What do you know about the parish of Hanover – the smallest outside Kingston? Actually, I must confess I know very little. I am not sure that I have seen the Ettu dance performed, either. So I am very much looking forward to this Salute to Hanover, next week. All are welcome…, especially Hanoverians.
Salute to the Parish of Hanover at the Institute of Jamaica
Kingston, November 20, 2018: Hanover, Jamaica’s smallest parish outside of Kingston is – as we would say – “likkle but tallawah” as it has a rich heritage and strong linkages to our African ancestors; it has also made invaluable contributions, through its people, to the development of our country. The Institute of Jamaica will recognize the parish for its historical contributions and its role in national development Thursday, November 29, 2018, at 10 am the IOJ Lecture Hall, 10-16 East Street, in a ceremony dubbed “Salute to the Parish of Hanover”.
Hanover was created in 1725 and was named after the German House of Hanover. Hanover has since crafted a unique identity and today Jamaicans associate tourism, the Tryall Great House and our National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante with the parish.
A very distinct feature of the parish is a sub-culture preserved by the Ettu Dance Group. This group performs the Ettu dance that is done mainly in Hanover. The dance originates from the African Yoruba tribe – it is done with the lifting and dropping of the shoulders with the feet shuffling and is performed to songs that are sung in Yoruban dialect. In addition to dance and language, the group also preserves the food culture of the Yoruban culture.
The Institute of Jamaica has invited the Ettu dance group to perform the dance at the event.
Justice Seymour Panton, a Hanoverian will be speaking at the event. Justice Panton is the former President of the Court of Appeal of Jamaica. His alma mater is Rusea’s High School located in Hanover. The school has named a building in his honour – The Seymour Panton Mentorship Centre.
Hanover is the third parish that the Institute of Jamaica has saluted as it has done St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The aim of the event is to highlight the different sub-cultures of each parish and how they add value to Jamaica’s Heritage and Culture.
Political Ombudsman the Hon. Donna Parchment Brown spoke at Salute to St. Elizabeth while Hon. Mrs Justice Zaila McCalla former Chief Justice spoke at Salute to Westmoreland.
All Hanoverians, as well as those with Hanoverian connections, are invited to this event.
Contact:
Okema Hamilton
Public Relations Officer
Cell: 876-858-2620
Phone: 876-922-0620
Petchary's Blog 
Very glad to hear this. I’m tired of Jamaicans at large joking that Hanover isn’t a real place. I hope it was a lovely well-supported event.
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Yes! It’s not fair. And yes, it was lovely, fascinating and quite well supported, although I would love to have seen a completely full house!
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This is interesting for Nairne descendants because Sara Williams is identified by DNA (eg my autosomal test results) as of Mali-Nigerian descent which links to Yoruba ancestry and culture. Sara and Daniel Nairne are parents of the early Nairnes of Jamaica: John, Alexander, Daniel, William, Duncan & Colin Nairne (all born in Clarendon between 1800 & 1815.) We do not yet know Sara’s parents or where she was born, and more work needs to be done
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Yes – that is really interesting! Perhaps the Jamaican Archives could help. You could also join a very informative Facebook group if you are on Facebook. It’s called Jamaica Colonial Heritage Society…
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