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JAMAICAN
PLACE NAMES
Jamaica
has a unique mixture of place names which oftentimes offer
insights to its eventful and interesting past. While some
place names may be practical and indicate location or topography
of land, others reflect traditional sayings. The name Jamaica,
for example, is originated from the Taino word ‘Xaymaca’
which means ‘land of wood and water.’
Here are some examples of interesting place names in Jamaica:-
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“I-No-Call-You-No-Come” in the Cockpit Country
of St. Elizabeth which means don’t call us we’ll
call you! This is said to describe the attitude of the Maroons
in their exclusive communities such as Accompong Town.
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“Labour-in-Vain Savannah” in St. Elizabeth.
Because of seldom rainfall farmers were often left uncertain
as to whether or not they would be able to reap their crops.
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“Blackness” in Trelawny. This refers to the
colour of the soil found there. The colour is said to indicate
the richness of the soil as is the case of the red earth
in other parts of the island.
The
following are places with misleading names:-
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“Save Rent” near Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland.
It was rendered as the surname of a Frenchman, F.E.N. Saverent.
This is not a place to live cheap.
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“Danks” in Clarendon was known as “Danke.”
Sir Henry Morgan, former Governor of the island, was the
owner until he gave it to his wife of German nationality.
She said danke meaning ‘thanks’ in German.
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“Tan-an-See” in Trelawny. This phrase means
“stand and see” referring to the view of the
beautiful open land. There is a cliff over looking the landscape.
Some
place names speak of family history:-
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“Nun’s Pen” in St. Andrew was known as
“Islington” and “Moringa Park”.
It was once owned by a Haitian Refugee named Henri D’Aquin.
Two of his daughters were determined to be trained as nuns.
He decided to give the land the Roman Catholic Church and
from that time it has been known as “Nuns Pen”
Some
names are historical markers:-
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“Judgment Cliff” in St. Thomas. During the great
1692 earthquake, a part of the cliff fell on the estate
of a notoriously wicked Dutchman and buried him alive.
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“Corn Puss Gap” in St. Thomas. It is said that
some hiker got lost in the hills caught a cat, “corned”
it and ate it there.
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“Flog Man” in Manchester. Legend has it that
a man was severely flogged here. Usually punishment could
be applied to wrongdoers without appealing to the law.
References
Sibley,
K. Inez “Dictionary of Place-Names in Jamaica”
The Institute of Jamaica, 1978
The
Daily Gleaner “What’s in a name” May 5,
2003
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