FACTS ON JAMAICA

 

Size – 4,411 square miles. Length – 146 miles. Width – 22-51 miles.

Capital City – Kingston

Population at July 2000 – 2,605,800

Average Temperature – 82f

Climate – Tropical, Hot, Humid.

Region  - West Indies.

Money – The money in Jamaica is called Jamaican Dollars (JMD). 1 Jamaican dollar is equal to about 40 US dollars.

 

Religion – The majority of Jamaicans are Christian. Children learn about God and the bible at school.

 

Flag – Jamaican flag was adopted August 6th 1962

Explanation of colours of flag. The green represents the land and stands for hope and agriculture, the black for hardship overcome and to be faced, and the yellow for the natural resources and the beauty of sunlight.

 

Some things Jamaica is well known for – Blue Mountain Coffee, The Jamaican Bobsled team, Reggae Music and Bob Marley, Jerk Sauce.

 

Head of State – The head of state is the governor-general, who is appointed by the monarch of England.

Head of Government – The head of government in Jamaica is the Minister who is elected by the Jamaican people. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives.

 

Language – The official language of Jamaica is English, spoken in proper fashi Jamaican accent. But the language of everyday is Patois (Pat-wa) a combination of English, Spanish, Portuguese.

 

Patois                                                                        English

Ello dere                                                                     Hello there

Ketch yuh layta                                                          Catch you later

Whey yuh a sey                                                         How is it going

Ow ole yuh is                                                 How old are you

Mi Fren                                                                       My Friend

Mada                                                                          Mother

Fada                                                                           Father

Nyam                                                                          Eat

Likkle                                                                          Little

Ax                                                                                Ask

Bwoy                                                                           Boy

Gal                                                                              Girl

 

 

 

 

Jamaica Evening

This Programme is part of the Friendship Challenge Badge

 

 

6.0             Coming In - Colour Flag

 

Game -  Bean Bag Toss

Popular game played by children in Jamaica.  For the colony can be played in teams.  Each team is given a bean bag. First Beaver in each team faces backwards and sees who can throw their beanbag the furthest. Each Beaver has a turn, points awarded and added up.

Alternatively if your HQ are too small play team style with a bucket in front of each team. Each Beaver in the team and 3 throws to see you gets the most beanbags in the bucket. Points awarded.

 

6.15         Opening Ceremony explain about Theme

 

6.25         Craft  - Fruit Monsters / Animals

A selection of cut up fruit and cocktails sticks given to each lodge. This is the chance for Beavers to be creative and make weird and wonderful creations.

The craft can be made of cheaper fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges. But worth having a small selection of tropical fruits from Jamaica of which there are many for the Beavers to taste.

 

6.40 Limbo Dancing

Lots of fun – Play Reggae Music with 2 leaders holding the cane as the beavers dance threw. Lowering as they go.

 

6.50 Talk & Learning  -  Jamaican Fact sheet attached

Jamaican Costume – Jamaican Dolls dressed in National Costume

Food Tasting – Jerk Chicken, Dumplings, Rice with peas & Beans

 

All facts, games, stories, songs, recipes, flag, map can be found on Facts about Jamaica – Children’s Guide to Jamaica  -  http://www.jamaicans.com/childsguide/children.htm

 

 

7.15 Closing Ceremony