JAMAICA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28471, 28 December 1957, Page 3

JAMAICA

Jamaica, Land of Wood and Water. By Fernando Henriques. MacGibbon and Kee. 216 pp. Dr. Henriques is a social anthropologist attached to the University of Leeds, and is a member of a well-known Jamaican family. His previous book, “Family and Colour in Jamaica,” was a study of the intimate details of social life in what is one of Britain’s oldest colonies. This book broadens the field to introduce the historical pattern and to bring it up to date with what is happening today. History was not kind to the native Arawaks, who were enslaved or exterminated, nor was it kind to the Africans who were brought to Jamaica to supplant them. Working as slaves on the sugar plantations, these Africans became the nucleus of the lower and middle groups in the Jamaica of today. ‘ Under appalling conditions .of slavery, the original African could ndt perpetuate his native social structure. Subject to the whims, sexual desire ano pecuniary gain of his master, he experienced frustrations which gave rise to witchcraft and to secret societies. Some of them still affect Jamaican life. Despite nearly 150 years of emancipation his descendants are still dominated by the “magic” in a white skin. Dr. Henriques gives the reader insight into these and many other problems of his native land.

The majority of Jamaicans still live in acute poverty. Despite exports of bananas, coffee and ginger, the country lacks foreign exchange. The internal revenue is difficult to collect as adequate income taxation is not possible. Instability and economic insecurity produce uneasiness and a desire for a change. Frustration dominates the feeling of the black fellow, whose vigour, enthusiasm and ambition are killed by colour prejudice. There are many problems to .solve in the difficult years to come. Democracy and federation are still dreams built upon an insecure foundation.

Dr. Henriques has written an interesting book which is in natural sequence to his previous one. Read in conjunction, they give the reader insight into the deepseated habits of the Jamaican people. They will make a big contribution in aiding the search for elements of stability on which to base federation in the Caribbean. x •