| ca is one of the most popular tourist destinations in | | | | traditional bug-filled beds of soggy straw which lay on |
| the Caribbean, but this country is also called home by | | | | the ground. |
| millions of people. Most tourists never learn about the | | | | Jamaica’s culture is deeply rooted in religion. |
| history of the Jamaican people, but if you’re | | | | Due to the high number of missionary immigrants |
| planning to vacation here, you will enjoy and | | | | initially, Christianity is by far the strongest religion in |
| understand it more if you better understand their | | | | this country. However, an offshoot of traditional |
| culture. | | | | Christianity called Rastafari developed in Jamaica, and |
| Early History of Jamaica | | | | this religion (made more famous in the Western |
| The history of Jamaica begins with the natives that | | | | World by musician Bob Marley) is the backbone to |
| inhabited the island before Christopher Columbus | | | | much of Jamaica’s musical and spiritual |
| discovered it in 1494. These people, the Taino, were | | | | practices. This religious sect is based on the Old |
| the original residents of the island, but they quickly | | | | Testament with the belief that Haile Selassie of |
| died out with the arrival of Spanish colonists. They | | | | Ethiopia is the true descendant of Christianity. |
| were peaceful people and thrived in the agricultural | | | | Jamaican Music |
| industry. The smallpox epidemic that European | | | | Music is one of the most important parts of Jamaican |
| settlers brought to Jamaica caused their ultimate | | | | culture, in part due to its strong ties to the church. |
| extinction. Today, there are no known direct | | | | This small nation is home to a number of musical |
| descendants of the Taino people, but branches of | | | | genres, including reggae, dance hall, and ska. This is |
| the same family tree from other tribes do still exist in | | | | also the birthplace of toasting, a chant/speech style |
| Puerto Rico, Aruba, and parts of South America. Due | | | | of music with a strong beat, which is said to be one |
| to intermarrying, however, some of the inhabitants | | | | of the grandfathers of today’s rap and |
| of Jamaica may still carry a Taino bloodline. | | | | hip-hop culture. Some of the most famous Jamaican |
| Jamaica, like the United States, is known as a melting | | | | musicians include Bob Marley, The Skatalites, Alton |
| pot due to European settlement, most of which was | | | | Ellis, Peter Tosh, Beenie Man, and most recently Sean |
| British. This was also a hub for slavery in the | | | | Kingston. In addition, a number of artists have cited |
| Americas until 1838, when the practice was abolished | | | | Jamaican music as an influence in their work. These |
| by the English who still owned the island. During this | | | | artists include rock bands such as The Clash and The |
| time period, Jamaica was also a hot spot for pirates. | | | | Police, and rap artists Wu-Tang Clan. |
| It remained in British control on varying levels until the | | | | Dance is quite important in Jamaican culture. These |
| 1960s. | | | | include both religious types of dancing, which are an |
| Jamaican Language and Religion | | | | integral part of ceremonies, and secular dancing, |
| Because of this port-based country’s draw | | | | which is a response to the reggae, ska, and dance |
| for various groups of people, the culture you will find | | | | hall music that became so popular in this country in |
| on this island is a mixture of the cultures of the | | | | the 20th century. Other nearby islands, like Trinidad |
| native people, most of whom are Spanish and English | | | | and Tobago, also influenced dance in Jamaica. |
| settlers, African slaves, and tourists from around the | | | | Jamaica Today |
| world who decided to move to this island. English is | | | | Today, Jamaica is still a melting pot of cultures. Over |
| the official language of the country, but most people | | | | all cultures, however, the focus has slowly been |
| speak Jamaican Patois, which some consider to be an | | | | shifting to tourism and the environment, and today |
| English dialect while others consider it to be a | | | | most major cruise lines have ships that port in |
| separate language. | | | | Jamaica. There is also a keen awareness of the |
| Although Jamaica is a small country with under three | | | | decline in healthy coral reefs in this country, and a |
| million inhabitants, its culture has influenced the world. | | | | movement to bring them back. |
| Without Tainos-influenced Jamaica, we would not | | | | Jamaica might be a tiny island, but this country has a |
| have words such as canoe, hammock, and barbecue. | | | | big personality. If you’re traveling to Jamaica, |
| The hammock is an ever-popular way to relax in the | | | | take a moment to find out more about the culture |
| sun, and in the 16th century, Jamaicans created | | | | of the Jamaican people. They are some of the most |
| hammocks as a way to change sailors’ | | | | friendly, welcoming people you’ll ever meet. |
| sleeping quarters. It was much cleaner than the | | | | |