About Jamaican Traditions
When it comes to the traditions and cultures of the island of Jamaica, the first thought for many is the history of reggae music and musician/cultural icon Bob Marley. But to only consider the musical heritage of this Caribbean destination is to ignore its deep history steeped in community, holiday rituals and celebration--often determined by where a group lives on the island.
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History
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Before breaking down aspects of tradition, the origins of the people of Jamaica must be considered. Ethnically speaking, the people are a diverse group. Its original founders were among the Arawak natives, whose population dwindled due to the introduction of smallpox after the island was claimed by Christopher Columbus and other Spanish explorers from the early 1500s to the mid-1600s. After this period, it was then claimed by the British after several pirate raids. Sugar cane plantations and coffee production became paramount at this time, mostly through the use of island slavery. Jamaica later became part of the triangular slave trade routes spanning England, Africa and the Caribbean. This constant introduction of new cultures ultimately led to Jamaica's unique culture and traditions. By the mid- to late-1900s, the themes of the Jamaican culture revolved around its native people reclaiming their lands. In 1962, they were finally granted political independence, which has continued to this day.
Geography
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Jamaica is the largest island among the Greater Antilles (one of three island chains in the Caribbean Sea). The island is 145 miles long and about 50 miles wide and is situated south of Cuba.
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Holidays
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Generally speaking, the people of Jamaica invest much of their tradition in national holidays, from Christmas and the New Year, to Easter. Much of this involves the celebration of cuisine, such as sorrel, pudding at Christmas or fried fish for Lent. One distinct cultural routine is the Nine Night, usually performed as part of a funeral. The event consists of the community coming together to share songs, condolences and food to ease the family of the deceased. One of the more humorous traditions of the Jamaican people centers around the wedding, during which the bride and groom parade down the streets while friends shout comments.
Expert Insight
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Family is quintessential to Jamaican life. Because of the close-knit communities within the island, the people are actually known for their distrust of authority. As such, many are often considered "standoff-ish," until they became familiar with someone new. Once a friendship is earned, however, the people are considered very social.
Religion
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The primary religion is pocomania, a blend of European Christianity and African religious practices. The second foremost religion is the more well-known Rastafarianism, practiced mostly by the rural people of the island.
Cuisine
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Because of the diverse group of cultures on the island, Jamaican cuisine is distinct. One of the most well-known aspects of this is "jerk," the dry-rubbed style barbecue of meats, using allspice, hot peppers, cloves, cinnamon, garlic, salt and onion. The national dish of Jamaica may be salted codfish, but foods more distinctive to the people are based on a mixture of African, Indian and English cuisine. Examples of this diet include fried plantains, steamed cabbage and the use of curry to season goat meat. The Jamaican people remain one of the largest consumers of tea among the Caribbean islands, which is considered a remnant of past British rule.
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