Music Plays an Integral Part of Jamaica's Cultural Identity

Music lovers around the world continue to seek allafter emancipation. This type of music involves
inclusive travel to global cities with strong music ties.rhythmic drumming and dancing and is often used at
In the United States, New Orleans, Seattle and Newmajor life events such as births and deaths, weddings
York are just a few of the cities where music hasand anniversaries.
become a part of the cultural fabric. On the globalDrawing from both European and African styles,
landscape, this music tradition continues, especially inMento represents Jamaica's folk music. Generally, this
Jamaica where Reggae, Kumina, Mento and Jonkunnustyle of music showcases a wide variety of
create a diverse, uniquely Jamaican sound for visitors.instruments, including drums, flutes and brass. Many
All inclusive holidays are a great way to travelmusic historians credit Mento as the basis for the
without worrying about hidden costs. Most beachevolution for the aforementioned reggae. Certainly
resorts offer some type of live music, with Reggaethere is the trend to draw from other music styles in
representing one of the islands most popular sounds.creating future music trends, as seen in the Jamaican
The late Bob Marley put reggae and Jamaica on themusic community.
map with his music. His lasting contribution to thisJonkunnu is a type of music that resembles a play
music style continues abroad as artists from Damianand is generally performed around the Christmas
Marley to Sean Paul who have infused traditionalholidays. Its Christmastime-origins come from the fact
songs with a native reggae sound. He also inspiredthat it was the lone holiday that slaves were allowed
artists to continue evolving the reggae sound withto celebrate during the calendar year. With the fife
cultural reggae and Dub reggae. While his songsplaying in the background and dancers elaborately
continue to be played around the island, new reggaecostumed and masked, Jonkunnu is still very much a
artists continue to experiment and create the reggaepart of the country's national identity. The Jamaican
sounds of the future.government annually sponsors Jonkunnu in its carnival
Just because you're on a Caribbean all inclusiveand at other commissioned events. This support
vacation doesn't mean that you have to listen toensures that Jamaicans and visitors alike will be able
reggae alone. Kumina has a strong African sound, andto experience the richness and history of Jonkunnu's
workers brought it to the island from the Congosongs, dances and sounds.