Did you know that Jamaica has German history? Their numbers were significantly smaller compared to other European immigrants, but they are still a visible minority group thanks to The Jamaican German Society which works closely with the German Embassy in Kingston. Today, German isn’t spoken in Jamaica nor taught in Jamaican schools or universities but it’s still possible to enjoy a taste of Germany in Jamaica as the two countries have an intertwined history and diplomatic ties. In commemoration of Oktoberfest, today I’ll share five facts about German legacy in Jamaica.
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1. German Settlers Came to Jamaica.
There were several German planters in Jamaica before Emancipation as this translated letter reveals, but the most significant German settlement in Jamaica began post-Emancipation during the bountied European immigration scheme. Under this scheme, Germans, among other Europeans, were imported to fill the labour shortage created by the abolition of slavery in Jamaica. This scheme commenced in May 1834 with the arrival of 64 Germans after a 108-day journey by ship from the town of Bremen. They were recruited by the brother of Mr. Solomon Myers, the German Jewish owner of a coffee estate in what’s now part of the Portland parish. They settled near Buff Bay in a district which became known as Bremen Valley, but most quickly left the estate as soon as they could to settle in other parts of the island.
Subsequent German migrants to Jamaica followed a similar route, leaving agriculture behind for domestic work in the towns. By 1841, the European Immigration policy was deemed a failure which led Jamaica to look to other countries for cheap labour– namely India and China. Nonetheless, the thousands of Germans who came to Jamaica during these seven years were enough to establish a small German presence in Jamaica.
Fun Fact: The former owner of Devon House and Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel, was born to a German-Jewish father and his housekeeper of African descent.
2. Jamaica Has A Few German Place Names.
Following the abolition of slavery, Jamaican planters not only feared that they would be left without a labour force but that the liberated African descendants would flee to the island’s mountainous interior. At that time, Jamaica’s mountainous interior was already occupied by runaway slaves called Maroons who sometimes wreaked havoc on the plantations, adding to the planters’ fears. In order to deny the liberated Africans that choice, the planters concocted an immigration scheme to populate the island’s mountains with Europeans. The Germans were ideal because they were required to serve in the military back home and thus would come armed with rifles.
As a result, many German settlers were sent to Jamaica’s mountains and now these town names reflect their German past. These townships and hamlets include Manhertz Gap, Charlotten-burgh, Mount Holstein, Bremen Valley, New Brunswick and Hessen Castle, among others. There is a German Town in Trelawny and over the years, Germans were also found in Alexandria, Christiana, Brown’s Town, Stewart Town and Ulster Spring.
3. Seaford Town
Perhaps the most notable German settlement in Jamaica which came out of Indentureship is Seaford Town in Westmoreland. Known interchangeably as German Town, Seaford Town had less contact with neighbouring towns compared to other German settlements in Jamaica, hence it has the strongest German retentions in Jamaica to this day.
A few blue-eyed and blond-haired descendants with thick Jamaican accents can be found in Seaford Town today. Their German surnames have disappeared due to integration with Jamaicans from African and Asian descent, and they don’t speak German the way their ancestors did. Nonetheless, some 160 people of German descent still reside in Seaford Town. Their history is preserved in a small museum located within the town’s 500 acres of land. If you have time, check out this recent informative documentary about Seaford Town.
4. Oktoberfest in Jamaica
Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Munich, Germany, which typically runs from late September to the first weekend in October. It originated in 1810 as a celebration of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage and has evolved into a world-famous event which celebrates Bavarian culture and beer. Millions of visitors gather in Munich each year to enjoy traditional German cuisine, music, folk dress and beer from local breweries. However, if you happen to be in Jamaica during that time of year, check out our local Oktoberfest instead.
Hosted by the Jamaican German Society in an effort to promote German culture and language locally, Oktoberfest in Jamaica took a hiatus during the pandemic but returned in 2022 at its usual venue: the Alhambra Inn in Kingston. Last year’s admission was $4000jmd per person, and included free beer all night. The one-day event usually boasts German cuisine, over one dozen German beers, Bavarian music, games, prizes and surprises. Oktoberfest in Jamaica is usually the culmination of German Week where open-house events are held each night at the Society’s Headquarters on 5 East Avenue in Kingston to screen German films with English subtitles. Check out their social media pages for the full line-up of events every October.
5. German Film Night at GATFEST
The GATFFEST Film Festival originated from the Greater August Town Film Project, now rebranded as the UWI Community Film Project. GATFFEST was created in 2013 as an opportunity for graduates to showcase the films that were produced during their training, alongside the work of independent international filmmakers. Over the past decade, the festival has grown from a 3-day to an 8-day festival, and receives numerous international and local submissions of short films and documentaries each year. One international staple on GATFFEST’s line-up is German film night where at least one German short film is screened. GATFFEST is a great way to network and connects stakeholders in tourism and academia with the film industry.
Wrap Up
While the German influence in Jamaica’s history is not as significant as other colonial powers, it’s still important to acknowledge their contribution in shaping the island’s diverse heritage. Did you know about all these German influences in Jamaica? Perhaps it explains why we share such good diplomatic relations and enjoy a weekly direct flight to and from both countries. Talk to me in the comments below. 🙂
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