Jamaican People: Traditions, Art and Culture

Jamaica is a small country that is an island (known as island nation) that is part of the Greater Antilles, located in the Caribbean Sea, less than 150km away from Cuba. The name of the country comes from the name coined by its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno inhabitants "Xaymaca", which means "Land of Springs". Jamaica is a relatively young country that achieved independence in 1962. Earlier known as Santiago under the Spanish colonization, Jamaica is now a Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as the current head of state and Queen of Jamaica.

JAMAICA, The Land of Springs

Jamaica has a rich cultural heritage. Here is an account of Jamaica with respect to its people, traditions, art and culture.

The Jamaican People
Jamaica has a diverse and rich culture. They are a multiracial society. Most of the people originate from Africa. The Europeans brought Africans to Jamaica, mainly for slavery. Some of them ran away; they are known as 'Maroons'. Since those times the Maroons have developed some traditions that they still follow. Next to Africans, most Jamaicans are multiracial, or of Indian or Chinese origin.

The Europeans (Spanish, Germans, Scottish, Irish and English) and the African dominate in the Jamaican people. The African is the most dominant. The Chinese, Indians, Lebanese, Syrians, Jewish and Scottish are also present. However, ask a person living in Jamaica, and he/she will simply say "I am a Jamaican!"

Jamaicans are friendly, amusing, warm and kind. The Jamaican tradition, food, religion, language, arts and craft are influenced by the different nations that make up their culture. Jamaica has scenic beauty which acts as an inspiration to its people.

Jamaican language
The official language is English. English has been the national language for more than 300 years. However, most likely you will hear what sounds like a foreign tongue. This unique language is called "Patois". Patois is a combination of mainly English and African; it is a Creole-language. However, you may also find hints of Spanish and Portuguese. The language somehow sounds more rhythmic than traditional English. However, don't be too shocked if you hear a new word every now and then - Jamaicans are known to make up their own words to suit the topic they are speaking about!

Jamaican sports
The popular games in Jamaica are cricket, polo, soccer, golf and bicycle racing. The Jamaicans are known for their passion for sports. However, though cricket is the most popular game, Jaqmaicans outshine other countries particularly when it comes to Track and Field. Jamaica has had some of the best sprinters in the world. Children train young as athletes. Did you know Olympic and World Champion Usain Bolt (the world record holder for best time at 100m and 200m for men) is a Jamaican? The former record holder Donald Quarrie was also a Jamaican.

Jamaican art and traditions
Jamaican art depicts Jamaican everyday life. This is expressed by sculptures, paintings, collage and craft works. This is a profound shift from the more abstract type of European art and even the more morbid African type of art that focuses a lot on history. Jamaican art generally does not focus on history.

Jamaican traditions help in defining the culture of the society. They are ritualistic acts that are carried out over a specific period of time or at a specific event. This is fundamental to the Jamaican culture. The most popular Jamaican traditions are for most national holidays, such as Sorrel, Christmas cake, pudding at Christmas time, Fried fish, lent at Easter time and other national holidays. Rituals such as the famed Nine Night after the death of a loved one are a popular tradition.

Jamaican clothing and food
Due in part to strong English influence, Jamaicans are modest and conservative dressers. The display of skin is frowned upon generally. The people in Jamaica wear colorful robes which are draped over soft linen underneath. They wear this typical clothing along with hats which match their robes.

The way Jamaican people get food is not by going to the local grocery store but by going to a traditional market in the middle of town. They carry the food items back home by balancing a basket on the top of their heads with the food inside. Jamaicans have their distinctive cuisine. Their national dish is Ackkee and Saltfish. The spicy jerk pork and jerk chicken is also a favorite. It is a style characteristic of Jamaica, but is being liked and adopted worldwide. Some Jamaicans prefer vegetarian dishes. Fruits and vegetables abound here and form the main part of many recipes. Spices unique to Jamaica are used in food. Their national drink is Jamaican rum. Blue mountain coffee is also served.

Jamaican culture
Jamaican culture has a lot of world flavors and is rather vibrant and colorful.

Religion - Religion is very important to the Jamaican people. In Jamaica mainly Christianity is followed. It is said that Jamaica has the maximum churches per square mile in the world. However, followers of Rastafari movement also dominate Jamaica. Bahá'í Faith of Jamaica is also a well-known and important religion / religious movement. Since 2003, National Baha'i Day is celebrated on the 25th of July.

Dance and music - It forms an integral part of Jamaican culture. Reggae is only the most popular genre. Bob Marley, a Rastafarian, a reggae artist, and the single most important person in bringing Rastafari movement and Jamaican music a world audience, is regarded the most popular Jamaican ever! Other singers such as Sly Dunbar, Shaggy, Melody Makers, Shabba Ranks, Black Uhuru and Robby Shakespeare have won Grammy Awards in the Reggae category.

Literature, Theater and Films - Derek Walcott, a Nobel laureate, Claude McKay and Louis Simpson are all noted authors who originated from Jamaica. On the other hand, as far as theater is concerned, Louise Bennett, Andrew Salkey and Mikey Smith made significant contribution to patois plays. Jamaica also hold the annual film event called "The Reggae Film Festival" in Kingston every year, in the month of February.

Jamaica in Popular Culture - The setting of many James Bond stories is based in Jamaica. Author H. G. de Lisser also used Jamaica as a setting in many of his novels. And who can forget the Tom Cruise starrer film Cocktail? That film too, had a Jamaican setting. Another path-breaking film was the music film The Harder They Come, featuring the delinquent youth of Jamaica.

National Symbols - Following are official national symbols of Jamaica.

1. National Tree: Blue Mahoe
2. National Flower: Lignum vitae
3. National Fruit: Ackee
4. National Bird: Red-billed Streamertail (aka Doctor Bird); a type of Hummingbird

As you must have now realized, the Jamaicans have a rich and diverse cultural heritage that reflects in everything from their language, to their food, to their art and culture. The Jamaican racial heritage has resulted in Jamaicans referring to each other as 'Coolie', 'Miss Chin', 'Syrian', 'Browning', 'Whitie' and 'Reds'. It's the Jamaican way of making good-natured fun of their mixed racial heritage. The Jamaicans truly live by their national motto - Out of Many, One People.