Jamiaca: Facts & Stats

CULTURE

Though a small nation, Jamaica is rich in culture and has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub, and, more recently, dancehall and ragga all originated in the island's vibrant, popular urban recording industry. Jamaica also played an important role in the development of punk rock, through reggae and ska.

The Rastafari movement was founded in Jamaica. This Back to Africa movement believes that Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was God incarnate, the returned black messiah, come to take the lost Twelve Tribes of Israel back to live with him in Holy Mount Zion in a world of perfect peace, love and harmony. Bob Marley, a convert to the faith, spread the message of Rastafari to the world. There are now estimated to be more than a million Rastafarians throughout the world.

Traditions:

Jamaican culture represents a rich blend of cultures that have inhabited the Greater Antilles island, Jamaica. The original Taino Settlers, followed by their Spanish conquerors (who were in turn conquered by the British), all made major contributions. However, it is the blacks and slaves who became the dominant cultural force as they suffered and resisted the harsh conditions of forced labour.

After the abolition of slavery, Chinese and Indian migrants were transported to the island as indentured workers, bringing with them ideas from the Far East. The official national language is English, heavily spiced with local idioms and Elizabethan usage. The primary local language is patois, or Jamaican Creole.

Celebrations:

The Jamaican Coffee Festival is held annually each fall in Kingston to celebrate the rich, agricultural tradition of coffee in Jamaica. Java lovers will find themselves on a caffeine high like no other as farmers and merchants provide visitors with free samples of a wide array of coffees, hot beverages, and other related foods.

Heritage Fest, also held each fall, is an annual festival in Kingston that celebrates and uses food, dance and music to explore the diversity of Jamaica's population. From Indian curry to Lebanese dancing to Chinese fortune telling, Heritage Fest pays homage to all of the diverse ethnicities found in Jamaica.

The Accompong Maroon Festival takes place each year on Jan. 6, the birthday of Captain Cudjoe who defeated the English army. The festival celebrates the Maroons, featuring traditional dancing and singing, a fantastic feast, and the blowing of the Abeng horn and playing of the Maroon war drums. The Accompong celebrates a fun and exciting aspect of the cultural and historical heritage of Jamaica.

One of the most renowned Caribbean festivals, Carnival, spreads across the entire island in one huge party, featuring popular musical entertainment as well as parades. Carnival is held all over the island in the week before Easter and is one of the island's most popular festivals.

Heineken Startime takes place each winter in Kingston, Jamaica and promises to be the most significant musical event of the season. The concert features one of the strongest line-ups in each area of Jamaican music, from ska to rock steady to hip hop, and, of course, reggae.

The Rebel Salute Music Festival, also in Kingston, has been held in January for the past 12 years. The festival highlights cultural roots music and focuses more on the folk tradition than other shows. Don't expect any less of a crowd, though, as patrons of this event include locals as well as international guests who show up each year for this amazing concert.

International Reggae Day is a blowout musical festival in Jamaica. Usually celebrated in July, this festival hosts not only musical talent shows, but a talent search, workshops and a lecture on the life of reggae icon, Bob Marley. This concert is broadcast live all over the world via satellite television and the Internet.

Reggae Sumfest is another weeklong music festival. It takes place the first week in August each year in Montego Bay. The best in reggae are brought together for a week of sonic celebration. Visitors can purchase tickets for just one night of partying or can spend a little more and get weekend passes or a pass for the whole week. Some tickets even include backstage passes. Without a doubt, Reggae Sumfest is a great way to enjoy a week of music.

Alcohol:

The minimum drinking age in Jamaica is 18.

Sports and Hobbies:

Jamaicans, in general, have a large interest in sports. Cricket, football, dominoes, horse-racing are several popular sports. The Jamaica national cricket team competes regionally, and also provides players for the West Indies. The Jamaica National Football Team qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The Jamaican Bobsled Team has been a serious contender in the Winter Olympics, beating many well-established teams. Dominoes, which can be played by young and old together, is played everywhere.

Also just recently the world's fastest man has been hailed from Jamaica, Usain Bolt, clocking 9.69 seconds in the 100 meter Olympic dash.And in 2009 in Berlin,Germany he's the only sprinter in history to hold a world record for the 100 M (9.58) And 200 M (19.19) He also beat Michael Johnson's world record in the 200 M. Shelly-Ann Fraser, the fastest woman in the world since The Olympics in 2008, won the 100 M.

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