Jamaica Culture

Jamaica culture embodies a rich blend of culture that has long ago inhabited the island. Often called a nation “out of many, one people”, Jamaica culture is a many-sided mixture of international traditions and customs, from its ancestors of Spanish and British settlers, to the West African slaves who brought cultural elements, to the East Asian and Indian immigrants who arrived at the island as indentured servants.

The Taino Indians had the biggest influence on language and food in Jamaica culture. In fact, the name Jamaica comes from the Taino word Xaymaca “the land of wood and water”. Other words of Taino influence are Cohiba for Tobacco, Tabaco for the pipe from which they smoke, and Hamaca for hammocks used as beds. Influence on food includes maize, cassava, waterfowl, and seafood. The diet of Taino’s became the diet of the early Spanish colonists, and the native plants remained through time, although manatees and iguanas are not part of the present-day Jamaican diet.

The Rastafari are the best known part of Jamaica culture through the reggae music and Rastafarians who are popular all over the world for playing uniquely syncopated style arising from another Jamaican sound. An artist like Bob Marley, from Kingston Jamaica is definitely the best known performer of this Jamaica style of music. Rastafarianism is a Jamaica religion that is based on the Christian King James Bible, which is read in an Ethiopianist way. A number of “rastas” carry their hair in dreadlocks and others eat only l-tal food which is like a vegan diet where they stay away from certain foods. Rastafarianism however, does not have a well-defined doctrine. However, Jamaica is predominantly a Christian country with big groups of Anglicans, Baptists, and Roman Catholics.

Jamaica culture has always made dancing a part of it. Dance has always been significant on Jamaica even from before till the present. Dances of early folks often served religious purposes or were connected with religious holidays. Newly, dances have become linked with the music of Jamaica specifically dancehall styles. Jamaican dances have more than thirty unique dances identified with seven main styles. The styles include Myal, Maroon, Revival, Jonkonnu, Hosay, Rastafari, and Kumina. The Hosay and Jonkonnu are regarded as secular dances regardless of Jonkonnu being performed around Christmas time. The possibly best-known Revival or religious style which still exists today is the Pukkumina.

The cuisine of Jamaica culture is as diverse as the people and as unique as the island. “Likkle Bickle” is one thing that Jamaican people love, since the island is blessed with great tropical climate that brings forth various plants and fruits such as an assortment of mangoes that names have simply become numbers. Jamaica cuisine just seems to have a touch of flavor and sweetness that makes it inevitably part of the spirit of Jamaica culture.