The Jamaican motto ‘Out of many one people’ emphasizes the fact that Jamaicans are a mixture of different nations, races and colours. Seaford Town in Westmoreland, also known as ‘German Town’ embodies that motto.A walking tour through the village, backed by displays at the museum and a lot of passion by our guide Delroy Hacker, a 4th generation German, explained how Germany made its first contribution to the Jamaican ‘out of many’ fusion.
With the emancipation of slaves in the 1830’s, Jamaican plantation owners were faced with a shortage of labor. In search of cheap and reliable labor, they encouraged European, Indian, Chinese and African American workers to immigrate to the island. Some of the European immigrants originated from Germany.
The immigration drive that was to establish Seaford Town was led by Wilhelm Lemonius, a Prussian serving in the British Army, who recruited German workers from Westphalia and Waldeck. After a 2 month journey, the immigrants disembarked in the ports of Rio Bueno, Montego Bay and Reading, and a group of the ‘new Jamaicans’ founded Seaford Town on land given to them by Lord Seaford.
After being registered by the authorities, each immigrant was required to complete a 5 year industrial residency and work 9 hours every day, except Sundays and religious holidays. The strict rules marked the beginning of a harsh existence for the German immigrants and survival in the new country turned out to be a challenging task. Unfamiliar with the language and the climate, life was made even harder by the fact that the immigrants had no experience growing food in tropical soil. With isolation of the small district being the worst hardship of all, the German immigrants acquired the necessary survival skills through sheer determination, learning how to survive the hurricane seasons and treat tropical maladies from the local population and other immigrants.
Today, strong traces of German ancestry continue to play a prominent role in the life of the residents of Seaford Town. Legends and folklore, architectural style as well as customs and beliefs are obvious examples of the heritage, and the elders still use words like ‘hundert’ in stead of hundred and ‘golash’ in stead of work shoes. The number of people with fair complexion and blue eyes is also eye-catching to most visitors. In the movie ‘Papillion’, largely filmed in Jamaica, many of Seaford Town’s residents were part of the French Colonial cast due to their blond complexions.
If you visit some of the 3rd and 4th generation residents of what is locally nicknamed ‘German Town’, you will be amazed by the welcoming spirit of their inhabitants.
85 year old Willie Hacker and his wife Vera invited us into their home like we were long lost family. Said Mrs. Vera; “I have welcomed many tourists into my home so they can experience our culture first hand.”
“This is our history,” said our guide Delroy describing the town’s hospitality. And the experience did not end there. Food preparation is a mouthwatering part of the German legacy and every Saturday, people come to taste a piece of the famous roasted pork sold at Lambs River Square, a five minute drive from Seaford Town. “I receive orders from all over the island,” explained Grace Clark-Reid with pride. “The pork is stuffed with a mixture of rice and herbs and roasted in a brick oven,” said the popular cook. Several pigs are usually prepared and sold out by 4:00 pm.
Historical facts are courtesy of Delroy Hacker, based on the research of Rev. Fr. Francis Freisen, a Dutch priest who served the community from 1970 – 1986 and is still fondly remembered as Father Francis.
For a personal tour of Seaford Town, call Delroy on 872-0573. To get to Seaford Town, arrange a personal driver with your Hotel Tour Desk or go by rent-a-car.
