The green, gold and black colours of the Jamaican flag will be waved high as members of Cayman’s Jamaican community gear up to celebrate 63 years of independence with a packed weekend of events.
With thousands of Jamaican nationals now calling Cayman home, Jamaica’s Independence Day is celebrated in the Cayman Islands each year. The festivities recognise Jamaica’s independence from Britain on 6 Aug. 1962.
Cayman, formerly an outpost of British colonial Jamaica, broke its administrative ties with Jamaica at that time but has maintained long-standing cultural links with the neighbouring Caribbean nation.
Elaine Harris, the honorary consul for the Jamaican Consulate, said the celebrations in Cayman are very important.
“It’s not just celebrating the history of the countries, but it’s also great when you can celebrate the different nationalities here in Cayman and let them know that they are part of the community and [recognise] the positive contributions that they are making,” she said.
“Whilst this occasion is focusing on Jamaica, I look forward to seeing more of that, instead of any divisive sort of rhetoric.”
Weather permitting, Harris said, “We look forward to persons coming out and celebrating with us.”
Harris also confirmed the Jamaican Consulate will close through 6 Aug., in observance of the celebrations.
Schedule of events
The Cayman celebrations this year will kick-off on Jamaica’s Emancipation Day, Friday, 1 Aug., the day in 1834 when the British Parliament passed the bill to abolish slavery in all British colonies.
There will be food vendors on Compass Green during the day, showcasing Jamaica’s cuisine.
Evening activities will include a family-friendly showcase for all age groups, with cultural displays, such as traditional dance, music, entertainment and food, as well as prizes and giveaways.
The festivities will also feature entertainment from one of Jamaica’s popular dance groups, Voicemail, as well as Cayman’s up-and-coming artist Leah GC.
On Saturday, there will be a gospel concert, also on Compass Green, featuring a host of music performances by Cayman’s finest gospel singers, including lead performers Joan Flemmings and Alex Soulz.
Co-organiser Dwayne Euter of Clarity Entertainment said, the gospel concert is more than just music: “It’s a reflection of who we are as a nation, and a reminder that even in foreign lands, we carry our faith with us.”
He added, “As Jamaicans here in the Cayman Islands celebrate our independence, we choose to set aside one special night to give thanks and praise to God for His constant protection and grace over our people.”
On Sunday, the Jamaican Consulate, Cayman Islands will host a church service of thanksgiving at 8am at St. George’s Anglican Church in George Town.
Everyone is invited and all events are free.
Co-organiser Banny Stephens said the celebrations, which have been marked for 22 years in Cayman, are a “time for celebration and as the motto says, ‘Out of Many, One People’. We want everyone to be part of it.
“There will be a lot of celebrations throughout Jamaica, and for those living here that are away from home, we want to bring a little bit of that celebration, and we want to involve Jamaicans and friends of Jamaicans to be part of it.”
‘Emancipation Day is deeply personal’
In an Emancipation Day message to the nation, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted the day holds significance, not only for Jamaica but for the entire world.
“The abolition of slavery was not merely a historical event; it was a seismic moral awakening. It marked a decisive turning point when an institution, once regarded as lawful, even natural, was confronted and condemned as a crime against humanity.”
Beyond its global relevance, the prime minister said, “Emancipation Day is deeply personal for us as a people. For Jamaicans, it is not an abstract milestone. It is the hard-won triumph of our ancestors who endured the unspeakable horrors of slavery on plantations, in pens, and under the lash. It is the declaration that those who were once regarded as property were, and had always been, fully human, fully worthy, and fully free.”
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