subject: The Rich Culture Of Jamaica [print this page] There is no place else on earth like JamaicaThere is no place else on earth like Jamaica. The people, music, art and food you will encounter while there will be like nothing you have ever known. Jamaica is a country made up of people from a wide range of national, ethnic and racial origins; all of these distinct groups have merged to create a culture unlike any other.
Jamaica is known for its hospitality and Jamaica hotels are a prime example of the welcoming and generous nature of the native population. Staffed by working-class Jamaicans, your hotel will feel like a home-away-from-home and pretty much anything that you need is right there at your fingertips. If it's not there, all you have to do is ask and the staff will help you find just want you're looking for.
The heritage of the Jamaican people is that of a rich and diverse mixture of populations, with cultures from around the world mingling on the shores of this island nation for hundreds of years. Jamaicans are an honest and open people who understand that all of their racial and ethnic differences are part of what makes them unique. They are accustomed to speaking quite openly about these topics and have a somewhat brassy or bantering manner of speaking to one another that outsiders may find difficult to understand at first. You should never take this type of speech offensively, as it is simply the manner in which Jamaicans are able to live so easily with a wide range of people on a tiny island.
You will see every shade of skin imaginable among the native population. There are people who have descended from the aboriginal Taino inhabitants of the island, African slaves, Chinese or Indian indentured servants, and Spanish, French and British colonists. You'll also find North and South American, African, Middle Eastern and East Asian immigrants among those residing in present-day Jamaica.
The unique mixture of people who made their way to Jamaica over the centuries has created a rich cultural heritage and the music, food, language and religion of the island reflects this history. While the official language of the nation is English, you will find people speaking a variety of languages on the island. One of the most common will be Jamaican Creole which is a mixture of English, Spanish and various African languages. There are still a number of words of the Arawak Taino language used in contemporary Jamaica as well. Distinct dialects can be found throughout the island and may vary from village to village.
Jamaican cuisine mixes cultural influences as well. You'll find Caribbean spices to be abundantly used in Jamaican food and one of the most popular items on local menus will be "jerk." This is a marinade that is frequently used in flavoring meats but can also be found as a sauce on other foods as well. As Jamaica is an island nation, seafood is also very commonly consumed.
Jamaicans may be members of every faith imaginable. The island is home to a variety of Christian denominations, though Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Presbyterianism are perhaps the most common as a result of the colonial influences of the Spanish and British. There are also Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Jews among the Jamaican populous. In smaller numbers, you will find other faiths as well.
The largest numbers of non-Christian Jamaicans are Rastas or Rastafarians. Rastafari is a religion native to the island and one that has made an impact throughout the world. It began in the 1930s and was a movement that empowered non-white Jamaicans to seek a more traditional, non-Christian approach to spirituality. It has influences of the Taino people but primarily takes its beliefs from African traditions. The religion is uniquely Jamaican though, despite its influences, and has gained popularity around the world.
The Jamaica culture is known throughout the world for its rich music and dance. Various forms of Jamaican music like dancehall, reggae, ska and mento have made an impact the world over. There are even forms of Israeli reggae these days.
Jamaican music and dance both have influences from the various cultures which have created the unique present-day Jamaican culture. Some of the most powerful and recognizable influences are those of the various African cultures which were brought to the island by slaves. You will also recognize pieces of Celtic, Spanish, and Asian music and dance in the Jamaican tradition.
The Jamaican visual arts are striking and you'll find painting, sculpture and handcrafts are all very common on the island. You'll likely find at least one piece of art that you want to bring home with you
