(CMR) The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Heritage has announced that Cabinet has selected five new national symbols for the Cayman Islands, recognizing the importance of national identity to the Cayman Islands and efforts to preserve and raise awareness of the Country’s cultural heritage.
The new symbols are expected to contribute to the preservation of Cayman’s heritage, help to unite communities and strengthen national identity.
The new additions are listed and defined as follows:
National Dish: Stew Turtle
A unique culinary dish that is reflective of the Cayman Islands' rich maritime heritage.
National Drink: Swanky
Swanky is made with brown sugar and Seville orange (bitter orange), which has a distinctive bitter and sour taste.
National Dance: Cayman Quadrille
The Cayman Quadrille, characterized by six distinct figures and eight counts, embodies the spirit and rhythm of Caymanians.
National Dessert: Caymanian Heavy Cake
Caymanian heavy cakes are traditionally made from cassava, yam and sweet potato. In addition, these heavy cakes can be made from pumpkin, green papaya (paw paw), corn, breadfruit and other available goods such as biscuits and cream of wheat. Caymanian heavy cakes are rich, sticky, dark in color and includes coconut milk, which is boiled, vanilla, brown sugar, butter and spices.
National Dress:
Women’s Everyday Wear
1-piece long dress or 2-piece blouse and long skirt in the Plaid Gingham pattern in pastel colors, with the occasional option of an apron.
Women’s Dress Clothes
1-piece dress or 2-piece blouse and long skirt in solid light colors, often with the blouse being white.
Women's attire was always of a modest nature; their heads were at times covered with a head wrap knotted at the back of the neck. This was accompanied with a straw hat or a dressier hat. At times gloves were worn for special occasions.
Women's attire was always of a modest nature; their heads were at times covered with a head wrap knotted at the back of the neck. This was accompanied with a straw hat or a dressier hat. At times gloves were worn for special occasions.
Men’s Everyday Working on Land
– Khaki Shirt and Pants
– Rough Khaki for working
– Dress Khaki evening
Men’s Everyday Turtle Rangers/Seamen
– Denim Jeans
– Chambray Shirts
Men’s Dress Clothes
– Black or White Pants
– White Shirts
– Undershirts
Men often wore straw hats as protection from the heat and a smaller dressier hat for more formal occasions or Church.
These new additions will join the existing list of national symbols, which include the Cayman Parrot, the Silver Thatch Palm and the Wild Banana Orchid as official national symbols of the Cayman Islands.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Heritage, Hon. Isaac Rankine stated, “The Ministry remains dedicated to the authentic documentation and promotion of traditional elements that define Cayman’s heritage. As these symbols take their place in our national identity, they will serve as a living testament to the vibrant and diverse history of the Cayman Islands.”
These symbols represent the way of life of Caymanian ancestors and how they used what they had to eat, live, and celebrate. With the Cabinet’s selection, the Ministry has commenced the development of a heritage campaign aimed at bringing awareness and education about the new symbols as well as other aspects of Cayman’s past.
Members of the public are encouraged to be involved, support the initiatives made available, and learn and appreciate Cayman’s history throughout the campaign and moving forward. To learn more, people can follow the Ministry of Youth Sports and Heritage on Facebook and Instagram at @mysch_cayman.
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