At the end of September 1961, the government held a competition (entries)
for a National Anthem for independent Jamaica. Initially, the entry chosen was
“Jamaica Proud we Stand” composed by
Bandmaster Edward Wade of the West India Regiment. However, because of his
English nationality it was later rejected. The
words
of the Rev. Hugh Sherlock and the music of Robert Lightbourne were then
selected. The Committee then employed Mapletoft Poulle and his wife to polish
the composition. The Poulles also added at the end “Jamaica, Jamaica land we
love.”
The Joint Committee of the Houses of Parliament was responsible for making the
final selection of the National Anthem and after
eager debate, approved the resolution which was put to it.
Click here to view
the 1962 entries for National Anthem.
THE NATIONAL FLAG
Like the anthem,
public suggestions
were solicited through a competition. Starting from a basis of about 23
colours it was narrowed down to 3. It was decided by the
Independence Celebrations Committee that the flag must have black;
yellow was then added for brightness. Choosing the third colour was the
challenge. Half of the parliamentary committee wanted blue while others
did not want any colour from the Union Jack; green was thus chosen.
Artists were employed to sketch different configuration for combining
the black, green and gold. A horizontal striped flag with two narrow
gold stripes with black and green in between was selected and approved
by the College of Heralds on London. After which it was discovered that
Tanganyika (Tanzania) had just passed the same flag. It was based on a
suggestion of Florizel Glasspole that the diagonal yellow lines were
selected.
Click here to view
the 1962 entries for National Flag.
NATIONAL TREE, FLOWER, BIRD, FRUIT
Selection
of the National Flower, Tree, Fruit and Bird
Click
thumbnails for larger views.
The National Flower, Tree, Fruit and Bird, unlike the flag and anthem
were selected by a committee and not through public competition. With
the approval of Cabinet a Select Committee, consisting of the
President of the Jamaica Horticultural Society, Mr. G. H. Scott, O. B.
E., Mrs. Edna Manley, Mr. Bernard Lewis, O. B. E., Director of the
Institute of Jamaica, Mr. G. R. Proctor, Botanist at the Science Museum
and Mr. V. R. James, Superintendent of Public Gardens was
constituted for the purpose of choosing the flower..
The Jamaica Horticultural Society recommended the LIGNUM VITAE for
approval by the National Flower Committee. The recommendation was
adopted by the Select Committee. The National Flower Committee was then
asked to make recommendation for the tree, bird and fruit. Their
suggestions that the National Tree should be the BLUE MAHOE, the
National Fruit the ACKEE, and the National Bird the DOCTOR BIRD or
Swallow-tail Humming Bird were accepted.
