In Jamaica, smiles beam from faces in hues ranging from rich coffee to condensed milk-sweetened cocoa. These warm faces bear physical features that are seldom duplicated.
There are small noses, proud noses, strong chins, blue eyes and dark ones too, full lips, fine mouths, corkscrew curls and unruly locks. To appreciate these shapes and shades, and to understand the rich history and heritage of Jamaica, is to think on a global scale.
Welcoming and Friendly – Jamaica Culture
Nearly every race is represented in Jamaica – African, English, Spanish, Irish, Scottish, Indian, Chinese, German and Syrian. They came – to conquer, colonise, unwillingly or in search of a better life, settling over time to call this island home.
They've jumbled and fused, creating the most extraordinary racial and cultural medley, the Jamaican people.
Offering handshakes, hugs and hearty hellos, Jamaicans are naturally warm, friendly and entertaining.
Often Jamaican humour cannot be contained by simple smiles, and breaks loose into contagious bouts of laughter and gesticulation. They seldom cry, choosing to laugh instead at whatever comes our way. Reggae pulses through our veins, giving us an innate internal rhythm that fuels our abounding energy and creativity.
Great Culture of Jamaica
The complex past, marked by slavery and the struggle for independence, has made them proud, resilient and strong. Jamaicans refuse to be restrained, choosing instead to break the boundaries of our small island, gaining worldwide recognition in areas like music and sports.
There is Africa everywhere – in the faces of nine out of ten Jamaicans, in our language, food, craft, religions and customs. Europe is here too. The Spanish, English, Irish, Germans and Scots have all left their mark.
Experience the Vibrant and Diverse Culture of Jamaica
You’ll see it in the place names, legal, educational and governmental systems, language, architecture and religion. The Chinese, Indians, Lebanese, Syrians and Jews all have pieces of their homelands here as well. Jamaicans fuel our entrepreneurial spirit while the aromas and flavours of these Eastern cultures waft in our food.
Jamaicans have transformed the ways, traditions and customs of our foreign ancestors into something so special it could only be Jamaican. They’ve mixed and mingled, breaking down barriers, to become one people out of many, living one love.