1. This town clock's tower was paid for by one of Jamaica's German settlers and he designed it to look like a German (Prussian)soldier's helmet.

Lucea.


2. Where was the first place in Jamaica to have electricity?

Black River. It was installed by the Leyden family in their house in 1893. The house is now Waterloo Guest House at 44 High Street.


3. Who said "I would rather die in yonder gallows than be a slave another day" ?

Sam Sharpe.


4. Who said "The monster is dead. The negro is free" and where did he say it?

William Knibb, midnight on August 1st 1838 in Falmouth . He was preaching in what is now the William Knibb Memorial Church .


5. Where in Jamaica had piped water before New York City did?

Falmouth. A 20 foot water wheel was installed in 1799 on lands at Martha Brae, which was turned by the current of the stream and emptied about 100 gallons of water per revolution into a wooden trough approximately 20 feet elevation. A six-inch main carried the water for about a mile into a large tank in the town square of Falmouth . The town square is still called "Water Square" as a result.


6. Who was the first black Custos of St. Andrew and what famous edifice did he build?

George Steibel. Devon House in 1881.


7. What is "Zella" ?

Another name for nine-night. (The term may be unique to Portland however) It may be a derivative of zeli, the word for drum in Ewe, one of the Kwa languages of Ghana .


8. What is the tea made from Love Bush good for?

Colic, asthma and "mirasmi."


9. Who declared that he would ascend to heaven on December 31st and descend back to Jamaica on January 3rd?

Alexander Bedward.


10. What would traditional midwives in days gone by put on a baby's navel after the umbilical cord was cut? A dressing made of castor oil and nutmeg


11. What would she put in the water for the baby's first bath ?

Rum and a silver coin. Tradition holds that the father should provide the coin.


12. What would the child be "marked" with for protection?

Laundry blue or "coolie red" (carmine)


13. You can burn these leaves to keep away duppy.

Croton. (aka Rosemary)


14. What animals, now died out, were brought to Jamaica in the 18th century to carry sugar ?

Camels.


15. What is another name for "Halifax Mutton".

Saltfish. Originally a cheap source of protein imported from Nova Scotia for enslaved labourers, many members of the planter class referred to it by this name while enjoying it as much as their slaves did.


16. What is a cotta ?

A pad of leaves or cloth placed under loads carried on the head.


17. Why would you place a broom upside down behind a door in your house?

To make an unwanted guest go away.


18. Solas Market became Jubilee Market. What was its name before that?

There are currently 4 main markets in Kingston : Jubilee, Queens, Redemption Ground and Coronation. Solas market was previously known as Chiggerfoot Market. Chiggers used to be a common complaint amongst slaves who rarely wore shoes. After emancipation, the term chiggerfoot eventually came to be applied to poor people. Several markets had this name, both in and outside of Kingston .


19. What is the heart of a soursop said to cure?

Bed wetting.


20. What is a thunderball (or thunderbolt) and what is it used for?

Any smooth stone found in a field. They used to be put in earthenware containers of water to keep it cool. Known in other islands as
"thunderstone" or "lightening stone", they are traditionally believed to have fallen from the sky and used to be of religious significance. The ones found in Jamaica have been identified as Taino in origin. (There were no Arawaks in Jamaica. They were Tainos)


21. What is pinda cake made of ?

Sesame seeds and peanuts.


22. What are senseh fowls good for?

They will unearth any guzu buried in your yard. Also used to chase mongoose.


23. What is "Pickni Christmas" ?

Easter celebrations. So called because they were the only celebration, other than Christmas, that slaves were allowed to participate in. It was shorter and less elaborate however as the name implies.


24. If you dream about a doctor what number should you play in Drop Pan?

18


25. What do salt, limes, garlic cloves, a pair of scissors and wangla have in common ?

They can be used as guzu to guard against evil.


Bonus Question: The first commercially marketed oral contraceptive pills were derived from a species of this popular staple of the Jamaican
diet.

Yam


Please be reminded that I did not compose these myself.

Anytime someone puts up another's work on this web site (or any other, for that matter) it is common courtesy to cite the original author. It may also prevent some legal problems.

Pedro Peeps, please post the original author's name.

Thank you very much for the information, TB net. With due respect I must say that I am aware of the consequences of Plagiarism, but this is not the work of one individual. This is a compilation of different historical and cultural aspects of the Jamaican society. It was sent to me by an e-mail buddy and I thought it would be nice to share it with my ‘Peeps’. If this is not allowed then please delete it and in future I will not forward anymore of these articles.

Pedro:

All we're looking for is a valid citation of who authored the work. What you put in your second post covers it.

Thanks for posting the interesting info.

I like that postings, I heard some of them from older folks in the days, some I didn't know of.

Thanks Pedro Peeps.

How about saving these and any more posted in the history section of TBnet webkeepers?