The Colonial History of Jamaica Contributed by Tamekia Kentish. Jamaica was first colonized by a native group of South American origin who, in the early history of Jamaica, called their home a paradise of wood and water. The Amerindian peoples of Jamaica fall into two broad categories: the Ciboney and Arawak.The Ciboney, a name that translates to ‘cave dweller’ in the Arawak language, were less a single similar group of people, and more a way to describe the many primitive hunter peoples who migrated to the island from South and Central America. He also wrote two books which put Jamaica on the map, and much more contribution to his country than most men of his time. He had been sailing around the Caribbean for nearly a year when a storm beached his ships in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, on 25 June 1503. As each group of people came to Jamaica, they brought their own way of cooking, leaving their own delectable and indelible contribution to our culinary heritage. However, many of the Spaniards’ escaped slaves had formed communities in the highlands, and increasing numbers also escaped from British plantations. Cheap sugar cane was then becoming popular in Europe and the new settlers decided to take full advantage of these new developments by utilizing the island of Jamaica. Jamaica - Jamaica - British rule: In 1655 a British expedition under Admiral Sir William Penn and General Robert Venables captured Jamaica and began expelling the Spanish, a task that was accomplished within five years. E-mail. European Migration to Jamaica, i655-1780 Trevor Burnard Our political Arithmeticians imagine once in seven Years there is a Revolution of Lives in this Island, that as many die in that Space of Time as perfectly inhabit it; and no doubt the Multitude that dies would soon leave the Place a Desert, did not daily Recruits come over from Great Britain. The Tainos were the first recorded inhabitants of Jamaica. Comments. This occurred on his second voyage to the West Indies. Kingston, Jamaica |© Nigel Durrant/Flickr As the 20th century matured, modern building techniques and materials entered the country. The Arawak were there to greet Christopher Columbus when he arrived in Jamaica in 1494, beginning a long period of European colonization there. The first man to explore the John Crow mountains and helped to stamp out "Obeah" & "Voodo" that was a menace to the country's progress. Jamaica - Jamaica - Cultural life: Jamaica’s cultural development has been deeply influenced by British traditions and a search for roots in folk forms. He landed on the island on 5 May 1494, during his second voyage to the Americas. Jamaican culture is a product of the interaction between Europe and Africa. On May 5, 1494 Christopher Columbus, the European explorer, who sailed west to get to the East Indies and came upon the region now called the West Indies, landed in Jamaica. Jamaica Journal, 17, 4. p. 32-42. The Discovery of Jamaica. They settled here relatively peacefully until the beautiful Caribbean island saw its first European visitor - the Spaniards, in 1494. Give Us Your Feedback | Read what others had to say : Name. Some of these people arrived on the island as early as 5,000 BCE. What is now regarded as authentic Jamaican cuisine is an amalgam of foods from different cultures and people including Tainos, Africans, European, Chinese and Indians. Here's a look at the major ethnic groups which arrived in Jamaica: Tainos - came from South America around 600 AD.Very few descendants of Tainos remain on the island. Country. He also crossed the racial divide at that time by marring his 2nd black Jamaican wife. Columbus returned to Jamaica during his fourth voyage to the Americas. When did they come? Through European Eyes: Jamaica 200 years ago. Christopher Columbus is believed to be the first European to reach Jamaica. Photos courtesy of HEART/NTA Communications Unit. 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