by peterpan

Created on: May 20, 2008

Jamaica is a country rich in cultural heritage. The culture had been greatly influenced by its history as many colonizers ruled the country and influenced the lifestyle and traditions of the natives. Jamaica's culture is a conglomeration of Spanish, European and African culture with the main reason of interracial incorporation of different traditions due to invasion, colonization as well as slavery.

Visiting Jamaica would help you have a first hand experience of the rich history that the place has. Getting inside museums in the country would help you understand better the hardships that early Jamaicans suffered in the hands of its colonizers. Looking back at Jamaica's early days would make you appreciate how Jamaicans had survived and maintained its love for freedom and liberty and how they have sustained to surpass the clasps of foreign control to make the country self-supporting on its own people and on its own resources.

TRADITIONS

Rituals are popular in the country. Christmas is the most celebrated occasion in Jamaica. During this season, you will taste the Christmas cake, sorrel drinks and many other delicious foods while families enjoy entertainment, parties and festivals. The air is also filled by Christmas carols in this widely Christian nation during Christmastime.

Jonkanoo is also a popular tradition during Christmas when people dress in colorful attire and masquerade. The Grand Market is also popular in December and during this celebration, people prepare lots of food, street parties and traditional music with beautiful Jamaican dances. Vendors roam the streets selling different types of delicacies, firecrackers, balloons and much other stuff in preparation for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Aside from these celebrations, Jamaicans also preserved its cultural heritage when it comes to literature. Many Jamaican stories and fables are preserved until today. They have been passed from generations and had rooted from different countries such as Africa. Proverbs were utilized by slaves in the country to pass secret messages without being caught by their masters.

LANGUAGE

English is the primary language used in Jamaica. This factor makes it easier for westerners when they decide to make use of the place for their vacations. Majority of Jamaicans use this language in their everyday lives like in business, in schools and even inside their homes. However, the English language that they have had been altered by the addition of other words from the native languages

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