The official outfit worn by Sir Clifford Campbell, at the first opening of Parliament in 1962.
Georgia Hemmings, Staff Reporter
IT'S A fascinating peek into history for those who never witnessed it, and a nostalgic stroll down memory lane for those who were there.
The '1962' exhibition on at the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) is presented to commemorate Jamaica's 40th anniversary as an Independent country. But the exhibition focuses mainly on events occurring around the actual event Independence Day, August 6, 1962 hence its title.
The organisers wanted to examine the 'objects' created during the period - whether for common use, memorabilia or artistic representations - as indicators of the Jamaican attitude at the time. On show are a variety of souvenirs, photographs, gifts to the nation and other mementoes through which history unfolds.
There are the original type-written minutes of the working committee which planned the Independence celebrations.
Chaired by the late Gleaner Editor, Theodore Sealy, the committee comprised outstanding citizens of the time, such as A.J. Morais, B. St. J Hamilton, George Bowen, Lily Mae Burke, Rupert Chin-See, Arthur S. Davis, Louis Stephenson, O.T. Fairclough, Samuel Henriques, Herbert A. Jones, Dr. Linden Leslie, Richard Mahfood, Rex Nettleford, Jim Patterson, Ainsworth P. Scott, Iris Thompson, Deonarine Tewari, Thomas Thompson, and Government officials, H. L. Lindo (Governor's secretary), P.W. Beckwith (under-secretary in the Ministry of Finance), and A.G. Langdon (acting deputy commissioner of police).
Activities leading up to the "big day" included two competitions to select the national flag and anthem. Due to time constraints, however, only the competition for the National Anthem took place.
But the exhibition showcases various designs submitted for consideration for the national flag, and notes that the committee started out with 23 colours, before narrowing it down to three. Black was chosen to show Jamaica's solidarity with Africa, and yellow was selected for brightness. However there was a problem with the third colour as most of the judging committee wanted blue. But the nascent nation needed no reminder of the "Union Jack" and colonial Britain, so blue was eliminated and green eventually chosen.
The original flag raised at midnight on August 6, 1962 is on display, as well as the piano on which Jamaica's new National Anthem was played. There is something deeply stirring about seeing original memorabilia, and viewers (especially students) will delight in seeing the original lyrics and musical manuscripts (scores) submitted in the competition for the National Anthem.
Hugh Sherlock's words and Robert Lightbourne's music were chosen, later arranged by Mapletoft Poulle to give us Eternal Father, Bless Our Land, our own patriotic song. And when "August Mawnin" dawned in 1962, Jamaica also had its own national flower (lignum vitae, meaning "wood of life), tree (mahoe), fruit (ackee - brought to Jamaica from West Africa in the 18th century), bird ('Doctor Bird - a species of hummingbird which lives only in Jamaica) and coat of arms.
Black and white photographs record the participation of HRH Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon and her husband, Earl of Snowdon, in our Independence celebrations, as representatives of the British sovereign.
The message from Sir Alexander Bustamante, Prime Minister in 1962, hailed Jamaica's attainment of Independence, and stated in part: "We have come a long way together. As a sovereign people, we shall make new friends and new alliances.... Come let us go forward together into the future with faith, courage and dedication."
Independence souvenirs
The exhibition is complemented by a wide assortment of Independence souvenirs, many solicited from members of the public and on loan to the Institute.
They include an elaborate Independence urn from Rex Nettleford's collection, and (from other individuals) dinner plate, soup bowl, ash tray, mug, cup and saucer, tea jug and creamer, glasses, and jewellery box, embossed with the Jamaican coat of arms.
A bottle of Appleton Rum, specially blended by distillers, J. Wray and Nephew Limited, to commemorate Independence is also shown, as well as T-Shirts, children's caps, miniature flags and other items produced for the occasion.
Viewers can also see a special advertorial published in the New York Times (August 5, 1962) relating the tale of "Jamaica, Birth of a Nation", and a framed page from the "Illustrated London News" with a photograph of Princess Margaret and her husband with Sir Alexander at the celebrations. On show, too, are currency of the day loaned by Bank of Jamaica - a five pound and 10-shilling note, one penny, and half-penny coins.
Other relics include the outfit worn by Sir Clifford Campbell (Jamaica's first native Governor-General) at the first opening of Parliament in 1962, official programmes and invitations, overseas telegrams and flyers. One invitation requested the recipient' to hear proceedings from Gordon House on August 7, 1962 on closed circuit television at Coke Memorial Hall, starting at 9:10 a.m. And several prominent personalities shared their memories of the landmark occasion in this exhibition - excerpts from Professor Rex Nettleford, Sarah Newland Martin, Elaine Melbourne, artist Raymond Watson, and Professor Barry Chevannes.
Eyeopener on history
The artistic strivings of a new nation are also on show, including the LP from the Arts Celebration Choir of Jamaica. The 150-voice choir (along with the 35-member Kingston College Choir and the 90-voice Ardenne School Choir) gave the first official performance of the new Jamaica National Anthem on the night of August 6, and the "Song of Thanksgiving" in a series of concerts as part of Independence celebrations and the IX Central Anerica and Caribbean Games which took place in Jamaica during the month of August.
On loan from the National Gallery of Jamaica and private collections are art works produced in 1962 by artists such as Edna Manley, Alvin Marriott Mallica "Kapo" Reynolds, Gaston Tabois and Carl Abrahams, and a video recording, brings back nostalgic memories (and tears), about the street parades and cultural performances of by-gone Independence celebrations.
"1962" is a simple exhibition (which could have been more attractively laid out) but what an eye opener on history it provides. It brings back to people the actual event, showcasing what happened from the political, social and artistic perspectives.
It is designed to "stimulate memories of the celebration for those who were involved in this crest in nationhood," while teaching those born in the post-Independence period about their sense of identity and nationhood. As such the show should prove particularly relevant to CXC students, history teachers, researchers and others interested in Jamaican heritage.
The show continues until the end of October, so take some time to leisurely browse through the exhibition gallery. Viewing hours are Mondays to Thursdays from 10 a.m.,. to 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
