Jamaica

Sarah DobovichBecky LaPointe

Tahj MickeyErica Mueller

Kyle O’Connor

History• Prior to 1494, Jamaica was inhabited by the Arawaks who lived

in small communities based on fishing hunting and small scale cultivation

• The Spanish arrived in 1494 and they decimated the native population

• Disappointed by the lack of gold and silver, the Spanish used Jamaica from 1494 to 1655 as a base to support conquering the Americas

• During this time, the main economic supply was domestic consumption

• In 1655, Jamaica was occupied by the British who used it as a slave economy and was beneficial to the prosperity of British plantation owners

• All slaves were eventually emancipated by 1838

HistoryAfter the slaves were freed many of them

became farmers retreating to the mountains far away from their former plantations becoming peasants during this time the export of sugar declined rapidly but the exports of bananas coffee and Longwood supplemented the economy and drew Jamaica’s economy away from the dependence of sugar this period of slave freedom and economy diversion lasted till 1938

Jamaica’s rebellion against England began in 1938 with many leaders of political parties being hailed as heroes with a self-government being established in 1944 and officially being recognized by England in 1962

Music

• Reggae was first developed in the late 1960’s• Originated from Ska and Rocksteady• The Wailers, a band started by Bob Marley,

Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer in 1963, are perhaps the most recognized band that made the transition through all three stages of early Jamaican popular music

• Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica

Sports• Most popular sport is cricket• Exception international Track and Field team• Arthur Wint was the first Jamaican Olympic Gold Medalist, winning the

400 m at the 1948 Summer Olympics• Usain Bolt is the men’s world record and Olympic record holder in the

100 meters, the 200 meters and (along with his teammates) the 4 x 100 meters relay

• Shellly-Ann Fraser is the women’s world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 m

• The Jamaican Bobsled Team first gained fame during its debut in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games (well known from its portrayal in the 1993 film Cool Runnings)

• In the 1994 Winter Olympics, Jamaican four sled finished in 14th place, ahead of the United States, Russia, Australia, France and one sled from Italy

Tourism

• Began in the 19th century as people from North America were looking to escape the cold winters

• Tourism began a rapid increase after WW1 due to advancements in transportation that made it easier for people to travel from country to country

• When people first started visiting Jamaica the numbers were below a few thousand. Today, more than one million people visit every year many of them arriving on cruise ships

• Because of Jamaica’s white sand beaches, many popular tourist destinations are located along the north coast in cities such as Montego Bay and Port Antonio

Differences

• Jamaica is an island where as the United States is a constitutional republic composed of 50 states

• The time frame is different in Jamaica• The dollar values are different• $1.00 in the United States is worth almost $85.00• Food: Jamaican foods tend to have more spices• A lot of the clothes and fabrics are different• Kids are given more responsibility at a younger age and

expected to do much more. They get jobs at younger ages than people do in America

• The weather is different (it is much hotter in Jamaica)

Similarities

• One of the many things that people think is that marijuana is legal out in Jamaica. This is false just like in the United States weed is illegal in Jamaica

• The native language of both Jamaica and America is English (even though Jamaicans do speak with a heavy accent)

• Jamaica has its ghettos and bad places just like the United States.

• People often see Jamaica as a big nice island with no bad parts. But in reality there are places with high crime rates.

Norms & Traditions• Jamaica motto is “Out Of Many, One People”• Believe that the woman’s place is in the home. (They receive less remuneration

than men) Men’s place is outside the home, working in agriculture, business, government and recreation. This is slowly changing.

• Their domestic units are made up of: grandmother, mother, and off spring from current or previous unions. The father may be present all the time, he may be absent, or come for visit for periods at a time. They also usually include children of kin from other households.

• Politeness and Courtesy are highly valued as being “raised well”. It’s expressed through greetings – especially the young to their elders.

• Children never backtalk parents or elders.• Men are expected to open doors for women and perform the heavy tasks for

women• Women are expected to “serve” men in domestic units and traditionally give

adult males and guests the best part of the meal.

Religion• African Caribbean practice: Puk-Kumina,

Revivalism, Kumina, Myalism, Rastafarianism• Rastafaraiansim is the most commonly practiced.

Worship an Ethiopian emperor Haile Seiassie or Ras Tafari. They believe that males should not comb or cut their hair. Marijuana is used as Rastafarian sacrament (also for medical aid)

• Leaders are usually charismatic men and women who are said to have special “gifts” or to be “called”

Rituals• “Preaching” meetings along with healing rituals and

ceremonies such as thanksgiving, ancestral veneration, memorial ceremonies

• Include: drumming, singing, dancing, and spiritual possession

• Places rituals are held are considered holy. Including churches, “balm yards”, silk cotton trees, burial grounds, baptism sites, rivers and crossroads.

• Death is considered a natural transformation. Except for the very old. Its believed to be violation of cultural norm, evil spirit, envy.

Food: Drinks:

Jerk Chicken (Main Course) Rich Coffee with Rum

Curry Goat (Main Course) Irish Moss, Ting, Grapefruit soda, Cucumber

Fried Dumplings Juice, Sky Juice, Tamarind Sweet Juice

Oxtail

Salt Fish (cod)

Steamed Cabbage

Exotic Fruits

Jamaican CuisineJamaican foods contain a mixture of many spices and eclectic/ acquired

tastes that the island people would consider especially appetizing. These dishes are created by many different cultures brought over by new settlers and arrivals of people from elsewhere.

A typical Jamaican breakfast would include ackee, a tropical fruit, cod, callaloo ( a very popular , leafy veggie) boiled green bananas, and/or dumplings. Ting is a beverage associated with breakfast.

Popular desserts include ice cream but created from coconut milk, grapenut, rum and raisins. Toto (coconut cake), banana fritters (deep fried bananas), gizzada (small tart shell with sweet spiced coconut filling), grater cakes, and asham (parched corn that is ground and combined with brown sugar.)