The Cayman Islands have undergone huge changes over the last 50 years. Our seafaring and subsistence way of life has been transformed as we have become one of the world’s best-known financial centres and a luxury tourist destination. There has also been a huge influx of people from different countries who have brought their own culture and way of life to the islands. So, it is very important that we teach our children about Cayman, about our culture and heritage, and we help them to not only understand it, but be proud of their Caymanian identity and appreciate the unique history that has brought them here today.
Cayman’s National Symbols
National Bird: Grand Cayman Parrot
Nesting in tree holes in old-growth forests, the colourful Grand Cayman Parrot (and quieter, smaller, Cayman Brac Parrot) depend on undisturbed woodlands and black mangrove forests for survival. Cayman's parrots have iridescent green feathers with darker edges over the body, a white eye ring, red cheeks, black ear patches and brilliant blue wing feathers which are only obvious when the bird is in flight. The tail has blue outer edges, with some red and yellowish-green underneath. They love to feed on sea grapes and red birch berries and flowers, and the seeds and betties of many other native plants. It is illegal to take a parrot from the wild and keep it as a pet.
National Moto: “He hath founded it upon the seas”
The Islands' motto, He hath founded it upon the seas, comes from Psalms 24:2 and it acknowledges Cayman's Christian heritage plus Cayman’s seafaring past.
National Flower: Wild Banana Orchid
There are two varieties of Wild Banana Orchid, one from Grand Cayman and another from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Both varieties have scented flowers with purple lips, although the petals are predominantly white on the Grand Cayman variety, while the Sister Islands' has slightly smaller flowers, with pale yellow petals. The flowers appear at the top of a long-curved spike at the bottom of which cluster banana-like pseudo-bulbs that give this orchid its name.
National Tree: Silver Thatch Palm
The leaves are what give this tree its common name; they are green on the top and silver on the bottom. Up until the 1960s, the silver thatch palm played an important role in the lives of Caymanians. Unusually tough, the leaves have a variety of uses, from roofing for houses to the weaving of hats, baskets and fans. In earlier years, straw rope made from the thatch palm was highly prized in Cuba and Jamaica for use in shipping, fishing and sugar industries. Exporting rope was Cayman's largest source of revenue.
Coat of Arms
The Cayman Islands coat of arms consists of a shield, a crested helm and the motto. Three green stars representing the Islands are set in the lower two-thirds of the shield. The stars rest on blue and white wavy bands representing the sea. In the top third of the shield, against a red background, is a gold lion "passant guardant" (walking with the further forepaw raised and the body seen from the side), representing Great Britain.
Above the shield is a green turtle on a coil of rope. Behind the turtle is a gold pineapple. The turtle represents Cayman's seafaring history and the rope represents its traditional thatch-rope industry. The pineapple shows our ties with Jamaica. The Islands' motto, He hath founded it upon the seas, is printed at the bottom of the shield. This verse from Psalms 24 acknowledges Cayman's Christian heritage.
National Song: Beloved Isle Cayman
Cayman's national song, "Beloved Isle Cayman", was written by the late Mrs. Leila Ross Shier in 1930. Regarded as the unofficial national song for many years, it became the official national song when the Cayman Islands Coat of Arms, Flag and National Song Law was passed in 1993. As a British Overseas Territory, the national anthem is "God Save the King”.
O land of soft, fresh breezes
And verdant trees so fair,
With the Creator's glory
Reflected ev'rywhere,
O sea of palest em'rald,
Merging to darkest blue,
Whene'er my thoughts fly Godward,
I always think of you.
Dear, verdant island, set in blue Caribbean Sea,
I'm coming, coming very soon, o beautious isle, to thee.
Although I wandered far,
My heart enshrines thee yet.
Homeland, fair Cayman Isle,
I cannot thee forget.
Away from noise of cities,
Their fret and carking care,
With moonbeams' soft caresses,
Unchecked by garish glare,
Thy fruit with rarest juices,
Abundant, rich and free,
When sweet church bells are chiming,
My fond heart yearns for thee.
When tired of all excitement
And glam'rous worldly care,
How sweet thy shores to reach
And find a welcome there,
And when comes on the season
Of peace, goodwill to man,
'Tis then I love thee best of all,
Beloved Isle Cayman.
The Traditional Cayman Home
Caymanian homes, known as a ‘wattle and daub’ cottage, date back to the mid-18th century. Houses were usually rectangular, with foundation posts made from termite-resistant ironwood. Gaps between the ironwood or mahogany posts were filled with a basket weave of wattled sticks and then plastered on either side with lime daub made from burnt coral.
The earliest roofs were thatched using palm tree fronds, but in more recent times, wood, shingle or corrugated zinc have been used. Windows were simple openings with wood board shutters, while smoke-pots helped keep out mosquitoes. Normally, these one-storey dwellings would feature a steeply pitched roof. This would keep the houses cooler as hot air rises. The typical sandy yard would have been shaded with seagrape and popnut trees and there would be a separate ‘caboose’ for cooking.
Catboat Regattas
Cayman’s proud maritime history has served to provide many lasting traditions. The Catboat, a sailing boat built for precision, sharp turns and speed, was once used for fishing and turtling in and around Cayman waters, is enjoying a revival thanks to the efforts of the Cayman Islands Catboat Club. Regular regattas are held in Grand Cayman and the sight of these skillfully crafted vessels tacking their way around George Town’s bustling harbour, vying for space amid cruise ships and dive boats, is a truly remarkable snapshot of the juxtaposition of past and present in Cayman.
Traditional Industry
Many years ago, the principal economic mainstay of the Cayman Islands was the hunting of sea turtles. However, there were other industries, including schooner building, sponge harvesting, gathering of seabird eggs, wrecking, guano collecting, catching sharks for the leather industry, felling and removal of hardwoods such as mahogany and cedar, barking of red mangrove trees and cutting of logwood for their use in dyes. Coconuts were exported, cotton was gathered, ropes were made from thatch and, from the late 19th century until the 1960s, Caymanians worked as merchant seamen on commercial ships.
Thatch Weaving & Rope Making
‘Laying rope’ was once one of the few means of making a living for Caymanian women and children while the men were away at sea. This valuable custom has been passed down from generation to generation. The ‘tops’ are the new leaves at the top of the palm, and these are softer and more pliable for making hats and rope. People would often walk for miles, or take small boats to another part of the island, to collect bundles of thatch, which would later be stripped, dried and twisted into fine fathoms of rope. This would then be traded overseas for goods such as cloth, sugar or kerosene.
Folk Music & Dance
Folk music and dance have been a part of Caymanian culture for decades. In order to preserve, celebrate and propagate the musical traditions of the Cayman Islands, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation formed the Cayman Islands Folk Singers. The company exists to help revive the folk music tradition in the Cayman Islands. The work it produces is reflective of the Caymanian image and helps us appreciate our place in the Caribbean region and the wider world. Since its inception, the group has been showcasing Cayman’s rich musical heritage through song. The Folk Singers have an impressive repertoire of Caymanian composition, as well as beloved songs from around the region.
Turtles & Turtling
When the first Europeans came to Cayman, they found one of the largest turtle nesting grounds on Earth. For nearly 200 years, ships of all nations, particularly French, Dutch and English, came to these shores to ‘turn’ green and loggerhead turtles and dry their flesh, an easily obtainable source of protein for ship or plantation stores. Early on, Cayman became the centre of the Caribbean turtle industry. By 1800, the turtle population had dwindled, and the local turtling fleet turned their attention to the south coast of Cuba and the coastline of Central America. Until the early 1960s, Cayman ships still supplied the largest share of turtles entering foreign markets from the Caribbean. These were mostly caught on the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua.
The Cayman Islands officially banned turtle hunting in 1988 and the species is now protected under international conventions. The Department of Environment (DoE) began sea turtle nest monitoring in 1998 and in November 2023 a total of 1,003 nests were counted across the Cayman Islands. Properties on the beach with non-turtle-friendly lighting are the number one major threat to turtle conservation, but property owners are being urged to install amber lights.
Traditional Cayman Cooking
Traditional Cayman food includes dishes made of turtle meat, as well as conch stew, Cayman-style beef, and an old-fashioned fish fry. Although tricky to find in it's authentic form, Caymanian food also includes dishes such as custard-top corn bread, welks and our national drink 'swanky', similar to lemonaid but made with civil oranges and brown sugar. Of all the local deserts, heavy cake is a mainstay. Traditional and easily accessible ingredients include conch, coconut, plantain, cassava, yams, rice and peas, tuna, snapper, mangos and mahi-mahi. Curries are very popular throughout the Caribbean, as are jerk spices, and Jamaican cuisine has found its way onto our menus in the Cayman Islands as well. You can find all of these ingredients in our grocery stores.
Cayman’s Flag
The Cayman Islands Flag, the official ensign, was adopted in 1959, shortly after the Coat of Arms was adopted. There are two versions of the flag - the blue for use on land and the red for use at sea. These are based on the British blue and red ensigns. The land flag has a dark blue field (background), with the "Union" in the corner nearest to the flagstaff. The national arms are shown in a roundel, which is a white circle in the centre of the field. The flag for use at sea has a red field, but everything else is identical.
National Monuments
National monuments and places worth visiting to get a feel for Cayman’s history, culture and environment include Pedro St. James, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Gardens, the Bodden Town Mission House, the Cayman Islands National Museum, Heroes Square, Fort George, and the Cayman Islands National Gallery.
Cayman’s Animals
Sea Turtles
Sea Turtles used to be so numerous in Cayman waters that when Christopher Columbus first visited he called the islands Las Tortugas. The geography of the Islands is particularly suited for turtles’ breeding habits; the low sandy beaches are ideal for turtles to lay their eggs, whilst, in the local lagoons, there is plenty of undersea turtle grass upon which the herbivorous Green Turtle feeds.
Agoutis
Many people assume that the agouti, or Cayman rabbit, is a native species, but this large rodent was actually introduced from Central America in the early 1900s. The animals were transported to Grand Cayman by travelers who brought them here as a food source. They live in monogamous pairs, feeding on fruits and seeds, and act as important seed dispersers. Scientists speculate that agoutis are filling a niche once occupied by the hutia, a similar type of animal, which was endemic to the islands but went extinct shortly after European colonization. An agouti is a lucky sighting, as they are generally very wary, and are usually glimpsed as they hop away into nearby trees. Look out for them in the garden of the Mission House, the Mastic Forest, or in the Botanic Park.
Snakes
There are four species of snakes found on our islands. All are harmless and not a cause for concern. Our beautiful snakes are endemic and found nowhere else in the world – in fact, each island has its own unique subspecies. You are most likely to see the Cayman Racer, a long brownish snake with a gorgeous pink belly. If you’re lucky, you may see a Cayman Ground Boa, also locally called the Lazy or Friendly Snake, a dwarf species of boa whose common names give a good idea of its character. The Cayman Islands are also home to a rare, endemic water snake that makes its home in the mangroves, and a blind snake that burrows in the ground and so is rarely seen by people. These animals are a very important part of our natural ecosystems and none will harm humans, so please respect these fascinating creatures.
Hickatee
A variety of freshwater turtle, hickatees are found in the fresh water and brackish ponds around the islands. They are often seen sunning on logs and will jump in the water when disturbed creating a splash as they disappear. Hickatees are omnivores, feeding on aquatic vegetation and insects, and probably live 25 to 30 years. The absence of fossil remains indicates that hickatees may have been introduced as a food supply long ago by early settlers or indigenous Caribbean people who probably visited our islands on their travels.
Iguanas
Three varieties of iguana inhabit the islands:
The Blue Iguana, is an endangered species endemic to Grand Cayman. This dragon-like lizard has bluish hues and can grow to five feet in length. By 2002, it was estimated that only about a dozen of these iguanas remained, but the National Trust’s captive breeding programme at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Gardens is making great strides in their recovery, with more than 1200 having been released into the wild.
The Common or Green Iguana, on the other hand, is considered an invasive species that contributes to the threats faced by the Blue Iguana. Recently, there were hundreds of thousands of these iguanas on Grand Cayman, but a government sponsored cull program has reduced the population to manageable levels.
Sister Islands Rock Iguana. This iguana is native only to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and is also a protected species. Their population on Cayman Brac is very small, and although they appeared to be thriving on Little Cayman because they live alongside their human neighbours, their population was falling due to predation by feral cats and car fatalities. Little Cayman residents say that recent feral cat control efforts have led to the survival of record numbers of hatchlings! Please be careful when driving as iguanas have the right of way on the roads on Little Cayman.
Bats
Bats are the only mammals native to the Cayman Islands. Nine species of bats have been found in the Cayman Islands. All are rare or very rare and one species is nowhere else in the world other than Grand Cayman. They are vital in maintaining a balanced ecology and harmless to humans.
Birds
Over 200 species of bird are found in the islands, some 50 of which are resident populations. There are 5 seabird colonies and seven bird sanctuaries. Species found in the Cayman Islands include bananaquits, boobies, frigate birds, herons, egrets, ducks, sandpipers and terns. As mentioned above, the national bird is the Grand Cayman Parrot and the Cayman Brac Parrot, both of which are endemic to their respective Islands and both are protected species.
Organisations Preserving Cayman’s Culture
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has, for the last forty years, been preserving Cayman’s cultural heritage and have fostered its artistic expression. They produce much-loved annual events such as Cayfest, Red Sky at Night, Gimmystory and Rundown.
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands houses the National Art Collection and hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year on all three islands covering art, culture and heritage. They also host lectures, give lunchtime tours and their reference library holds many cultural history resources.
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands works very closely with local schools (preschools to university) sharing the importance of preserving Cayman’s unique natural and historic heritage. Age-appropriate and curriculum linked presentations can be delivered on topics such as climate change, plastic pollution, native species, traditional architecture, and our Islands’ history. Field trips to important historic sites and natural areas can also be arranged, including their popular Blue Iguana Conservation Centre.
Finally, there is also Pirates Week, which takes place in November and celebrates Cayman's vibrant culture and the enduring fascination with pirates.
