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Jamaican Banana Sellers
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Jamaican Banana Sellers
Jamaican Banana Sellers, carrying impressive loads on their heads. Date: circa 1908
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 11549053
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Balanced Balancing Banana Bunch Bunches Carry Grove Indies Jamaica Jamaican Melons Plantation Seller Sellers
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment in the rich history of Jamaican banana production, circa 1908. The image features a group of Jamaican women, expertly balancing impressive loads of ripe bananas on their heads as they make their way from the grove to the market. Dressed in traditional West Indian attire, these women embody the strength and resilience of the Jamaican people, who have long been integral to the island's banana industry. Bananas have been a staple crop in Jamaica since the late 19th century, with the first commercial plantations established in the 1870s. The fruit's popularity grew rapidly, and by the early 1900s, Jamaica was the world's leading banana exporter. The women in this photograph are likely part of the workforce that made this achievement possible, carrying bunches of bananas from the groves to be sold at local markets or shipped abroad. Despite the challenges of harvesting and transporting the heavy bunches, these women balanced their loads with remarkable skill, using a technique known as "lancing" to secure the bananas to their heads with a strip of cloth. This method allowed them to keep their hands free to carry other items or care for their children. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the important role that Jamaican women played in the banana industry and the unique traditions that have shaped the island's cultural heritage. It is a reminder of the hard work, determination, and ingenuity that have made Jamaican bananas a beloved fruit around the world.
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