Jamaican Culture
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Jamaican Culture |
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The people of Jamaica have emerged from a historical process in which peoples of all the continents were brought together within a well-defined social hierarchy.
Jamaica boasts a rich cultural heritage, springing from a multi-racial population of African, European, Arabic, East Indian, Chinese, and East Mediterranean descent. Jamaica's Spanish and English colonial legacy is evident in places like Spanish Town (the island's first capital) and Port Royal (where 17th century pirates cavorted), and old sugar plantation houses sprinkled throughout the countryside. This multi-racial blend of native Jamaicans provides visitors with a memorable insight into the unique culture of Jamaica. Here is a brief but real insight of Jamaican Culture.
| The Arts |  |
Jamaican Art, like other Caribbean nations, has its cultural melting pot enhanced by the presence of Jamaican artists born elsewhere. beginning in the 1920s with the arrival in Jamaica of Edna Manley, wife and mother of two former Jamaican Prime Ministers. The mother of contemporary art in Jamaica, she was catalyst for the current Jamaican Art Movement, mentoring young artists and establishing both the National Gallery of Jamaica and the Jamaica School of Art. The majority of Jamaican art, is inspired by the human form, with strong elements of racial identity. Landscape, social concerns and abstractions are also popular themes reflecting a fusion of African, Chinese, Indian, European and Middle Eastern origins in Jamaica's population. Courtesy Skywritings (August 1997)
The movement in the 1930s and 1940s toward self-government which gave birth to modern Jamaica, paid much attention to cultural expression, and since then successive governments have undertaken to nurture the arts throughout the country.
The Institute of Jamaica, established in 1879, includes:
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture is responsible for:
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission organises the cultural activities of the country through training and several annual competitions in the arts. Displays and exhibitions in these areas form part of the annual Independence celebrations.
The Jamaican art movement goes back to the early part of the century. Today, many Jamaican artists are internationally acclaimed. Among these are the late Edna Manley (1900-1987), who emerged as a visionary mother of art in Jamaica, and as a teacher and role model to other artists.
Other renowned Jamaican artists include Basil Watson and Cecil Baugh. Watson, the founder of the Contemporary Jamaican Artists Association (Kingston) is known for his exceptional murals and special portraits.
Baugh, an epitome of true craftsmanship, is known for his work in ceramics and pottery.
Exhibitions are held on a regular basis at island's several galleries.
| MUSIC |  |
Reggae
Jamaica's popular music has achieved world fame through the emergence of reggae, a music form that emerged from traditional indigenous Jamaican music with African and Black American roots. Many reggae artistes have won international fame for original compositions, recordings and performances-notably the late Robert (Bob) Marley. For his cultural contributions, Marley received Jamaica's third highest national honour-the Order of Merit.
Although he died in 1981, this legendary Jamaican still lives on as one of the greatest musical philosophers of all times, evidenced by the fact that his name was recently enshrined in the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Since the inclusion of a reggae category in the United States of America Annual Grammy Awards organized by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1989, several Jamaican artistes such as the Melody Makers, Black Uhuru, Shabba Ranks and Shaggy "Mr. Boombastic" have won the award.
The 1999 winners are Sly Dunbar and Robby Shakespeare.
Folk
Jamaica's folk music is said to have its origin in West Africa. Thus it is both African and Jamaican. Mento and other traditional folk music is encourage by the Jamaica Cutural Development Commission (JCDC).
The Jamaica Folk Singers led by Dr. Olive Lewin, who has researched, recorded and documented Jamaican folk music, is the most accomplished group which specialises in performing folk music. Other prominent groups include: The University Singers; the Carifolk Singers and the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC).
Other Music Forms
Other forms of music include: Jazz, which is becoming more recognised in Jamaica, Rock Steady and Ska. The early music of the 1950s and 1960s has evolved to what is now our modern day reggae.
Classical, though not widely popular, has its own audience. Gospel is not as established as Reggae but is very popular with a large audience.
Soca/Calypso has been adopted from the Eastern Caribbean. It has become very popular especially since the introduction of the Jamaica Carnival.
Hobbies
Jamaica's top sports event, DOMINOES is now being imitated by many others who have yet to perfect it. Indulging in this sport can bring one a sense of enjoyment that no other physical or mental activity can replace.
One thing Jamaicans
like to do is play a game of dominoes. This activity is very popoular in Jamaica. The physical activity in this sport requires strong hands to knock the
dominoes on the table harder than your opponents and a loud mouth to taunt them. Even
though a bystander who does not understand the sport may think the person who slams the
dominoes hardest on the table is the winner this is not so. This is only a strategy in the
game to show your strength and intimidate your opponents. This also has the added
incentive of deafening the other players so as to lessen there concentration. Be warned
that standing too close to a domino game may leave you with a constant ringing in your ear
for as long as 2 weeks.
Another very important part of Jamaica's culture is the food. Jamaican food is known for its distinct spices and the recipes vary greatly. To find out more about Jamaican food, visit this site
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