| Home Jamaica > Jamaica Culture Jamaica Culture Jamaica culture embodies a rich blend of culture that has long ago inhabited the island. Often called a nation âout of many, one peopleâ, Jamaica culture is a many-sided mixture of international traditions and customs, from its ancestors of Spanish and British settlers, to the West African slaves who brought cultural elements, to the East Asian and Indian immigrants who arrived at the island as indentured servants. The Taino Indians had the biggest influence on language and food in Jamaica culture. In fact, the name Jamaica comes from the Taino word Xaymaca âthe land of wood and waterâ. Other words of Taino influence are Cohiba for Tobacco, Tabaco for the pipe from which they smoke, and Hamaca for hammocks used as beds. Influence on food includes maize, cassava, waterfowl, and seafood. The diet of Taino´s became the diet of the early Spanish colonists, and the native plants remained through time, although manatees and iguanas are not part of the present-day Jamaican diet. The Rastafari are the best known part of Jamaica culture through the reggae music and Rastafarians who are popular all over the world for playing uniquely syncopated style arising from another Jamaican sound. An artist like Bob Marley, from Kingston Jamaica is definitely the best known performer of this Jamaica style of music. Rastafarianism is a Jamaica religion that is based on the Christian King James Bible, which is read in an Ethiopianist way. A number of ârastasâ carry their hair in dreadlocks and others eat only l-tal food which is like a vegan diet where they stay away from certain foods. Rastafarianism however, does not have a well-defined doctrine. However, Jamaica is predominantly a Christian country with big groups of Anglicans, Baptists, and Roman Catholics. | |
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