Garrison

noun GA-rri-son ˈɡarɪsn̩

Also spelled garrison community, garrison

An inner-city community that votes solidly for one political party and is controlled by it (and often by an allied 'don'). Garrison communities emerged from Jamaica's tribal politics, offering housing and protection in exchange for loyalty, and are tied to both community solidarity and political violence.

  • Him grow up inna a tough garrison downtown.

    He grew up in a tough garrison community downtown.

  • Di garrison vote one way every election.

    The garrison votes one way every election.

  • Di don run tings inna di garrison.

    The don runs things in the garrison community.

From 'garrison' (a fortified, defended place); applied to politically-fortified voting communities in urban Jamaica.

A politically-controlled inner-city community; central to understanding Jamaican politics and 'area don' culture. See [[area-don]].