The Jamaican culture represents a rich blendo of cultures that have inhabited. Cultures have been mingling on the shores of Jamaica for hundreds of years. These mixtures inspires pride. It is also the source of Jamaicas characteristics, that maybe to an outsider looks inappropriate at times.

       Most Jamaicans are willing to talk about any subject that you find most uncomfortable. It is not common to find people of all ethnic backgrounds on Jamaica.

      "The islanders are comfortable with their outward racial differences because they know this is part of what makes their culture unique."


           Language is another form of demonstrating there mixed cutlture. Some resident speak their own linguistic style even thought the official language is english. The mixed languages include:

spanish

african

english 

irish

british 

american idioms

Rastafarian

                   The Jamaican culture is also rich in their food. The most popular dish in Jamaica is jerk a marinade that can be added to anuthing except meat. Sea food is also famous on the island. What you would truly call a Jamaican dish would include cow foot stew and goats head stew. These types of dishes really intimidate the outsiders. A morning meal called "drinking tea" includes boiled bananas or roasted breadfruit. Afro-Jamaicans eat a midafternoon as the main meal of the day.

              Rice is a ceremonial food, along with yam, sweet potatoe, and green plantains.It is use in african and indies ceremonies. It is also served with curried goat meat as the main food at parties, dances, weddings and funerals. sacrificed animals are eaten in ritual context.

              Another interesting fact about Jamaicans is their etiquette.politness and courtesy are highly valued as aspects of being raised good. they are expressed through greetings especially from the young towads their elders.

               A child never talks back, men are supposed to open doors for women and help with or perform heavy tasks. women are expected to serve men domestic contexts, and in more tradtional areas, to give the adult males the bets part of the meal.

.        Reggae and its derivatives such as dance hall, rock steady are key for the development of Jamaican culture. This music has its origins in Jamaica and cannot be claimed by any other nation. The captivating type of music has led to a growing following. The music has an upbeat aspect to it’s with constant rhythmic beats.

             Jamaican Art and Clothing are both very important in defining Jamaican culture. Jamaican art has steeped in the depicting Jamaican everyday life. This has manifested it self in sculptures, paintings, collage and craft works. This is a direct shift from the more abstract type of European art and even the African more morbid types of art that focus a lot on history. Jamaican art culture at most does not focus on history. Jamaican clothing does reflect culture. Though Jamaican clothing and fashion is not as popular as European and African clothing it is defined by the use of primary colors and the popular use of cotton because of the tropical climate.

              Jamaican art dates back to Jamaicas indigenous taino Indians who created zemis, carvings of their gods, for ritual spiritual purposes. The demise of this culture after European colonisation heralded a new era of art production more closely related to traditional tastes in Europe and created by itinerant artists keen to return picturesque images of the 'new world' to Europe.

Folk lure is yet to be aptly recognized as a part of culture. Folk lure can often be cited as a part of Jamaican tradition however folk lure is stories and ballads passed down through the generations. However this is not really the case but folk lure and happenings are carried through in dance and drama which fall under ‘other arts’ another corner stone of culture

Kumina is a cultural form indegnous to Jamaica. It is a religion, music and dance practiced by, in large part, Jamaicans who reside in the eastern parish on St. Thomas on the island. These people have retained the drumming and dancing.

Dreadlocks

                      Dreadlocks are not unique to Jamaica and Rastafarians. The dreadlocks hairstyle originated in Africa and was worn by various tribes there.The dreadlocks hairstyle first appeared in Jamaica during post emancipation. It was a means of defiance for ex-slaves to rebel against Euro-centrism that was forced on them. The hairstyle was originally referred to as a "dreadful" hairstyle by the Euro centric Jamaican society. It later evolved to the term now used: Dreadlocks. Jamaicans also use the term Natty Dreadlock.

                 Rastafarians grow their hair into dreadlocks because it is a part of the Nazarite Vow. All Rastafarians take this vow and claim it is commanded by the Bible.Samson is believed to be a Nazarite with dreadlocks. Many Rastafarians believe that like Samson, their hair is their strength and also their weakness if it is cut off . The belief in the weakness of cutting of the dreadklocks was used as a way to intimidate.