Grade 6 Social Studies - Jamaica: Our Heritage and Culture

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National Bird

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Doctor Bird

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What is nationhood?

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Being independent and separate nation. the fact of being a nation (= a country with its own government, language, traditions, etc.)

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What is an emblem?

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It is a national symbol that represents any national community. Including independent sovereign states, such as Jamaica, dependent countries and ethnic and cultural communities. Such symbols are sometimes called emblems. So, an emblem is a national symbol that is unique to a country.

National symbols of Jamaica are: the flag, the anthem, the coat of arms, the national pledge, the motto and sometime national colours, plants and animals

National symbols usually reflect a countries values and its uniqueness, its history and things that makes us proud

The third national emblem of Jamaica is the coat of arms.

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The Flag meaning

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a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities

At independence on August 6, 1962 the British Flag, the Union Jack, was lowered and the Jamaican flag was first raised at the national stadium.

Committees from both national parties were the ones who designed the flag. A competion for a design proved fruitless as none seemed as good.

The colours of the flag:

The cross like an X is in gold, the top and bottom triangles are green and the side triangles are black.

The black: Strength and creativity of our people

The green: symbolises the lush vegetation and agricultural resources of Jamaica

The Gold: Stands for natural wealth and beauty of the sunshine

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The Jamaican National Anthem

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Our national Anthem is a song created for our nation to identify us.

Our national anthem was created by the Reverend Honourable Hugh Sherlock and Honourable Robert Lightbourne and the music was composed by the Honourable Lightbourne, Mapletoft Poulle and Mrs. Poulle. It was first sung in 1962

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The Jamaica coat of arms

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It shows a male and a female Taino standing on either side of a sheild. The red cross on the sheild with a white background is similar to the English flag. On the red cross there are five pineapples, the design on the sheild is called a bearing. On the crest is a Jamaican crocodile on top of the British Royal Helm. The Jamaican motto, 'Out of Many One People' is written at the base.

These symbols represent Jamaica except for the British Royal Helm, which shows our colonial History.

The pineapples are indigenous fruits of Jamaica. The Tainos represent the first settlers and the crocodile is an indigenous species of animal found in Jamaica.

The Jamaican coat of arms appears on all our bank notes and coins and on national documents. It is used as the official seal of the government.

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Changes made to the Jamaican coat of arms

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The coat of arms was changed several times before we became an independent nation. As a British colony of Jamaica we had different coat of arms.

The original one was granted by King Charles ll of England in 1662 and was designed by William Sandcroft, Archbishop of Canterbury. We have no record or picture of that

The original motto of the first coat of arms was Indus Uterque Serviet Uno in Latin meaning 'In service of one master'

Changes made to Jamaica's coat of arms

In 1875 to 1906, the coat of arms had only the crocodile, the helmet and the pineapples inside a circle with the red cross

In 1906 the Tainos and the Jamaican motto were added with the crocodile standing on a log

In 1957, the helmet and mantling representing a legacy from Britain were added

In 1962 at independence, the gold colour was added to the motto

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Facts about the coat of arms

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The coat of arms has 4 features:

• * The arms or sheild

• * A crest above the sheild

• * the supporters on each side of the sheild

• * A motto

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What is a Motto?

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A motto is a short sentence or phrase that states the rule or belief that a group tries to live by.

Jamaica's motto is 'Out of Many One People' which means that though there are many ethnic groups in our population we are all one people.

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What is Jamaica's national pledge

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A pledge is a commitment or promise made by an individual made to do and abide by something

Jamaica's national pledge is recited at functions and devotions. We are making a promise before God to do our best in making Jamaica and the world a better place.

The National Pledge

Before God and all mankind, I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart, the wisdom and courage of my mind, the strength and vigour of my body in the service of my fellow citizens; I promise to stand up for Justice, Brotherhood and Peace, to work diligently and creatively, to think generously and honestly, so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.

Jamaica's National School song

I pledge my heart forever
To serve with humble pride
This shining homeland, ever
So long as earth abide
I pledge my heart, this island
As God and faith shall live
My work, my strength, my love, and
My loyalty to give.

O green isle of the Indies,
Jamaica, strong and free,
Our vows and loyal promises,
O heartland, ’tis to thee