Select your outward journey date
Select your return journey date

Jamaica Culture and traditions Jamaica

 
 
Area : 1639  sq.mi - Population 2847232 hab.
Jamaica

Our expert Jamaica

map

map Jamaica

Weather

Culture and traditions Jamaica

 Traditions and customs

From their African ancestors, the Jamaicans have kept the love for folk tales, music and religious beliefs. This accounts for the practice of over a hundred religions all over the island.
They are very supersitious and believe in spirits, or duppies. To protect themselves, they have developed all sorts of stratagems, such as placing cross-shaped cutlery and a bible by the beds of babies to protect their sleep. Jamaicans have a culture of humour and derision. They tend to take things with a sense ofdetachment, which may irritate those who easily get worried or worked up.

 To read, see, listen

guide Lonely Planet-Jamaica
books Book of Jamaica by Banks Russell.
Rum Island by Simon Vestdijk.
Reggae explosion: the Story of Jamaican Music by Chris Salewicz and Adrian Boot.
movies Several movies have been shot in Jamaica. Among them, two James Bond movies: Doctor No and Live and Let Die
Other films include: Cocktail, The Blue Lagoon, Rasta rocket and Club Paradise.
music Reggae of course, starting with Bob Marley and his band, the Wailers. The most popular albums: Catch a fire, Rastaman Vibration, Survival.

Other artists:
- The Emi Years 1973-1975, The Harder They Come, Give The People What They Want, Follow My Mind, Wanted, The Power And The Glory by Jimmy Cliff.
- Great Jamaica Ska, Reggay Eyes, Plays Dynamite Ska with the Jamaican All-Stars, by Byron Lee.
- Belafonte Returns To Carnegie Hall, My Lord What A Morning, Banana Boat Song, Island in the Sun by Harry Belafonte.
- Fondation Ska, Ska Bonanza Studio by The Skatalites.
Words of Wisdom, Light my fire, Open The Gate by Dennis Brown.
- On the Dance Floor, Once Ago, My Number One, Mr Love by Gregory Isaacs.
- Dread, Beats An' Blood, More Time, Reggae Greats by Linton Kwesi Johnson.
- After All, Moving Up, Don't Get Crazy by Luciano.