Cultural Heritage, Climate Justice and Renewal

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”- Marcus Garvey. There is a sense of urgency to rebuild Jamaica after the catastrophic and devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa which made landfall on October 28, 2025 packing winds of 185 miles per hour. The lives of many Jamaicans have been in limbo since that fateful day. Jamaicans are resilient. The process of rebuilding must be intentional and purposeful. Rebuilding is much more than replacing physical structures. Rebuilding incorporates the spirit and history of that space to be rebuilt. Jamaica’s strong and historic Judeo- Christian background must also be taken into account in refashioning this new Jamaica. Culture is the way of life of a people. Jamaica’s culture is an amalgamation of various groups of people who settled on the island over the centuries. Our culture and our laws have to a great extent been shaped by Christian beliefs and faith. Reconstructing any town especially one so steeped in history involves more than architectures and engineers, it involves historians, clergy and the people who have been displaced. All stakeholders should have a voice in the process of national development. As a society we must do all we can to preserve our cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is the legacy of tangible and intangible assets inherited from past generations that represents the identity and history of a society. Tangible heritage includes physical objects like monuments, buildings, and artifacts, while intangible heritage encompasses non-physical elements such as traditions, languages, and practices passed down through generations. In rebuilding our historic towns such as Black River, all efforts must be taken to ensure that we do not erase our rich and diverse culture. Established in the late 17th century and named after the river characterized by its dark hue from decomposing vegetation, Black River quickly rose to prominence. By 1773, it had become the parish capital, replacing Lacovia, and evolved into a bustling port town. The town thrived on the export of logwood a valuable dye source alongside rum, pimento, and cattle skins from nearby estates like Holland and Vineyard. Black River was also a pioneer in technological advancements in Jamaica. It was the first town in Jamaica to get electricity; the first to have a telephone exchange and the first to have a registered motor vehicle. Both Jamaica’s healthcare and education systems have taken a battering. The Black River hospital in St. Elizabeth, the Savanna- La- Mar hospital in Westmoreland and the Noel Holmes hospital located in Hanover all suffered severe structural damage during the hurricane. The Government has reported that more than 600 educational institutions sustained damage during the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. History of Black River. The town of Black River, established close to the banks of the river after which it is named, is one of the oldest in the island. The exact date of its establishment is not known but John Sellers' 1685 map of Jamaica identified its existence. The town itself is quaint and beautiful, looking as it does southward, toward the shimmering blue Caribbean Sea. Black River was designed by the Leyden brothers of England, three wealthy men who were substantial land proprietors in the area. Today, it is nothing like the busy seaport town it was in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the area prospered from the lucrative logwood trade, exports of rum, pimento and cattle skin garnered from nearby Holland, Vineyard and Fullerswood Estates. The town itself, because of its port, was vital to the slave trade. Slaves were brought here and sold at auction at Farquharson Wharf, originally called the 'Town Wharf', which is still standing. Architecture. A new feature of the town was the construction of merchant town houses. The first floor of these buildings was used for shops and the second for dwelling. It is not surprising therefore, that Black River was the first town in Jamaica to have electricity which was supplied by the Leyden brothers in 1893. Power was generated from a plant which had a huge furnace and boiler. Logwood, which was a major export of the parish, was used to generate steam from the engine which provided the power. The town has many important historic sites and structures and the buildings are of varying architectural styles. There are examples of Georgian, Jamaican Georgian, British Colonial and Jamaican Vernacular architectural styles. The predominant ones however, are Georgian and Victorian, which reflect the different periods in the history of the town's development. Some of these buildings, particularly those to the western and northern sections of the town are wooden structures. These generally have characteristic features, built to take advantage of the cool winds, of wide verandahs, sash windows, jalousies and fretwork. On April 8th, 1999, the town of Black River was designated a Protected National Heritage District by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust ensuring the preservation of its historical structures. The town's rich history is reflected in its architecture, with preserved Georgian and Victorian buildings like the Waterloo Guest House and Invercauld Great House. Savanna-La-Mar. Savanna-La-Mar located on the southwestern section of Jamaica is the capital of Westmoreland. It is located on an open bay at the mouth of the Cabarita River. Savanna-la-Mar, a Spanish settlement, was declared the parish capital in 1730. Sabana-de-la-Mar, the Spanish name for the town, means “the plain by the sea”. During English occupation of the island, the “de” was dropped and the name became Savanna-la-Mar. Sometimes this is abbreviated to Sav-la-Mar. In 1790, 1912 and1979 the town was destroyed by hurricanes and tidal waves, and many people died. Savanna-la-Mar holds cultural significance for Jamaica through its role in the history of slavery and resistance, its educational and religious institutions, and its historical connection to political developments. It was a site connected to the suppression of the 1831 Christmas Rebellion and the subsequent 1838 abolition of slavery. The town is also home to historically important sites like Mannings High School (founded 1738) and the Savanna-la-Mar Baptist Church (founded 1829). Cultural Survival. Cultural survival is deliberate. It calls for collaboration among governments, civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s). Cultural survival" refers to the continued existence and adaptation of a group's cultural identity, beliefs, and practices, especially in the face of globalization, conflict, or social change. The alteration of one’s culture adds another layer to trauma. On the path to modernity we ought not to rid ourselves of our history and cultural heritage. Cultural trauma does not fade with time; it reverberates through language, rituals, and family dynamics. Unfortunately, we often tend to ignore the psychological and cultural weight of trauma. Ignoring trauma’s psychological and cultural dimensions leads to: Policy failures: Solutions that focus only on economics or infrastructure miss the human cost. Social fragmentation: Communities fracture when pain is unacknowledged or invalidated. Trauma is not confined to any one geographical area. It crosses transnational borders, and its impact is geopolitical. Trauma, whether caused by war, displacement, colonialism, systemic oppression, or environmental disaster, rarely stays within the borders of the originating country. The same principle of transparency to cultural survival should be adhered to regarding all of our cultural and historic sites as we rebuild a more inclusive Jamaica where the average person feels a sense of belonging and where justice is dispensed fairly. Climate Justice. Interestingly, the conversation surrounding climate justice is not a favourite topic for those most impacted by extreme weather conditions. Climate justice is oftentimes viewed as being counter to progress and development. The United Nations (UN) states that climate justice is the moral and ethical principle that seeks to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and future generations. It recognizes that the consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels and resource scarcity, are not distributed equally, with marginalized and disadvantaged populations often bearing the brunt of these effects. The UN adds that climate justice advocates for equitable solutions that prioritize the needs of those who are most affected by climate change, strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure that the burdens and benefits of climate action are distributed fairly, taking into account historical and systemic inequalities. Ultimately, climate justice calls for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to addressing the global climate crisis. In this season of renewal climate justice must be a central theme in the rebuilding and reconstructing process. Gender and Climate. The climate crisis is not “gender neutral”. Women and girls bear the brunt of its impacts, which amplify existing gender inequalities and pose unique threats to their livelihoods, health and safety. Due to pre-existing socioeconomic inequalities and socially constructed gender roles, women and girls are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, while also being largely excluded from climate policy decision-making. In Jamaica, we are witnessing this gender-divide as most impacted households are primarily made up of women and children. The Gender Snapshot 2024 report indicates that by 2050, climate change may push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty (16 million more than the total number of men and boys). The time is now to talk about how climate change impacts women and girls, why gender equality is key to global climate action, and how we must support solutions for women, by women. The UN argues that in many regions, women bear a disproportionate responsibility for securing food, water and fuel for their families. When these resources become scarce due to the changing climate, women must work harder and travel farther. This also puts added pressure on girls, who sometimes have to leave school to help their mothers manage the increased burden. Renewal. Humanity is fraught with examples of renewal. Renewal is a process and not an event. It has many forms but renewal should be sustainable and include the voices of those who are impacted the most. In the reconstruction of towns, districts and communities the experts must make use of the available science. Given the Caribbean’s propensity to be impacted by hurricane, where to build and what materials to use are critical in safeguarding ourselves. Building too close to the coast is a problem and will be a problem for the foreseeable future. Climate change is real, so too is global warming and both phenomena are impacting the quality of our lives. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. The government should utilize the opportunities to rebuild communities in alignment with proper planning and the enforcement of laws concerning the environment. In this period of renewal we should reinforce and give adequate resources to our agencies which address environmental protection. In repositioning a new Jamaica, it is critical that our cultural retention is given adequate support. We should never embark on a path that will erase, or sanitize our history from the dominant narrative. In this period of renewal let us give more attention to climate change and global warming which are disproportionately impacting Small Island Developing States (SIDS). As we reset our lives after Hurricane Melissa let us draw inspiration from our national anthem. Eternal Father Bless our land. Guard us with Thy mighty Hand Keep us free from evil powers, Be our light through countless hours. To our Leaders Great Defender, Grant true wisdom from above. Justice, Truth be ours forever, Jamaica, Land we love Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love. Teach us true respect for all, Stir response to duty’s call, Strengthen us the weak to cherish, Give us vision lest we perish. Knowledge send us Heavenly Father, Grant true wisdom from above. Justice, Truth be ours forever, Jamaica, Land we love. Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #culturalheritage #climatejustice #JamaicaRecovers