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When Lovers Leap: The legendary story of two lovers who risked it all.

Jamaica Folklore and History, Legends.

Weh yuh know 'bout love eeh?! Weh yuh know 'bout it? Yuh think yuh know real love? Would you risk your life for the one you love?

Check out this story!

It was the 1700s, massive sugar plantations dominated the Jamaican landscape. The British Crown controlled the politics of the day, and people of African descent were still slaves.

Richard Chardley, owner of the Yardley Chase Plantation owned a house slave he called Mizzy. As the girl grew she became more beautiful and began to draw the interest of the slave owner. It was his desire to have her for himself, and began showering her with gifts to gain her affection.


Any male slave who took an interest in Mizzy was severely punished or sold off to prevent any romantic relationship from developing.


One day however, Mizzy met and fell in love with a handsome male slave by the name of Tunkey.

To avoid the ire of their slave master Mizzy and Tunkey would meet late in the night, no doubt a serious risk, for if found out it would mean death or being separated from each other. Legend says that Chardley set the other slaves to spy on Mizzy and so eventually found out about the burgeoning romance.

Enraged by jealousy, Chardley made arrangements to have Tunkey sold. Thus separating the pair, so he could have Mizzy to himself.  The lovers discovered the plot and decided to run away together so they could bask in their love unhindered.

They fled at night. When Chardley realised they were missing he and a search party went looking so that he could separate the two and punish them for their insolence.

Hearing the gang behind them, the lovers, Mizzy and Tunkey began hastening their steps, racing to the edge of what is now known as Lover's Leap.

Tourists who visit the site admit that it is a breathtaking view. You can see the beautiful southern coastline of the island from Rocky Point, Clarendon in the east, to Pedro Bluff, Treasure Beach in the west and the mountains acting as the perfect backdrop; below the wild, crashing waves of the Caribbean Sea.

The cliff that they stood on is itself a formidable sight, approximately a 1600 feet drop into the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Onlookers to this tale could say it was the proverb: "between the devil and the deep blue sea" come to life!


 
 As Chardley and his search party advanced up the cliff to recapture them, they had to make a decision: Surrender and face punishment,  and a lifetime apart or, be together not matter what. It seemed that there was no way to escape, there were at the edge of the cliff and they could not evade Chardley now.

Not bearing to live separated from each other, Mizzy and Tunkey chose to hold hands and jump off the cliff together so they could be with each other, if only in the afterlife.

Today, their love is commemorated by the location being called Lover's Leap and a wooden carving shown above is placed at the site as a symbol of their dedication to each other.

Fast forward in our modern time, erected on the site is a majestic lighthouse which is powered by electricity, battery and generator. There is also the Lover's Leap Restaurant serving some of the most delicious Jamaican cuisine and also ancient artifacts: domestic tools from a bygone era on display before the restaurant's entrance.

For nature lovers there is also a scenic three mile trail that goes all the way down to Cutlass Bay, we were told however that the waters of the Bay are a little rough and not safe for swimming.



References:
Jamaica National Heritage Trust. Lover's Leap. 
http://www.jnht.com/site_lovers_leap.php
Jamaica Travel and Culture. Lover's Leap. http://www.jamaicatravelandculture.com/destinations/st_elizabeth/lovers-leap.htm
Senbelz.com.
Jamaica Folklore, The Legend of Lover's Leap (A True Story).
https://www.google.com/amp/s/sunbelz.com/2016/01/20/jamaican-folklore-the-legend-of-lovers-leap-a-true-story/amp/
Photo retrieved from: Jamaica National Heritage Trust website.










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