Indian Culture

Running head: JAMAICAN CULTURE 1

Jamaican Culture

Rayanna Boston

COMM 263-630

Jamaican Culture

Nestled into the beautiful Caribbean is a small country known for its lively natives and bright colors. In Jamaica, the teaching of tradition along with a push for modernism has plagued the culture with disagreements in government and society. Through the decades, indigenous Jamaicans have attempted to preserve their national heritage through song and cuisine. Modern popular culture in Jamaica demonstrates the evidence of struggle through reformation and movement. Jamaica today is rich with heritage, the arts, and tourism, and Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions are correlated with its journey to modernity.

The immense history within the Jamaican nation is a large part of why the indigenous peoples strive to support their heritage. Jamaica began as a colonial entity ruled by the British (Gray, 1991). According to Gray, once deemed as an independent nation in Central America, Jamaica began its transformation into an authoritarian democracy in which elections for leaders as well as policy took place. This transformation lead to the modern government system in Jamaica today. Once democracy was established, a social reformation began in the late twentieth century, known as the Rastafarian Movement.

According to Savishinsky (1994), Rastafari is most prominently supported by the black minority youth as an avenue to keep African and native ties alive. Through this movement, the youth attempt to distance themselves from societies ruled by modern whites (Savishinsky). Rastas do not agree with the corrupt white bias within their societies, thus pushing for a restored minority heritage. Supporters of the Rasta Movement also are very resistant to change. However, Jamaican culture as a whole has welcomed the Rastafarian Movement and is accepting of the diversity it brings. This is a reflection of Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimension of Uncertainty Avoidance. According to ITIM International (2016), Jamaican culture tends to be relaxed in nature and is open to diversity within society. Often, differences are encouraged and beliefs are flexible.

A second prominent component within Jamaican culture is the importance of the arts. Music, cuisine, and color all reflect the vibrancy of Jamaica. Jamaican music is loved by natives and tourists alike because “it doesn’t quite sound like anything else, when it arouses emotions that no other type of music does, when it gives us something we can’t get anywhere else,” (Chang and Chen, 1998, p. 2). Of the four major forms of music in Jamaica including ska, rocksteady, reggae, and dancehall, the most popular is reggae, which became the most prominent form in the 1960s (Chang and Chen). Jamaican music styles are typically differentiated by a specific combination of drums; also, the pitch and volume of the bass used in the music changes with form. Chang and Chen describe reggae as a music with an “accented subsidiary beat” reflecting the West Indian styles of music (p. 2).

Reggae music is very important to the natives of Jamaica as it allows them to keep some heritage in their culture. According to Chang and Chen, Jamaican popular music tends to mix the rhythms of traditional African music with the melodies of European styles. The authors state, “Reggae remains every bit as emotionally important to its [modern] audience as folk music was to their ancestors,” (Chang and Chen, 1998, p. 4). Through reggae music, language and stories from the native population’s ancestors are kept alive. Also, natives are able to express a lifestyle and mindset through their music. The authors also state that reggae is also one of the last few folk music forms left in the world today.

Public entertainment is a large part of Jamaica’s music culture. This could be why so many individuals recall seeing natives playing drums and other instruments in various places while visiting Jamaica. Not only do natives enjoy entertaining their visitors, they also share music culture with each other. Dancehalls became popular in Jamaica after the introduction of large speaker systems. Chang and Chen include a quote from a native, Clement Dodd, about his experiences with dancehalls: “He recalls, ‘There were [fourteen] dancehalls on Maxfield Avenue alone. All those guys who hustled at the wharf used to come to those dances,’” (p. 19). The authors continue by describing how people came from all surrounding neighborhoods to participate in the dances and how dancehalls in close proximity to one another competed for attendance.

Jamaica’s cuisine is another component of culture that attracts many visitors and natives alike. The heritage of the country can be found within its cuisine and the food tells the history of the people. The cuisine is known for its unique flavors and bright colors incorporated into meals. What differentiates Jamaica’s cuisine from its Caribbean neighbors’ is the prominence of agriculture in the country. With agriculture, imported food is not a priority and native fruits, vegetables, and spices are widely used (DeMers, 1998). The author also states that it could have been the fertile lands and warm, tropical climate that brought people to Jamaica. From this came a unique cuisine full of bold flavors and colors that is memorable to many.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, livestock is a large part of Jamaica’s cuisine. DeMers explains that dairy and beef cattle along with pork are grown locally and incorporated into the food. Natives are known for their ways of preparing their pork. A unique process of its own, Jamaicans barbeque or “jerk” their meat (DeMers). DeMers further explains that a variety of breads and spices are also locally grown in the St. Elizabeth area of Jamaica.

Meals throughout the day are largely determined by the area in which one lives. For example, breakfast for farmers includes a cup of local tea followed by a type of fish (usually salted cod) and yams (DeMers). Country and town lunches typically share recipes and commonalities of favorite dishes. DeMers explains that these consist of stewed peas, curried goat, fish marinated in lime juice, brown stewed fish, and fried fish. Side dishes include yams, rice, and bananas. Dinner typically consists of the gathering of friends and family in a more relaxed setting. The author describes meals to include fricasseed chicken or spicy roast beef with sides of fried plantains, string beans, and carrots. For every meal, there is a variety of drinks to choose from, including soda, lemonade, water, and rum.

Jamaicans’ tendency to gather with friends and family every day for dinner reflects their low score in Hofstede’s Individualism Dimension. Jamaica is considered a collectivistic society, placing importance on the closeness and well-being of family and extended relationships (ITIM International). By having dinner with family and friends daily, Jamaicans are able to build upon the well-being of their group and the relationships that are most important to them.

A final major component of modern Jamaican culture is tourism’s effect on the economy. According to McCatty and Serju, “In Jamaica, the tourism industry is the largest foreign exchange earner, generating in excess of $1.0 billion per [year],” (2006, p. 1). This is partly due to the country’s beautiful beaches, tropical weather, and rich heritage. The authors explain that Jamaica ranks fourth among the top few countries in the Caribbean regarding tourism. Also connected to the tourism industry are the food and hospitality industries, allowing for a larger economic growth altogether. Stated by McCatty and Serju, the tourism industry is expected to grow in coming years:

Jamaica’s tourism industry, in particular, is projected to grow by 7.9 percent per [year] over the next 5 years compared to an average of 2.4 percent in the previous 5 years. This is expected to be facilitated by the construction of 12,000 new hotel rooms that would increase the current room stock by some 50 per cent. Expansion on such a scale will have a significant direct and indirect impact on the rest of the Jamaican economy. (p. 3)

In general, the tourism industry allows individuals with low skillsets to find employment: “The ability of the tourism industry to generate new employment opportunities, especially among the low-skilled group, makes the industry a critical component in the country’s development,” (McCatty and Serju, p. 3).

The tourism industry first began in the nineteenth century as the government of Jamaica signed the Jamaica Hotels Law into action (McCatty and Serju). The authors explain that the law was passed in an effort to encourage development of the tourism industry with the construction of hotels. A second Jamaica Hotels Law was passed in 1904. This law encouraged individuals to build hotels with forty or more rooms by offering tax exemptions as well as free materials for construction (McCatty and Serju).

Tourism in Jamaica is primarily focused in the areas of Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio (Stupart and Shipley, 2012). This is prominently due to the warm climate, blue water, and white beaches found in these areas. These regions continue the outlook on Jamaica as a tropical paradise known for its sun, sand, and sea. Natives are able to enjoy these amenities privately and in everyday life. Also, Jamaicans find identity in their country through the tropical environment. Natives enjoy sharing their cultural heritage with visitors in an attempt to enlighten them with their bold and bright history.

Jamaica is primarily known for its white beaches, blue water, and tropical climate. However, there is much more to Jamaican culture than its environment. Known for bold heritage, Jamaicans enjoy sharing their roots with one another along with travelers. Scoring low in Uncertainty Avoidance, Jamaicans accept their differences from others and embrace sharing their heritage. Jamaican music is home to a variety of forms and is a creative outlet to share heritage, along with an opportunity to associate with fellow natives. Cuisine in Jamaica is known for its bold and spicy flavors along with its traditional and organic components. Meeting with close friends and family daily reflects Jamaicans’ collectivistic attitudes, striving for strong relationships and the well-being of their close acquaintances. Tourism in Jamaica is an enormous contributor to its economic success and a common occupation shared by a variety of natives. Jamaican culture, bold and bright, is home to a plethora of welcoming individuals who are proud of their heritage and excited to share it.

References

Chang, K. O. & Chen, W. (1998). Reggae roots: The story of Jamaican music. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

Country comparison: Jamaica. (2016). Retrieved from https://geert-hofstede.com/jamaica.html

DeMers, J. (1998). The food of Jamaica: Authentic recipes from the jewel of the Caribbean. Boston, MA: Periplus Editions (HK) LTD.

Gray, O. (1991). Radicalism and social change in Jamaica, 1960-1972. Knoxville, TN: The University of Tennessee Press.

McCatty, M. & Serju, P. (2006). Tourism, economic growth & employment. Unpublished paper. Bank of Jamaica.

Savishinsky, N. J. (1994). Transnational popular culture and the global spread of the Jamaican

Rastafarian movement. New West Indian Guide, 68(3), pp. 259-281.

Stupart, C. A. & Shipley, R. (2012) Jamaica's tourism: sun, sea and sand to cultural heritage. Journal of Tourism Insights, 3(1), pp. 1-19.