Hey there....Welcome back to my Blog. I trust you are ready to learn more about our Jamaican Culture.
LET US BEGIN:
JAMAICA'S OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
It is through language that many of our traditions and customs are transmitted or passed on from one generation to another. Some of these includes
- telling of stories and folk tales
- preparation of traditional dishes
- interpretation of signs and symbols
- teaching of folk songs and traditional games
Although most Jamaicans speak both Standard Jamaican English and Creole, the Standard Jamaican English is the official language. For a very long time, Jamaica was ruled by the English (who speak and write the English language). However, speakers of English do not always sound the same.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley, who taught Jamaicans to value Jamaican Creole, died on July 26, 2006.
FOOD IN OUR CULTURE
The style of cooking which most Jamaicans use is called 'creole' cooking. It is influenced by the traditions of the Tainos, the Europeans, the Africans and the Asians. Creole cooking is usually heavily seasoned with sharp smelling herbs and spices. Some of these are curry, escallion, pepper, pimento, ginger, nutmeg etc.
Here's a link that you can visit to see the different food we Jamaicans have.
http://jamaicans.com/eating-2/
LEISURE AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Here are some pictures to show how some Jamaicans spend their leisure time
Leisure time is time we spend doing the activities we enjoy.We learn many of our leisure activities from our ancestors who entertained themselves by playing games, telling stories, singing folk songs and dancing especially on moon light nights.
Sports for example is an important part of our culture where cricket and football are two sports that ca,e from our ancestors. Others sports we Jamaicans have are track and field, netball, swimming etc.
JAMAICAN MUSIC
Jamaican music developed out of the music which our ancestors brought. It is a blend of musical forms from Africa, Europe and Asia with some elements from North and South America.
Music is one aspect of the Jamaican culture which is most easily recognized. We hear it in our homes, in places of worship, on the buses, on the street corners etc. Music is part of our everyday life in Jamaica.
Reggae music id the most popular form of music in Jamaica. It is also very popular in other part of the world such as North America, Europe and Japan. Reggae music is made up of African forms, rhythm and blues and Jamaican folk music. The instruments most often used to produce reggae music are the drum, guitar, keyboard and cymbals. Many reggae songs are about life in Jamaica. They express feelings about love, work, crime and politics. Dancehall is another form of reggae music which is forms a big part of entertainment in Jamaica.
DID YOU KNOW?
Honourable Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley), who died in 1981, is the most popular reggae artiste in the world.
He has made Jamaica famous for its reggae music
TRADITIONAL DANCES IN JAMAICA
KUMINA
- This was brought to Jamaica by the Africans
- Found mostly in St. Thomas
- Performed at wakes and weddings
- Involves singing and drumming
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efSWXfC-4w4
- Brought to Jamaica by the Africans
- Found mostly in St. Mary
- Performed mainly at wakes to cheer the grieving family
- Involves singing, games and mento music
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRFQbUxYWyM
- Brought to Jamaica by the Europeans
- A type of square dance
- Performed mainly at the National Festival
- Involves musical instruments in a mento band such as violin. fiddle. drums and banjo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA5oGKbKbPQ
- Brought to Jamaican by the Africans and the Europeans
- Found mostly in Portland
- Performed mainly to celebrate emancipation day
- Involves dancing and drumming
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=law4LMZETPk
JONKUNNU
- Brought to Jamaica by the Africans
- Found mostly in Portland
- Performed mainly in towns and villages around Christmas time.
- Involves different characters, dancing and drumming
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGbQpgr5lj8
- Brought to Jamaica by the Europeans
- Found in different parishes
- Performed mainly at fairs, picnics or garden parties
- Involves dancing, platting of coloured ribbon around a pole, music.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOux_Y6tFgU
DRESS AND CULTURE
How we dress is a part of our culture. The type of clothes we wear is mostly influenced by the climate. We also wear clothes based on the kind of work we do and the occasions for which we dress. Most Jamaicans have a variety of clothes for different occasions.
There is alot more to our Jamaican Culture but I will stop here for today.
Again I want to say Thank you for the opportunity to share with you information about the Jamaican Culture.
In Jamaican Creole I would say-
"TANK YUH FI MEK MI SHARE LIKKLE A WI CULCHA WID YUH"
No comments:
Post a Comment