It's Raining Festivity!!!!!
- choosextreme
- Oct 16, 2015
- 3 min read
CULTURE
On this tropical island, it’s usually always warm so dress accordingly. When it comes to etiquette always be polite. But be careful and make sure to know the currency. They will try to get over because you’re a tourist. Remember that’s how they make their money. Just smile, be friendly and always be respectful. Don’t sit unless asked and remember to always use the appropriate title such as Mr., Ms., and Miss (Jamaica - Language, 2014). When eating, wait until it’s announced to begin, use utensils, try everything and finish it all. It’s seen as gracious and disrespectful if you do not. To avoid offending the cook just eat what you take. Make sure to pay attention to details and when in doubt just observe those around you and copy the behavior.
The culture is very festive and colorful. Even with hard times this country knows how to ge
t down. They’re known for reggae music which you can hear in every dancehall, the night seen, in which you can always find the locals. The vibrant, aura around them just brings you to life because these people are able to show you that it’s not all about money. With most of the nation living in poverty they still have fun with things like the jonkaroo, carnival and the grand market (Miller, 2002). Where they are able to interact and celebrate life together. At these events the locals come together with music, food, and great spirits to dance and trade. Even when one dies they come together and celebrate. The nine nights is an extended wake to celebrate the lost soul. During this time, they divide the duties such as grave digging, coffin making, and cooking.(Williams, 2015) After the preparation tasks are complete they sing, dance, and of course have a feast to say good bye.
Another thing is their twist on food. They add amazing flavors to make local comfort food. The good thing is you can find great dishes right on the side of the road.
With all there roadside shops and small bars you are bound to have a great time. The only down side is they eat a lot of carbohydrates. This contributes greatly to their health conditions and the leading cause of death. However, carbohydrates are what sick to you and fill you up. So, with a country filled with poverty, I can expect nothing less when you are trying to stretch meals and feed hungry people. But, unlike the United States, their active life helps avoid some diseases.
Jamaica is still old fashion in some ways. They are a male dominated country that still plays into gender roles. Men lead the government, agriculture, labor and business sector whereas woman, on the other hand, are more domesticated. Their jobs consist of household labor, education, social work, and clerical work. The women’s main job is to take care of the family and the home (Miller, 2002). They raise the children and the man is supposed to provide. They have a very close family dynamic where they rely on everyone to play there role. They have large families that stick together no matter what. If someone needs something it’s more than likely the family or the neighbors have it. They share and look out for one another as one big family even though they aren’t always related by blood.
They don’t really trust authority. So, a lot of their customs start and end in the community. When it comes to health it’s the same way. A lot of Jamaican’s view illness as punishment while other more sophisticated ones view it as their body failing to heal. Being that most can’t afford insurance or out of pocket prices, they self-medicate with home remedies and rituals prior to finding a physician. The wise, herbalists believe the herbs and the rituals allow the body to fight illness and maintain health (Miller, 2002). In the United States, healthcare providers are taught that many herbs can have a negative effect on the client’s health. So, unbeknownst to them, these things could be bad for them in the long run. Others use a healer instead because they believe the cause of illness is evil spirits. The practice was outlawed in 1898, causing many to participate in secret, since these healers dabble in
toxins, poisons, and hoodoo (Davis, 2013). However, you can still find Obeahs, local “voodoo man” used daily. Another cultural group that is seen in Jamaica is the Rastafarians. They believe in spiritual healing and that illness comes when one’s mind, body, and soul aren’t aligned. They abstain from red and processed meats and adhere to an Ital diet, which can include fish, because they believe meats rot the body (HealthCare Chaplaincy, 2013). The body is a temple that requires you to treat it right and eat healthy. All of which is good because it helps them avoid many diseases.
References
2011. [Web image]. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from https://pixabay.com/en/jamaica-caribbean- tropical-travel-948182/
2015. [Web image]. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from https://pixabay.com/en/jamaica-culture-people- man-woman-698620/
Davis, N. (2013). Obeah: Resurgence of Jamaican 'Voodoo' - BBC News. Retrieved October 19, 2015, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-23166213
Frodesiak. (2007). Ital food - 01 [Web image]. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ital#/media/File:Ital_food_-_01.jpg
HealthCare Chaplaincy (2013). Handbook of Patients’ Spiritual and Cultural Values for Health Care Professionals. Retrieved October 19, 2015, from http://www.healthcarechaplaincy.org/ userimages/Cultural Sensitivity handbook from HealthCare Chaplaincy (3-12 2013).pdf
“Jamaica- Language” (2014). Jamaica - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/jamaica.html
Miller, D. (2002). An Introduction to Jamaican Culture for Rehabilitation Services Providers. Retrieved October 17, 2015, from http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/culture/monographs/jamaica/#s2f
Moya, A. (2008). Damian-Marley-Smile-Jamaica-2008 [Web image]. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smile_Jamaica_Concert#/media/File:Damian-Marley-Smile- Jamaica-2008.jpg
Q, Peter. (2010). Rastaman on Seven Miles Beach, Jamaica [Web image]. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/quelsaa/4372397559
Williams, P. (2015). The Death Of Nine-Nights - Part 1. Retrieved October 19, 2015, from http://jamaica- gleaner.com/article/news/20150531/death-nine-nights-part-1
2011. [Web image]. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from https://pixabay.com/en/jamaica-caribbean-tropical-travel-948182/
2015. [Web image]. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from https://pixabay.com/en/jamaica-culture-people-man-woman-698620/
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