A celebration of Jamaican culture

A taste of Jamaica came to Yorkton last weekend, as people from across the community experienced authentic Caribbean cuisine and music as they celebrated the country’s independence.  

The Jamaica Chapter Association in Yorkton hosted a party at the York Lake Regional Park on Saturday, August 5. They invited the entire town to the get-together. They were celebrating the 55th year of Jamaica’s independence.

Jamaica, a British colony for centuries, achieved legislative and governmental independence on August 6, 1962. Ever since, the date has been a national holiday for the country, marked with street parades and music competitions. Jamaicans across the world honour the date with their own celebrations.

The Jamaica Chapter Association in Yorkton hosted their party at York Lake due to its open space and scenic beauty. But why did they hold it a day before the actual holiday? Sydia Kerr-James, one of the organizers, said it was a matter of logistics.

“Most persons can make it on Saturday, so we made it [today],” she said.

The party included a DJ, a 50/50 draw, framed examples of Jamaican currency, a list of standard English phrases with their translations into patois (a Jamaican-specific language), and an impromptu soccer game.

A big highlight was the food. The Jamaica Chapter Association served a bevy of traditional Jamaican dishes, such as jerk chicken and pork, beans and rice, and Jamaican Festival (a type of fried dumpling).

Matthew Dubidad, the vice-president and one of the founders of the Jamaica Chapter Association, said the goal of the party was to celebrate Jamaican culture while sharing it with the community.

“We’re trying to assimilate into Canadian culture, but at the same time we need to identify with [Jamaica],” he said.

The association, which officially registered in Yorkton this year, will be expanding its reach in the fall and winter. It plans to build a website and promote its name throughout the city. It has also scheduled other events in December.

“More and more Jamaicans are coming here and they’re contributing to the growth of Yorkton, so it’s pretty good,” Dubidad said.