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Culture of Jamaica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jamaican cultureconsists of the religion, norms, values, and lifestyle that define the people of Jamaica. The culture is mixed, with an ethnically diverse society, stemming from a history of inhabitants beginning with the original inhabitants of Jamaica (theTaínos). The Spaniards originally brought slavery to Jamaica. Then they were overthrown by the English. Jamaica later gained emancipation on 1 August 1838, andindependence from the Britishon 6 August 1962. Black slaves 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 asindenturedworkers, bringing with them ideas from their country.[specify]

Language

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The official language of Jamaica isJamaican Standard English,which is used in all official circumstances in the country. In addition to English, there is a creole derivative called Jamaican Patois (pronounced patwa) which is the common dialect among Jamaican citizens.

Religion

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Main article:Religion in Jamaica

By far, the largest religion in Jamaica is theChristian faith.TheAnglican Church,Catholic Church,Methodist Church,Baptists,Seventh-Dayand the Church of God are present throughout the country. Many old churches have been carefully maintained and/or restored.[1]TheRastafari movementis a derivative of the largerChristian culture,but its origins were influenced by rising consciousness of Africa, and an awareness of political events in that continent. There is also a small number of Jewish synagogues in Jamaica, dating from the 17th century along with a few mosques.[citation needed]

Elements of ancient African religions remain, especially in remote areas throughout the island. Some of these practices are described generally asObeah, Kumina,or Pocomania. Though the congregations are small, they are visited by many Christians and non-Christians seeking an experience they have not found in the churches.[vague][citation needed]It is estimated that as much as 40% of the population secretly seek the services of the African traditional religious healers (also called Obeah workers) when confronted with serious problems that conventional medicine cannot remedy.[citation needed][citation needed]

TheBaháʼí Faitharrived in Jamaica in 1943, brought by an AmericanBaháʼí pioneer,Dr. Malcolm King.[2]In 2003, as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the establishment of Baháʼí in Jamaica, the Governor General of Jamaica, SirHoward Cooke,proclaimed a National Baháʼí Day to be held annually on 25 July.[3]In 2005, the community of about 5000[4]celebrated their activity and presence in Jamaica with the international Baháʼí choir,The Voices of Bahá.The choir performed at Ward Theater and the University of the West Indies' Chapel, with proceeds earmarked to two Jamaican charities, (one serving families of policemen slain in the line of duty, and the one Denham Town Golden Age Home).[5]

Other religions practiced in Jamaica includeBuddhism,Hinduism,andIslam.

Rastafari

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Main article:Rastafari movement
ARastafarianman in arastacapat a port of Jamaica'sBlack River.

Originating in the 1930s,[6]one of the most prominent, internationally known aspects of Jamaica's African-Caribbean culture is theRastafarimovement, particularly those elements that are expressed throughreggaemusic. In the 1970s and early 1980s,Bob Marleybecame the most high-profile exponent of the Rastafari culture and belief system. His reputation as an innovative musician devoted to his faith[7]has continued to grow since his death, so that by 2004 his greatest hits compilation,Legend,had sold 20 million copies worldwide,[8]making him arguably the world's most famous Jamaican in the music industry, and certainly the nation's biggest-selling recording artist.

Rastafari itself is amonotheisticbelief system, based on teachings found in theOld Testamentand theNew Testament– particularly theBook of Revelation.[9]However, what distinguishes Rastafari from Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, (which also citeAbrahamicbeliefs), is that Rastas believe in the divinity of the EmperorHaile SelassieofEthiopia.

Hailed by Rastas as H.I.M. (His Imperial Majesty),Haile Selassie Iis regarded as God himself, the true descendant ofSolomon,and the earthly embodiment ofJah(God)[10]– in what believers see as a fulfillment of prophecy regardingthe second comingof theMessiah.[11]

Those Rasta beliefs, which are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible (such as the specific name of H.I.M. "Haile Selassie" ), are not gathered into a single holy text. Instead, Rasta beliefs are primarily shared through a community of songs, chants, and oral testimonies, as well as in written texts (including websites).[12]The extensive use of song makes Rastafari a particularly musical source of Jamaican culture.

Rasta cultural traditions include wearing their hair in uncut, uncombed strands known asdreadlocks(in adherence to theNazaritevow[13]), as well as eating unprocessed (natural) foods which are calledItal.However, neither tradition is regarded as compulsory – many people who wear dreadlocks are not Rastas, and many Rastas do not wear them.

One of the most controversial cultural traditions is Rastas' use ofganjaas asacramentwhich is smoked to aid inreasoning(contemplationand discussion) during their religious rituals.

In its Jamaican homeland, Rastafari is a minority culture and receives little in the way of official recognition. Jamaica is an overwhelmingly Christian country, so Rasta beliefs and practices – such as the divinity of H.I.M Hailie Selassie – are sometimes regarded aspaganby Christian Jamaicans.[14](Some Rastas also express hostility towards aspects of Christianity.[15]) Nevertheless, the artistic contributions of the movement, particularly by Bob Marley, are widely respected. Marley was awarded theJamaican Order of Meritin 1981, and there are two official monuments to him.[16]

Rastas can be found in many countries outside Jamaica and among many non-Jamaicans. Because it is not a centrally organised religion, there is no way of knowing how many devotees there are.

Dance

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Dance has always been important to Jamaica – from colonial times until the present. Early folk rhythms and movements often enhanced Christian religious celebrations or were associated with Christian holidays. More recently, dances have become associated with themusic of Jamaica,particularlydancehallstyles.

Dance theatre is also growing in importance.Rex Nettleford,Eddy Thomas,Tony Wilson,Olive Lewin,andEdna Manleyare five Jamaicans whose influences on the arts – music and dance in particular – have been extremely important. Nettleford, Thomas, andIvy Baxterformed theNational Dance Theatre Companyin 1962.[17]Other important Jamaicans in dance theatre have included theTony Award-winning choreographerGarth Fagan(The Lion Kingon Broadway).

Dancehall, orreggae,music has inspired a number of dance styles as well. To understand the evolution of popular dance, it helps to understand the musical progression.Skamusic, with fast beats, also had fast dances. The slow torocksteadyalso developed slower dances, allowing dancers to stay on the floor longer.Reggaeis associated with many things, including theRastafarianmovement, but influenced the newer styles.

Dancehallmusic often creates its own dances based on moves in the lyrics of the songs themselves.Soca musicfromTrinidad and Tobagois popular with most of the popular artists from Trinidad, but many soca Jamaican artists such asByron Lee,Fab 5, and Lovindeer are famous but also represent Jamaican music.

Daggeringis a form of dance originating from Jamaica. The dance incorporatesdry sex,[18]wrestling and other forms of frantic movement.[18][19]

Bruckinsis a Jamaican dance performed to celebrate Emancipation Day.

Here lists 94 Jamaican dances or dance forms:

Theatre

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Jamaica's earliest theatre was built in 1682. Several more theatres opened in the 1700s and 1800s, attracting performances by both professional touring companies and amateur groups. But performances weren't limited to official venues. Many took place in houses, stores, courthouses, and enclosed outdoor spaces large enough to hold them. During this period, classic plays such asShakespearewere most often produced. However, the Jewish and French communities became large enough to merit productions aimed at them, too.

After the abolishment of slavery, Jamaicans began fusing music, humour, and dance into public theatrical performances. Although it took many years for true Jamaican styles to develop, eventually they became more prevalent than European works. Today's most popular theatrical form in Jamaica,pantomime,began in the 1940s as a fusion of English pantomime with Jamaican folklore. Another popular style, "Roots" (Grassroots) Theatre,[20]evolved in the 1960s and 1970s. These riotous bawdy tales remained crowd favourites in Kingston's open-air theatres.[21]

One artist involved in root plays is Winsome (code name), a Jamaican writer and producer chronicled in Deborah Thomas' book "Modern Blackness". Winsome handled all the publicity for her plays herself, and ended up putting them on in the rural areas surrounding Kingston – the city theaters refused to house her plays because of their controversial nature. In her plays, Winsome explores how sex, money, and power interact every day for Jamaicans. In 1997, Winsome wrote and produced a root play entitled Ruff Rider, in which family, sexual abuse, love, work, and friendship all intersect. According to author Thomas, author of, "In all of her work, the sympathetic characters are those she portrays as struggling to balance their own pursuit of individual gain with 'living well together' with others. As they negotiate the fine lines between egalitarianism and hierarchy, her characters also contribute to the public debate regarding the gendered dimensions of respectability and reputation."[22]

Other notable roots play figures include Ralph Holness, Ginger Knight, Balfour Anderson, Michael Denton, Ian Reid, Paul Beil, Everton Dawkins, Luke Ellington (Lukington), Buddy Pouyat and the late Hyacinth Brown.[23]

Literature and writing

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Further information:Jamaican literature

Derek Walcott,aNobel Prizelaureate, born and educated in St. Lucia, attended college in Jamaica. Other significant writers from the island includeClaude McKayandLouis Simpson.Plays and works in Jamaican English, orpatois,attract special attention.Louise Bennett,Andrew SalkeyandMikey Smithhave contributed to this phenomenon by writing works in patois.Ian Flemingwrote his famousJames Bondnovels while living in Jamaica.Jean Rhysis also well known for her novelWide Sargasso Sea,which was set in Jamaica. Jamaican writerMarlon Jameswon the 2015Man Booker Prizefor his novelA Brief History of Seven Killings.

Jamaican authors are always faced with the decision of writing in standard English for a huge worldwide audience, or in the local patois, for a much smaller, but more trendy, audience. Jamaican films with patois sound-tracks such asThe Harder They Come(1972) require sub-titles for export to general markets. In general, the use of patois severely limits the potential audience for the otherwise universal Jamaican message.

Recentpoets laureateof Jamaica includeMervyn Morris(appointed in 2014) and his successorLorna Goodison,appointed in 2017.[24]

Film

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Further information:List of Jamaican films

Jamaica's film industry is not widely known, but it is growing.The Harder They Come,Rasta Rockett,Shottas,Third World Cop,Rockers,Countryman,Dancehall Queen& "Real Ghetto Youths" are a few of the best-known Jamaican movies. However, many popular Hollywood movies have also been filmed in Jamaica. A short list includesThe Blue Lagoon,Cocktail,Cool RunningsandJames Bondfilms,Dr. No,Live and Let DieandNo Time to Die.

Jamaica's leading annual film eventThe Reggae Film Festivaltakes place each February in Jamaica's capital city, Kingston. Members of Jamaica's film industry gather here to make new links and many new projects have grown from the event.

Jamaica has many talented film makers but there is a great lack of available funds and resources for filmmakers. Since the creation of theReggae Film Festivalthere have been many new films made in Jamaica and the event has given the industry a real boost, this combined with the recent CARICOM European film treaty which enables Jamaican filmmakers to seek funding in Europe, has opened up a new door for film makers looking to apply for funding and this will hopefully make a real difference to the future of the industry.

Other more recent feature films made in Jamaica are: 'Almost Heaven', 'Roots Time', 'Wah Do Dem', 'Concrete Jungle', 'Redemption Paradise', 'Real Ghetto Youths', and 'Smile Orange'.

Sport

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Main article:Sport in Jamaica

Woodwork, furniture, and metalwork

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Jamaicans have a long history of fine craftsmanship in wood and metal. Jamaica was home to many excellent furniture factories dating from colonial times, andJamaican "Georgian" furniturewas exported to the metropolitan countries. Jamaica is in the Caribbean so its exports of furniture is important.

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Churches".Kingston, Jamaica:Jamaica National Heritage Trust.2005. Archived fromthe originalon 8 September 2009.Retrieved21 October2009.
  2. ^Bridge, Abena (5 July 2000),"Divine rites – Uncovering the faiths",The Jamaican Gleaner
  3. ^Jamaicans celebrate 4th National Baháʼí Day,Baháʼí World News Service, 11 August 2006
  4. ^"Most Baha'i Nations (2005)".The ARDA (Association of Religion Data Archives). 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 14 April 2010.Retrieved30 June2016.
  5. ^"Voices of Baha to Perform in Kingston"(Press release). Jamaica Information Service. 29 June 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 12 June 2011.Retrieved30 June2016.
  6. ^Dread Historyby ProfessorRobert A. Hill(2001),ISBN0-948390-78-6ISBN978-0948390784.
  7. ^"Words of Wisdom - Biblical Quotations in Reggae Lyrics".Archived fromthe originalon 10 May 2009.Retrieved26 February2009.
  8. ^"The Top Earners For 2004".Forbes.Archived fromthe originalon 27 October 2004.Retrieved16 October2017.
  9. ^"Words of Wisdom - Biblical Quotations in Reggae Lyrics".Archived fromthe originalon 19 May 2009.Retrieved26 February2009.
  10. ^Anthony B: Lyrics to 'Conquer All ".Archived25 January 2011 at theWayback Machine
  11. ^"Words of Wisdom - Biblical Quotations in Reggae Lyrics".Archived fromthe originalon 14 October 2008.Retrieved26 February2009.
  12. ^Earth Culture Roots.A website explaining Rasta beliefs.
  13. ^Numbers 6:1–21 (King James Version)
  14. ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2020.Retrieved26 February2009.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^"Talking Blues - BOB MARLEY".SongLyrics.Retrieved16 October2017.
  16. ^"Bob Marley Bibliography".Archived fromthe originalon 30 January 2009.Retrieved16 October2017.
  17. ^National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica. Tony Wilson danced with theMartha Graham School of Contemporary Dance&Alvin Ailey Dance Theatreprior to founding his dance company,The Company Dance Theatre
  18. ^ab"The Jamaica Star:: Commentary:: Censoring daggering:: February 12, 2009".Archived fromthe originalon 14 January 2012.Retrieved3 October2010.
  19. ^"Daggering 101… a Tutorial".Yinnyang.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 17 January 2013.Retrieved16 October2017.
  20. ^The Cambridge Guide to African and Caribbean Theatre,Martin Banham and Errol Hill.
  21. ^"Jamaica Gleaner News - Roots theatre declared 'dead' - Now under the 'mainstream theatre' umbrella - Entertainment - Sunday | April 5, 2009".Archived fromthe originalon 13 April 2009.Retrieved15 December2014.
  22. ^Thomas, Deborah.Modern Blackness: Nationalism, Globalization, and the Politics of Culture in Jamaica.Durham, N.C.:Duke University Press,2004.
  23. ^"Jamaica Gleaner News - ROOTS PLAYS TONE DOWN - Sunday | January 22, 2006".Archived fromthe originalon 2 July 2008.Retrieved31 January2008.
  24. ^Richard Johnson,"Goodison is poet laureate"Archived2 June 2019 at theWayback Machine,Jamaica Observer,20 March 2017.

Further reading

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  • Mordecai, Martin and Pamela.Culture and Customs of Jamaica.Greenwood Press. 2001.
  • Hill, Errol.The Jamaican Stage, 1655–1900: Profile of a Colonial Theatre.University of Massachusetts Press.1992.
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