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The culture of Jamaica includes: social beliefs and customs, religions and festivals, music and dance, literature and art and cuisine. This article takes a closer look at each of these components of Jamaica culture.

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Social beliefs and habits

Many convictions and social habits in Jamaica are largely influenced by the tendency to exist outside the formal economic sector. Some examples of this can be seen in the informal money-saving schemes employed by people. In one of these schemes, known as a pardner, a group of individuals agree to pay a fixed amount each week in a mutual fund that is managed by an elected member of the community. Once the time has come to an end, the sum of money is paid to one of the participants. This practice continues until all participants have received a payment. Other common beliefs are spiritual in nature. For example, when a family moves into a new home or finishes building a new home, he often asks a priest or another church leader to come home and bless each of his rooms. Along the same lines, before starting a construction project, many crews will bring an offer of rum to the ground for good luck.

Religion and festivals

The most widespread religion in Jamaica is Christianity, primarily the Protestant sect. About two thirds of the population identifies itself as a practicing Christian. This country is most commonly associated with Rastafarianism, however, which is considered a part of the Christian religion. Followers of the Rastafari religion believe in traditional Christian teachings, but they also believe that the former emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, represented the second coming of Jesus. In addition to these two religions, traditional religions continue to be practiced in all the country. It is believed that these religions developed from traditional African beliefs and practices introduced in this country by enslaved people. Other minority religions practiced here include: Islam (around the 5,000 followers),

Music and Dance

One of Jamaica's most popular musical genres is known as reggae. Reggae was initially influenced by Jazz and Rhythm and Blues music, which was created and popularized by the African American population in the United States. This music typically incorporates two guitars in addition to drums, keyboards and vocals. Reggae has been popularized internationally by singer Bob Marley.

Some of the traditional dance styles created in Jamaica include: bruckins, jonkonnu and daggering. Each of these dances is influenced by a combination of European and African traditions. Bruckinds was created to celebrate the abolition of slavery. Today, it is mainly danced during the Emancipation Day celebrations, which take place in August each year. Jonkonnu, also known as John Canoe and Junkanoo, is a dance that is performed in December 1st and January 26th. They dance while incorporating colorful clothes and face masks. Daggering dances a modern dance performed by young people in this country in ballrooms and clubs. It is a sensual dance that involves close physical contact between both partners.

Literature and art

The inhabitants of Jamaica have kept alive the tradition of oral storytelling in this country; this tradition has been passed down through generations of descendants of African slaves. In addition to this tradition, many Jamaicans have become successful authors. Jamaican literature can easily be recognized by its use of patois, an English-based Creole language. One of the oldest books published by this country is the Buckra Baby by Becka, which is now recognized as the basis of modern Jamaican literature. Some well-known Jamaican authors include: Nalo Hopkinson, Eliot Bliss, Claude McKay and Velma Pollard.

In addition to its literature, Jamaica also has a thriving art scene. The theater show is one of the most popular arts taking place here. Its history dates back to the 17th century, when the first theater was built. The love for live theater in this country created a demand that extended beyond what was available in the halls of official theaters. The performances were performed in churches, houses and public spaces and over time, they developed to incorporate local dances and humor.

Another developing art in Jamaica is its film industry. This country has been a destination for many films produced by the United States, but recently it has also worked to increase locally produced films. In fact, in February of each year, Jamaica celebrates the Reggae Film Festival to bring together producers and artists. Some films produced by Jamaica include: Third World Policeman, The Harder They Come and Rockers.

Gastronomy

The cuisine of Jamaica is another important piece of national culture here. Jamaican food is the result of a mixture of Spanish, British, Indian and African cuisine techniques and recipes. Furthermore, some dishes from other countries have been adapted to the fruits, vegetables and spices available on this island. Some of the most commonly used ingredients in Jamaican cuisine include: coconut, jackfruit, pimento, tamarind and spicy peas. A widely recognized Jamaican dish is jerk chicken, which has been seasoned with a local marinade or a dry rub. The most important meal of the day is consumed in the afternoon and in the evening most people have tea and a light snack.

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Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1494 , arriving at Discovery Bay, between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay . He described the new discovery as "the most beautiful island that the human eye ever saw" and named it Santiago. Subsequently, Jamaica was claimed by Spain , which established its own colony there: Spanish Jamaica was born , or Colonia of Santiago , so-called from Santiago de la Vega , capital of the colony. The conquest of the island was completed by the Catholic Kings in the first decade of the sixteenth century .

The culture of Jamaica includes: social beliefs and customs, religions and festivals, music and dance, literature and art and cuisine. This article takes a closer look at each of these components of Jamaica culture.
The island is 240  k m from east to west and at most 85  k m from north to south, it belongs to the area of ​​the Tertiary corrugations of the Greater Antilles, oriented from east to west, and has a mountainous relief and an intense seismic activity . In the eastern part of the island rises the crystalline massif of the Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains), culminating at 2 256  m in the Blue Mountain Peak ; in the center and west extends a limestone plateau (460  mof average altitude) in which karst formations have developed that create spectacular landscapes (Cockpit Country to the north-west). On the outskirts of these reliefs there are alluvial plains, extended mainly to the south and west, while to the north and east they are reduced to a thin ribbon or disappear.

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The Jamaica ( English : Jamaica ) is an island nation of the Greater Antilles , along 240  k m wide and 80  k m , located in the Caribbean Sea . It is located 630  k m from the Central American continent , 150  k m from Cuba to the north and 190  k m from the island of Hispaniola , on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are located , east-north-east.

Jamaica, a Caribbean island state, has a lush landscape with mountains, rainforests and coral reef beaches. Many of its all-inclusive resorts are clustered in the Montego Bay area, with its British colonial architecture, and in Negril, known for scuba diving and snorkeling. Jamaica is famous for being the birthplace of reggae music and its capital, Kingston, is home to the Bob Marley museum, dedicated to the famous singer.
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