Jamaica is a true melting pot of ethnicities and groups, and this has led, over time, to a rich and colorful heritage of culture and traditions.
One of the Greater Antilles, Jamaica is situated in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba, and has approximately 3 million people dislocated on an area of about 4 thousand square miles. The island has experienced years of colonization, by Spanish people first and British after, with the consequent arrival of Africans and Asians too, during the harsh years of slave trade.
The language, thus, reflects the Island’s melting pot. The official one is English, so you will find no problem communicating during your stay, but the local dialect that Jamaican residents use actually combines elements of other languages, from Spanish and African dialects, to Irish, British and American phrases. We’re referring to the local creole and patois, a distinctive linguistic style that you’ll likely have heard before. For instance, among the classic sentences you may heard, there is the casual greeting ‘Wah gwaan’, which means ‘What’s up’, or ‘How are you?’. If you’ll hear this, you can answer with the expression ‘Mi deh yah, yuh know’, which means ‘Everything is okay’, and you will sound like a real Jamaican!
The architecture also reflects the synthesis of Spanish, African and baroque British influences. You only have to observe the style of the buildings, the balconies, the arched windows and doors, the brick facades and the stone and wood houses to notice all the traces that different people left as a heritage for the island.
The main religion in Jamaica is Christianity. In fact, you will certainly notice churches everywhere you look! A lot of Jamaican people are deeply religious, and on Sunday the churches can get really full of members. But the religious aspect too is a consequence of the culture variety of Jamaica, as there are also Anglicans, Catholics and Baptists, as well as Presbyterians, Methodists and Seventh Day Adventists. Not only that: Jamaica is also home to many communities of Jews, Muslims, Hindus and, of course, Rastafarians.
Jamaican clothing is another distinctive aspect you will notice during your holidays. It is surely influenced by the Rastafarian culture, as well as the tropical weather, that requires light, flowy and easy-going clothes. They are usually made from natural fabrics, like cotton and linen, and they are usually in red, yellow and green, with reference to the Ethiopian flag and African descent. The national flag of Jamaica can also be seen, proudly worn by Jamaicans as clothing articles. It is the most recognizable pattern and can be easily seen worn by at least one family member. The Rastafarian outfit is also often completed with a hat, which will contain the wearer’s dreadlocks. The traditional Rastafarian hat is known as a “tam”. Jamaican fashion style in two words? Simple and vibrant!
How can we not mention Jamaican cuisine? It may get repetitive, but it is obviously the product of years and years of close coexistence of different populations and cultures. It includes a mixture of cooking techniques, flavors and spices influenced by African, Irish, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese, who inhabited the land. The cuisine has tropical fruits, seafood and meat as main staple food. We spoke in detail about Jamaican cuisine in a dedicated article, check it out to know more about what you will able to taste during your Jamaican holidays. Careful, it is mouth-watering!
So, this guide was just a quick overview of Jamaican rich culture and tradition. Are you ready to go and discover them firsthand? There is so much to experience. Be ready to create wonderful, unforgettable memories.
