Jamaica

Introduction

Jamaica; a small Caribbean island with a lot to offer. Jamaica is a place both rich in culture and resources, with its beautiful beaches and mountain range and the energetic positive atmosphere throughout their streets and villages. Sun's almost always shining here, even when it rains. Their unique music and delicious food just makes you want to jump up and dance with your hands held high. Many Jamaicans have a deep love of this country and they aren't afraid to show it. Jamaica itself still has forests, waterfalls, caves, crystal clear waters, and a plethora of historical sites rich with information on the island's unique heritage. Let's also not forget the amazing view of the Blue mountains when the sun is just about setting over their peaks. There's just so much this island has to offer, so go and explore it for yourself and see this amazing island in the middle of the Caribbean. It takes someone willing to step out of the box to go to places like this, so ask yourself; can you step out of the box?

Tri-Cultural Cuisine

My Experience With Jamaica

Most of my trip to Jamaica was great, but I did do something really stupid while there. I went with my mom to Jamaica for a couple days and stayed there with family. I'd never been to Jamaica before so obviously I was very excited to be here. Except for when we went on the roads. I'm pretty sure I died somewhere on one of those roads and that I'm actually just a sprite, but I can't be sure. Literally like most of the drive to our relative's house was on these roads almost right next to drop offs or steep hills WITHOUT railings. It safe to say at every house we did stay at, their were mosquitoes to be found. Unfortunately, my mom actually did go to the hospital for mosquito bites too when we got back. As for me, 90% of my body was bumps, but luckily I survived. Well coming to that part about me doing that really stupid thing, let me just explain some things. We stayed in 2 or 3 houses if I remember correctly, and the house I'm recounting to you was the one with a TV I could watch. At this point in time I was also pretty young so understandably, TV was like the best thing ever. SO, while I was staying at this house, eating guineps, and whatever, I was watching some Disney movie I can't even remember the name of. Watched it the first time, cool, nothing happens. Now the same movie I just watch, I see is coming up again, so being little me I'm so focused on doing that, that mistakes were made. Two times, twice, I had the ooportunity to make some amazing memories. First my Uncle came by to ask if I wanted to go fishing with his daughter, then someone asked if I wanted to go to the beach. You know what I did? Watched a flipping Disney XD movie twice instead of doing that. Freaking idiot... I did have an enjoyable trip though after that. Saw a lot of family at an event, explored a bit more of Jamaica, just didn't manage to go to the beach or fish. Anyways it's a very nice place, and if you have the opportunity, I would suggest the visit.

More On Culture And Traditions

Arts

With such rich cultural backgrounds, it woould be hard for a country like this to not be a little artsy. Many jamaicans are excellent sculptors and painters. They often make scenes of everyday Jamaican life or of an important figure to them. This is similar to the Taino indians of which Jamaicans originate from. Dancing is extremely popular througout all of Jamaica. Dances are almost always packed with energy and involve tons of movement. Although who can blame them, for what's there not to dance about? As far as music, you already know reggae is strongly embedded inside the country. Reggae has become popular almost all of the world. In Jamaica it's especially popular with rastafaris. People can be found just about everywhere in Jamaica listening to this upbeat style of music.

Cuisine

Cuisine is another thing also influenced by Jamaica's different backgrounds. Jerk, for example came from the Taino Indians. Other dishes have backgrounds in mediterranean countries such as some of the dishes using fish. Jamaicans have a variety of different foods but out of all of them I would say ackee, fish, and plantains are probably the most popular foods. Stews and soups are also very popular in jamaica. Gungo pea soup, stew peas, and beef soup are eaten often here too. The thing that matters most though is if the food is tasty, and I can vouch for that to say the food is magnificent. Check out more on the home page.

Events and CelbratIons

Jamaicans celebrate international holdiays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, but they also celbrate a few other more specific days. Many of their celbrations are usually for monumental days in their history. Aug 6 for example is the National day of independence for Jamaicans. Usually a parade is held for this that goes to the Jamaican National Stadium located in Kingston. Other festivals such as Jerk festival have also become popular in Jamaica and around the world, where you can buy jerk dishes and other jamaican foods sold by vendors. A Christmas celbration called the Junkonoo is also quite popular where people dress up in scary costumes and dance through the streets. The reggae music festival and Bob Marley's birthday is also celbrated nationally in Jamaica, and they're both huge events. Jamaicans really do love to celebrate so it's no surprise they have so many festivals. They're a very eneregetic people and celbrations like these are just what they need.

Language

Jamaica's official language is English/Jamaican Standard English, but you'll notice their english is not how you'd normally thin it. The dialect Jamaican's speak is called Patois, or what I like to call, broken up english. Seriously, at any of my Jamaican family gatherings, I was pretty sure I there wasn't word of proper english spoken. Then you got the family memebers that assume you understand strong patois, and I'm just sitting there saying "ummmmm." There are actually "different levels" of patois you could say. Some people speak patois closely enough to english that you can hear some similarities. Now the rastafarians who you can just tell have never left the island of Jamaica, 9 times out of 10 you'll think they're speaking straight pig latin. Patois takes some getting used to if you've never heard it before, but once you do get used to it, you can understand a bit better and just assume what they're saying.

Religion

Christianity is definitely the most popular religion in Jamaica. Often you'll see Jamaican celebrating Easter Sunday and Good Fridays by eating fish and saying prayers together. Most of the time the faith is passed along to their children as well so it's hard to see that dying out anytime soon. Other religions are practiced though like Islam and Buddhidsm, as well as a religion called Santeria. The majority of Jamaica practices some religion though, whether be Christianity or another faith.