting the class and the teacher became aggrivated. the teacher walked over to the student and asked him in a rough tone,' Boy, Where u come from?' The student replied, Flagaman' . The teacher then pulled the strap and walked up to the student saying, 'now watch me flag-a-man'.

i like that very funny

yep thats my home.....

My dear Flagaman once again, I saw a picture of you and misses you. In fact, I see you every time I turn on my computer, your picture is on my desktop Maybe it’s to make up for the missing years away from you, I am not sure.

You are not as famous as other Places but you sure make up for other things such as, the spectacular mountains, hills and colourful farms.
that odd melodic beat from your farming machinery so dignified and so in tune with the hearts of People like me.

You are where my father and mother were raised, where my family is buried, my ancestral home. You were the matchmaker, introducing my mother and father, and under your romantic skies, they fell in love, married and had me.
The very place I met and married my beautiful wife
I know eventually I will be coming to see you maybe for happiness maybe sadness After all, time passes generations aged, and loved ones have to be told farewell, sometimes for the last time.
But lets not dwell on that. After all, I have to come back. You stole my heart the day I was born. You are in my blood.
Miss you. I cannot wait to see you again next year.

Very beautiful Steve. Thank you for sharing such lovely sentiments.

Flagaman.
You are my home that's where my heart lies.
I wasn't born there, for I was only three years old when you became my world.
I spent the best part of my life all wrapped up in your beautiful sunshine and warm breeze its been two years since I saw you and I cant wait to feel your red dirt on my feet again.
I day dream of coming back home, where I belong.
I remain in love with you my dearest Flagaman

Flagaman

Like a picture postcard. Flagman’s beauty is captured- in my mind. The place is like no other, it feels like home with its vibrant colours that hold our scenery if only for a week or two. The terracotta of the ground, strange yet beautiful in contrast to the brilliant white of some of the houses. Mountains stretch over the scenery as if protecting it, completing the beauty of the place.

Flagaman. A place where you know every passerby and their parents. A place so relaxed I guarantee someone will join you putting your feet up outside. The beautiful place home to my parents is filled with life and colour. Tropical Pinks, blues, reds, yellows. The flowers, the houses, the buds in the trees even the dirt has a sense of colour making me feel alive again. Until I return to home. My home. England. Where everything is dull, dark and depressing.

Who knows the truth, but the story I got from more than one TB old timer was that, back in the day, black people come from mountain were not allowed in TB. So, if they tried to pass "Flog-a-mahn", den a floggin' dem ketch!

Go figure!

What color did the Treasure Beach People have, back in the days? My ancestors are black and they were/are from TB. Less we forget......if you have an ounce of black in you, you are considered black.

Contrary to popular belief, the name FLAGAMAN came about because of the competitive spirit of its people. During the days before cars and street lights when couples went to bed early, having the perfect family of thirteen, fourteen and fifteen children. There was a lot of activities taking place such as target shooting, horse racing, ketchy shevvy, rounders and dash to name a few.
Teams from other areas challenged local people. They would refer to winning the opponent as beating the men or flogging the men. "WE GWINE FLAG A MAN" hence the name FLAGAMAN. Sadly those days and games are long gone. Hope I've managed to shed some light on the name

Hi Steve,

You address yourself as a very educated,delightful person,someone to be proud of when you talk about your home town Flagaman.

Well my father is also from Flagaman and from my understanding growing up as a child it was very hard for me to go visit my Grandparents because I did not want my feet turning red,so I would cry pretending I was having a stomach ache or headache so my mother would keep me home.

I can say this much there are many Ebanks living there and all around Treasure Beach and I am fortunate to be one of them.
Maybe we are cousins because we are all related in one way or the other.
They use to say the Royal Family...have you ever heard that saying? Family kept it in the family.

Well I myself left Treasure Beach and went off to school, then the big city, then started my travels.
I have visited your present country England and to say it in a way not to hurt anyones' feelings I did not like it. Like you said,for me the sky was always grey,always rain,always depressing. At least in the winter months seeing that was the time of year I visited.

Steve I'm proud of you loving your Flagaman just as I'm proud of myself loving my Treasure Beach but at the end of the day we are all one Ebanks family "most likely cousins".

God Bless.

I have visited TB for at least 20 years. I always try to find a late afternoon to visit Flagaman and have a couple of Red Stripes just sitting on one of the stoops. It is just relaxing and fun. Jerry

Thank you Just Ebanks for your kind comments. I too came here during the winter.
As we descended over London, I thought the city was on fire, every house
was smoking I had never seen a chimney before. The unfamiliar climate, food, dress, social values and behaviour what a shock, but I stayed

Little did I know the sacrifices that would have to be made just to survive in this harsh university of life, yet so many people from around the world rush to these shores. People like my Father, due to extenuating circumstances had never managed to see the blue skies of Jamaica again.

Treasure beach was the birthplace of many of my family others from Flagaman now reside there.
So I would not be surprised if we are related. I do have great love and respect for treasure beach and its people, after all my family blood is flowing freely in many veins throughout the area.

Below is a video I made some years ago, I am the chef dressed in blue shirt and white shorts …….you may have to copy and paste the link below
Soon I will be sitting in Carol Gordon’s bar, can’t wait for next week
God bless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tWr6BlYfWM

Really nice Steve! I could play it over and over again - and the song is just right.