KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday July 6, 2015 – Jamaica has its first world heritage site. The country’s renowned Blue and John Crow Mountains was inscribed to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.
During its 39th session taking place in Bonn, Germany, the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) announced the inscription of the Blue and John Crow Mountains, where thick forests once sheltered fleeing slaves, to the World Heritage List. The inscription is the first mixed (cultural and natural) site for the Caribbean and is one of only 32 mixed sites.
Jamaica now joins the list of iconic sites such as the Great Wall of China, The Pyramids of Giza Egypt, The Taj Mahal of India and Acropolis of Athens, Great Barrier Reef Australia, as well as the Pitons in St. Lucia, to name a few.
World Heritage status is given to natural and cultural sites across the globe that are considered to be of the Outstanding Universal Value, meaning the sites possess cultural and natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries, and are of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity. Elements of authenticity and integrity associated with sites must also be demonstrated in the nomination process.
Addressing the World Heritage Committee following the unanimous decision by the 21 member committee, Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna expressed gratitude to the World Heritage Committee for recognizing the extraordinary value of the Blue and John Crow Mountains.
“This has been quite a journey for us as a country. The experience has taught us many things and, among them, we have learnt to appreciate our distinctive natural and cultural heritage even more,” she said.
“There is a natural mystic that belies who we are as a county and as a people. A small nation with unabashed resolve and courage, giving to the world the King of Reggae Music Bob Marley and the fastest man and woman on land, Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Frazer Pryce. Our history, in particular the struggles and defiance of our Maroon people, helped to mould us into being distinctly Jamaican.
“To this end, we want the world to not only drink our Blue Mountain Coffee but also see the Outstanding Universal Value of the Blue and John Crow Mountains, a site that the world can embrace as its own, exhibiting the natural and cultural values that will give an understanding of our ‘Jamaicaness’,” she added.
The Committee members noted that the site is a further example of how different UNESCO conventions can exist together, recognizing that the intangible heritage of the Moore Town Maroons, which is one of the Maroon communities in the Blue and John Crow Mountains, was inscribed on the Intangible World Heritage List in 2009.
Also addressing the World Heritage Committee was Colonel of the Moore Town Maroons, Wallace Sterling who dedicated the prestigious listing to the Maroons of Jamaica.
“We know our ancestors are looking down on this moment, very proud that this universal prestige is being given to us, in part because they were selfless, committed, strong, cunning and resourceful persons who found ingenious ways to dismantle a system that blighted peoples of the region. Their efforts to put an end to one of the darkest periods of our history are what we acknowledge and celebrate as Maroons today. Importantly, we hail the legacy passed on to us by our ancestors – they have helped to shape our identity of self, and community,” he said.
World Heritage status opens up new realms for Jamaica in areas of tourism and research.
There are currently 1,007 sites on the World Heritage List. Some 18 sites have been recommended for inscription to the list and are being deliberated during the 39th session of the WHC, June 28 – July 8.
