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Alaka Rajeev 1930317

Prof. Dr. Sushma V Murthy
Postcolonial Literatures - EST 531
19 August 2021

Colonialism in Jamaica - Ackee and Saltfish

Colonialism involves establishing full/partial political control over another

country/region mainly to derive economic profit. Indigenous resources and people are
exploited in this process given the presence of the colonists who seek to disrupt the natural
way of life of the original inhabitants of the land and push them to servitude by means of
physical force and brutality. There was extreme pressure on the natives to conform to the
cultural hegemony of the colonists and hence, the original Cultural Capital of the land was
severely impacted with the introduction of changes in language, food and cultural practices.
This pressure was furthered under the guise of it being a way to ‘civilise’ the natives and
introduce them to the ‘right’ way of living. The history of colonialism especially for the
inhabitants of the land is tinged with sorrow for all that they could not hold onto, loss of their
cultural heritage and anguish because of their hapless state. There have been several countries
across the globe that have had to suffer the consequences of colonialism and its people who
have had to see the impact it had on their family, land and everything they loved, cherished
and wished they could have held onto.

Jamaica was one such land where the colonial experience irretrievably shaped the
lives of its inhabitants. The Arawaks were the original inhabitants of Jamaica (then,
Xaymaca) who lived a simple life smoking tobacco, catching fish and cultivating various
crops. Their free and harmonious life was to change upon Christopher Columbus’ discovery
of the ‘West Indies’ in 1494. The Arawaks were understandably hostile towards the
Spaniards but couldn’t ward them off given that they had superior tools to attack and defend
themselves. The Arawaks were subjected to torture and made to serve the Spaniars. Before
long, they were entirely wiped out considering their lowered health due to exhaustion after
being overworked by the Spaniards alongwith their lack of resistance to the diseases brought
by the Spaniards. For long, Jamaica mainly remained as a supply base for the Spaniards in
their fight against America. Ultimately, the first set of colonists started trickling in which led
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to the expansion of the land, creation of settlements and towns consisting of churches and
convents.
But, the control of the Spaniards wasn’t meant for long and the English successfully
acquired Xaymaca. With this, the ‘West Indies’ became a plantation colony wherein Africans
were shipped from West Africa to work on the sugar plantations which had become a
booming industry. The Slave Trade majorly benefitted the colonists who could cultivate
sugarcane and then produce sugar by making use of cheap labour. But, the slaves constantly
rebelled against the brutal conditions imposed on them and by the year 1808, the Slavery
Abolition Bill was passed because of such slave rebellions and because of support from
groups such as the Quakers who spoke out against the slave trade and slavery. After 300
years of being colonised by the British, Jamaica gained political independence in 1962 and is
now an island nation that has had an unending influence in the contemporary world and
consists of citizens who have reclaimed their colonial experience by acknowledging it as a
vital part of their collective identity.

“Colonization is a violent process that fundamentally alters the ways of life of the
colonized. Food has always been a fundamental tool in the process of colonization. Through
food, social and cultural norms are conveyed, and also violated... Food choices are influenced
and constrained by cultural values and are an important part of the construction and
maintenance of social identity. In that sense, food has never merely been about the simple act
of pleasurable consumption—food is history, it is culturally transmitted, it is identity. Food is
power” (Alvarez).
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For the colonised, all factors governing their existence is affected by colonialism including
the diet chosen to provide themselves with nourishment. Jamaica’s national dish - Ackee and
Saltfish - has a colonial history bearing in mind that it was birthed as a result of the triangular
slave trade that occurred between Britain, West Africa and the West Indies. The Ackee fruit
is native to regions in West Africa and was brought to the West Indies during the late 18th
century on a slave ship. Given that it was well suited to the tropical climate present in the
West Indies, it became an ubiquitous fruit. Saltfish or cod was imported in large quantities
because of its non-perishable nature and used to be exchanged for rum, sugar and molasses.
Both the Ackee and the saltfish were found to be a nutritious source of protein that was
amply available and accessible to the slaves who worked arduously in the sugar plantations.
African women tasked with ensuring sustenance for themselves and their family mixed both
Ackee and Saltfish as well as other available vegetables to create a dish that has come to
become Jamaica’s national dish.
The delectable dish is an ode to a nation and its resilient people for having redefined their
status as a colony by acknowledging the struggles of their ancestors who found comfort and
nourishment in this dish after a day of strenuous work.
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Works Cited

Alvarez, Linda. “Colonization, Food, and the Practice of Eating.” Food Empowerment
Project, foodispower.org/our-food-choices/colonization-food-and-the-practice-of-
eating/.

Fuller, Hannah. “The Colonial Language of White Food Culture.” Grounded Grub, Grounded
Grub, 8 Dec. 2020, groundedgrub.com/articles/colonial-food-language.

McFadden, Syreeta. “Uncovering the Roots of Caribbean Cooking.” The Atlantic, Atlantic
Media Company, 1 June 2021,
www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/01/origins-most-popular-caribbean-
foods/579052/.

“The History of Jamaica.” Jamaica Information Service, jis.gov.jm/information/jamaican-

history/.