Little London: Home to Goda-me

Home of the Goda-me and the spirit of resilience.

There are some places in Jamaica that never make the glossy tourism brochures, yet somehow manage to leave the deepest imprint on your heart. Little London, nestled between Savanna-la-Mar, the capital and commercial heartbeat of Westmoreland, and Negril, the world famous Capital of Casual, is one such place.

For many Jamaicans, Little London is simply a point along the roadway, a place you pass through on your way to somewhere else. But for those of us who know it, Little London is far more than a dot on a map. It is a dynamic community, rich in history, culture, resilience, and stories that deserve to be told.

Originally established as a dormitory community for workers employed in nearby Negril, Jamaica's internationally renowned tourism epicenter, and on the sugar estates of Frome, Little London became home to East Indian indentured laborers who arrived in Jamaica following Emancipation. Their arrival helped fill the labor shortage left behind as formerly enslaved Africans sought new opportunities beyond the plantations. Traces of that heritage remain woven into the fabric of the community's identity, and the children born of those two labor forces, African and Indian, are fondly called Royals.

At the center of it all is the town square, a vibrant meeting place surrounded by institutions that continue to serve generations of residents. The post office, the medical clinic, the primary school, the high school and, more recently, a newly built and modernized police station all stand as a reminder that even small towns can have a big heartbeat.

That heartbeat was, however, quickened recently, and the palpitation heightened. A tachycardia of sorts, to use a medical term loosely.

Like many communities across western Jamaica, Little London felt the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa. Homes were damaged, livelihoods disrupted, and uncertainty settled heavily over families already facing economic challenges. Yet if there is one thing Jamaicans know how to do, it is to rise.

That spirit of resilience is exactly what inspired the creation of Little London Day in 2018. What began as an initiative to showcase the community's positive contributions has evolved into something much larger: a celebration of identity, culture, entrepreneurship and hope.

This year's observance, held on June 5, carried even greater significance. Beyond the entertainment and festivities, it represented a community's determination to rebuild stronger than before.

Visitors found traditional foods, arts and crafts, children's activities, performances, and a farmers' market brimming with fresh produce, much of which was only then returning to market after Hurricane Melissa ravaged the crops.

Government agencies and private sector partners were on hand, providing practical assistance ranging from document replacement services to other needed recovery resources.

Yet perhaps the most fascinating attraction could not be found on a stage, in a booth or in a stall. It can be found in a fish. A very small fish. And a very big story.

For generations, Little London has been known as the home of the Goda-me. The Goda-me, known scientifically as Dormitator maculatus, is a small indigenous fish found in rivers and swamps. While not considered commercially valuable in the traditional fishing industry, it has earned legendary status in western Jamaica for its uniqueness. It can be fried, curried, parched, stewed, or added to soup. But what truly makes the Goda-me remarkable is its ability to survive outside water for extended periods, if kept in cool, damp conditions.

Like the people of Little London, it has an uncanny ability to endure.

I remember my great grandmother, affectionately called Mama, purchasing Goda-me from local river fishermen who would set pots in the shallows of streams, gutters and drainage channels after heavy rainfall. To a child, it seemed almost magical that these tiny fish could appear from nowhere. Older folks would say, "When rain come dung, Goda-me aguh run."

Mama would use the fish to create the most delectable culinary delights, worthy of the approval of any fine dining restaurant. She would transform them into the sweetest curry stew, or into fish tea imaginable.

Looking back, I am not sure whether it was the fish itself that tasted so good or simply Mama's love that seasoned the pot. What I do know is that every plate and every bowl came with a story, because of course every Jamaican community has a story. And apparently every fish has a story attached to its name.

According to local folklore, long ago the Creator was busy naming every animal on Earth. It was an enormous undertaking that took ages. One by one the creatures received their names, until finally the Creator finished and, exhausted from the task, sat down to rest.

Then, from somewhere in the distance, came a tiny voice. "God?" The Creator sprang from his chair. "Did I miss someone? Who dat?" Slowly, a frightened little fish emerged from the shadows, nervous, wide eyed, barely able to speak.

The Creator looked down. The fish looked up. And in a trembling voice it said: "Gadda-mi."

And that, according to Little London folklore, is how the Goda-me got its name.

Whether fact or fiction hardly matters, because stories like these are Jamaica's cultural treasures. Storytelling is part of our intangible heritage. These stories connect us to our grandparents, our communities and our childhoods. They remind us who we are.

In celebrating its people, its history and its future, even in the wake of Melissa, Little London holds up the Goda-me as a symbol of fortitude, and it offers an unexpected lesson. Small things can survive in adverse conditions and overcome great challenges. Communities can recover. People can rebuild. And even the humblest places can produce fascinating attractions, and are often home to stories worth telling.

The real spirit of Little London Day is not merely a celebration of a town, but a celebration of the resilience, resourcefulness and sense of community that continue to define Jamaica at its best.

In Little London, the spirit of the Goda-me is alive and well.