Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean sea south of America. It is famous to the world at large as the country of singer Bob Marley, reggae music and the Rastafarians. Despite that most Jamaicans are not Rastafarians.
The British took Jamaica from the Spanish in 1655 to grow sugar, making it one of the sugar islands worked by black slaves.
Jamaica now makes a living mainly from the beautiful white sands along the blue sea on the north coast where North Americans, Britons and others come on holiday. Since Jamaica lies in the tropics, it is like summer all year round. The places where visitors come to stay, eat and enjoy themselves charge high North American prices but pay their workers a low Jamaican wage. The owners keep the difference.
Money also comes in from Jamaicans working overseas who send money home to their families.
Since the middle 1900s, many have moved overseas, especially to Britain, America and Canada. Among them are the parents of Colin Powell and Naomi Campbell. Jamaica has good schools but it is still a poor country. Of those with a university degree, three in four have left the island.
In Jamaica the rates of murder and out-of-wedlock births are far higher than in America. Crime in Jamaica has been getting worse over the years. New York City is now safer than Jamaica.
Jamaicans come mainly from the Guinea coast in West Africa, especially from what is now known as Ghana and Nigeria. The British brought them to Jamaica to work as slaves for the sugar planters. Some of the slaves ran away to live as free men in the mountains. They are called the Maroons. In 1838 the British freed all the slaves.
Jamaica was part of the British Empire for over 300 years, from 1655 to 1962. It was one of the islands of the British West Indies, which broke up into separate countries in the 1960s.
Jamaicans speak English, but on the island it comes in two forms:
- British English – and, increasingly, American English – that everyone learns in school. It is the main form of English used by the rich and well-to-do.
- Jamaican patois that most people speak. It uses English words (with dropped h’s) with some West African words thrown in, but the word order and ways of putting things is different. To anyone who mainly speaks British or American English, it takes some getting used to, but it is not like learning a whole new language. It is English, just in a different form. It is like what Haitian Creole is to French.
Bob Marley sang in what was mostly British English, but Sean Paul sings in patois, just to give you an idea.
Most Jamaicans are Christians, mainly Protestants. Religion is taken more seriously than it is in North America.
A few practise the old African black magic called obeah, which works through evil spirits. It comes from the Yoruba in Africa and is something like the voodoo of Haiti.
Some Jamaicans, though not many, are Rastafarians. They smoke marijuana, read the Bible, believe in God, do not eat pork, do not comb or cut their hair (but wash it, thus the dreadlocks) and say that Haile Selassie, who ruled Ethiopia in the middle 1900s, was the Second Coming of Christ. Reggae music grew out of Rastafarianism.
See also:
I, a Jamaican approve this. It is well written!
Thanks! Jamaican-approved!
My family is from Jamaica (well on my mum’s side.)
Jamaica is paradise on earth if you just stay in the countryside
And have a little thing called money.
mikase and kom nuh man, mi wan go a mi yard fi nyam, unu mek wi gulang.
Abagond, Translate that with an American or British English dictionary!
Patois is old English (British, Scottish, Irish accented) mixed with words from Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Arawak and African languages (Ashanti, Igbo and Yoruba)–sprinkled with modern day English words to add color and flare–”de youth dem gwine mash it up!”
It was created by the first Maroons, who were African slaves who lived in the mountains together with the Taino (Arawak) Indians. The Spanish freed both the Africans and Tainos and gave them guns to help them fight against the British in 1655. This is how the Maroons began their guerilla style warfare against the British. They lived in the mountains and and continued to unleash hell on the British by recruiting and encouraging the slaves (British imported) to runaway into the mountains. At some point, they even made a deal with the British to help capture and return runaway slaves in exchange for free passage into towns to do business–once again the all mighty dollar had won–but this was short-lived, the British (as usual) betrayed them, so back to war.
Anyhow, it was from this group of ex-Spanish held Maroons that Jamaica developed it’s patois and fantastic jerk pork! Til this day, the Maroons live independantly on their own reservations. In my first sentence above, you’ll find words from 4 different languages combined.
My mother’s mother is Maroon–Grandma’s parents came out of the mountains around 1890′s. The white historians lied when they said the Tainos died out in the islands, all they did was procreate with the Africans and merged into a Maroon society. If you look up Taino, you’ll find information on how history was “white-washed” as far as the Arawaks/Tainos are concerned.
I believe I read an article that said that in places like Hispaniola (Haiti/Domincan Republic), the census was changed to call anyone mixed African w/Taino and pure Tainos “African” in order to convince the authorities in Spain that the Tainos were dying out and so more Africans were needed for slavery.
Maroon colonies and Census tampering had alot to do with the disappearance of the Tainos in Haiti/ DR (actually, most islands). Under the French, mixed Tainos/Africans were also called creoles.
Anyway, I digress–just wanted to elaborate (correct) on your Jamaican patois section and throw in my 2 cents on what I was taught about how it all began.
Forgive me here Abagond…
Some of the articles or more specifically your references/sources are very ‘Euro-centred’ in their perspective.
I am not quite sure of the relevance of the following statements :
“In Jamaica the rates of murder and out-of-wedlock births are far higher than in America…
And again this part is totally misleading.
A few practise the old African black magic called obeah, which works through evil spirits
And finally
[Rasta's] believe in God, do not eat pork, do not comb or cut their hair (BUT WASH IT , thus the dreadlocks)
Hmmm!!!
My point of view is not so much Eurocentric as probably just Catholic. As a Catholic I see murder, out of wedlock birth and obeah as ills and the Rastafarians as a bit strange. In America the Rastafarians are romanticized but not in Jamaica itself.
If you live in Jamaica I would think the climbing murder rate has “relevance”. For tourists it might not since the places they visit are much safer.
@ Linda:
I will do a post on patois in time (and probably the Maroons too). I had always thought patois came from the English Creole spoken in West Africa in the 1600s.
Thanks!!
I did not really want to go there, but Catholicism and Eurocentricism are in fact the same thing, both belong to
some other realm, that is not rooted in an ‘African centredness’.
I do not live in Jamaica but it also bears relevance for me in the UK, since I have family living there.
Lets for argument sake admit that that what you wote above is ‘accurate’ but also that which you CHOOSE TO SELECT to write on is also ‘valid’.
Even you must admit (even if you do not do it in this open space) that whether a Rasta washes his/her hair or not (which is a stereotype) has no relevance to the profile of a whole country??
Abagond, looking forward to your post, make sure you get it right though!
I mentioned the Tainos mixing with the Africans to stress how strong their influence was (is) on the creation of Jamaican culture as we know it today…Jamaica through foreign eyes is considered more Afrocentric than it really is because Jamaica was really put on the world map by Bob Marley (a Rasta), so most foreigners are not familiar with our history.
As you correctly point out, the Rastas are romanticized by everyone but Jamaicans and other islanders, and because their core philosophy was centered around the return to our African roots (with a detour through Haile Selassie), this led to the popular belief that Jamaica is more homogenized than it really is…Our African ancestry is blended into our culture–it does not dominate–the Irish left their mark pretty strongly and of course, as a British colony, their belief system was the foundation as far as work ethics, religion, and education.
Also, pay attention to the ethnic African tribes that each European country had liked to bring over–the French liked the Wolofs (Senagal coast), both the Spanish and French liked the Yorubas–since Spain dominated Jamaica first, the Yorubas where probably the Africans that mixed with the Tainos. The British liked the Coramantees (mostly Ashanti) but the French and Spanish did not, they believed the Ashantis to be too tempermental and prideful aka troublemakers.
To me, the British did too well a job in brainwashing my free and enslaved ancestors into wanting to be proper and well respected British subjects–as we know–the victor writes history…that’s probably why Marcus Garvey said “to hell with this” and moved to United States.
There is also another important fact pertaining to Rastas
and even the late Walter Rodney commented on it in his book ‘Groundings With My Brothers’
At a time when Jamaica tried to run away from its African heritage, it was the Rastas that helped keep this alive amongst the populace, until it is the norm to celebrate
Africaness throughout the island.
I am not including the Maroons since they were on the periphery of the ‘society’.
Finally its ‘Rastafarianism’ and not ‘Bob Marley’ who was an individual within that movement made Jamaica famous
Sorry J, without Bob Marley, Jamaica would have been just another island.
True, the Rastafarian movement had nothing to do with Bob Marley as far as it’s creation is concerned BUT it was because of Bob Marley why the world even knows about its existance.
Bob Marley was a Rasta, who revolutionized Jamaican music and brought reggae music to the masses…he introduced reggae to the world–
this was how Rastafarians were introduced to the world…not the other way around…no foreigners would have cared about “dreadlock Rastas” if not for Bob Marley being the international star that he was.
Per Jamaica’s high homicide rate, Ross Kemp did a good documentary explaining why this is:
http://www.guba.com/watch/3000089689/RossKempOnGangsS03E01Jamaica
my boyfriend was jamaican i love jamaica
A thing I wonder is how many people visiting Jamaica see an authentic Jamaica. How many just confine themselves to resorts in Montego bay, smoke some ganja and think they’ve experienced Jamaica? It seems illusory.
@ Tulio:
Wow, thanks for the documentary!
@ Linda, J:
I agree with Linda about Bob Marley, the Rastas and the deep British influence.
“I’m a Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta”
With regard to:
“Without Bob Marley, Jamaica would have been just another island.
this was how Rastafarians were introduced to the world…not the other way around…no foreigners would have cared about “dreadlock Rastas” if not for Bob Marley being the international star that he was”
Again it all depends on ‘perspectives’. In this instance it depends how much one wishes to take away credit from Rastafarians (a once pariah group in Jamaica).
I am not quite sure where to start here. Long before Bob Marley even became famous Reggae music was popular.
As early as the 1960s long before Bob Marley was popular Ska/Bluebeat (music that are precusors of Reggae) was already popular in England
Bob Marley was a Rastafarian reggae musician who helped to spread Reggae music/Rastafarian culture and it is through the spread of the music per se, Jamaica became famous.
As I said it all depend on ‘perspectives’ if it was not for the White English producer, from England who formed Island record label called Chris Blackwell, who formed ‘The Wailers’. One could argue there would be no Bob Marley if there was Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh and Chris Blackwell.
Further it was this same Chris Blackwell who helped to make the film ‘The Harder They Come’ with Jimmy Cliff.
At the time Regage music was developing much of the Reggae artists were Rastas, not all of them. Enough though to have a synonimity between Reggae and Rastas, as if Reggae was associated with Rastas
Its a false impression of history to say that an individual man based in a socio-musical tradition that existed before him (Rastafarian) and his rise in the music industry (Reggae) single-handedly made Jamaica what it was.
Its possible to argue that without the entrepreneurship of Chris Blackwell, none of it would have been possible.
Even though I have not seen it – and in a way I have chose not to see it. I would be very suprised if Ross kemp documentary is be insightful
There is a book whose name alludes me at this present moment in time that has it starting from 1945 upwards to explain the high homicide rate and one of those
factors again is U.S imperialism through the CIA in sponsoring the PNP Party …Oh oh, here we go again
ha ha ha ha
There is also another thing about Bob Marley, while he and his band were getting world wide accliam. Most Jamaicans were not really listening to his music.
The artist that most people then identified with back then is the late Dennis Brown who has the title of ‘crown Prince of Reggae.
Some would suggest that Bob Marley did not revolutionise
Reggae music, what he did along with The Wailers, and the I-Threes who replaced the original group.
In fact there are some who suggest in taking the music to the mainstream by adding Rock elements therein. Compare and contrast the Wailers ska and Reggae records and compare it to Bob Marley and the I Threes, you will see and hear the difference. He kind of ‘compromised’ the Reggae sound.
Why not look at it? The only effort it takes is a click of the mouse. Ross Kemp has a lot of interesting documentaries where he goes around the world interviewing gangs and seeing what makes them click, including MS-13 in El Salvador, the neo-nazi gangs of Russia and gangs in S. Africa. I like his documentaries, because he meets with the gangs, builds their trust and you feel like it’s very 1st person, as if you are interviewing the gang leaders yourself.
J,
Ska had nothing to do with Rastas..back in the 60′s and 70′s, my father was a session drummer in Kingston who played with Byron Lee and Toots and the Maytels…so I get where you’re coming from as far as roots and reggae…
we’re not discussing how Reggae was distributed outside to the world…Chris Blackwell was a business man with a vision who greased the machine for our musicians to move further than Harry Belafonte and his sugarpop calypso…
Credit for what? what did the Rastas do for Jamaica except play up to the white peoples perception of “Irie” and ganja…
…as I maintain, Rastas in the 60′s were then an unknown entity outside of Jamaica, if mainstream Jamaican society did not accept the Rastas, why would the rest of the world care…
if your family is from Jamaica then you should know that back then, Jamaicans were too Eurocentric in their thinking to even want to acknowledge the Rastas as part of Jamaican culture, much less have Rastas be a “representative” of Jamaicans…to me most of the so called “Rastas” of today are posers, playing up to the white tourists and their “vision” of Jamaica.
it was Bob Marley the world loved, and the Rasta culture went along for the ride…
I should clarify:
I believe we are discussing how Jamaica is perceived in the world–not about how we Jamaicans view ourselves.
Due to Bob Marley’s becoming an international star, the other Reggae artists such as Jimmy Cliff were able to benefit and break onto the international stage as well…
The Rasta culture somehow ended up becoming synonymous with Jamaican culture in most foreigners minds….”dreadlocks and spliffs, man!” That’s why I roll my eyes when these so-called white Rastas want to talk about the “yard”
But as I maintain–if you ask Vladimir in Russia, Billy in Kentucky, or Miyoki in Japan–what famous person is from Jamaica–they would all say: Bob Marley…
As I said, most foreigners don’t really know the “real” Jamaica.
Now I think we have come to the crux.
I had detected an anti-Rastafarian sentiment within your writings and this would explain the need to make Bob Marley a man but not a Rastafarian.
Have you heard of the song ‘Oh Carolina’ popularised by Shaggy??
There is a Ska version and it involves the drumming of the late Count Ossie who was a Rastafarian. So Rastafarians were even present then…
I am not quite sure what if my family is from Jamaica, then I should go back then?? Its a bit presumptuous to be saying such things, when you do not know me, and more importantly my personal circumstances.
Finally Bob Marley like any human being does not exist in a ‘vacuum’. Without Rastafarianism (the cultural context of his life) there would be no Bob Marley (the world superstar).
With regard to:
Due to Bob Marley’s becoming an international star, the other Reggae artists such as Jimmy Cliff were able to benefit and break onto the international stage as well…
Jimmy Cliff was in fact the ‘first’ Jamaican superstar. because of his role in the film ‘Harder They Come’ before Bob Marley
In fact it was he who Chris Blackwell had earmarked for global sucess. However, that venture failed and then Blackwell targeted The Wailers and teh rest is history.
It should also be stated that at this point when Blackwell targeted the Wailers he was not targeting Bob Marley per se. This only came later a bit like the saga when Dian Ross silit from the scene because Berry Gordy had bigger plans for her
With regard to why I do not watch the Ross Kemp video
on Jamaica, even though I have to click the link
I am aware he has made such films across the world, not only about Jamaica.
Ross Kemp is an ‘ordinary’ actor who appeared in a cheesy soap opera in the UK called ‘Eastender’. In this show he played teh role of a villain/thug etc, somewhat similar to the peopel his documentary about – but obviously not as violent.
He did not become a celebrity until his time in eastender. Furthermore he did not undertake any academic research as far as I know.
Since his role in Eastenders finished (I think he was murdered in the show). He has not obtained a regular acting spot on British TV… as far as I know.
Until the series of films Ross kemps and Gangs.
I hope this may provide some insight why I am very reluctant to click the mouse.
“I am not quite sure what if my family is from Jamaica, then I should go back then?? Its a bit presumptuous to be saying such things, when you do not know me, and more importantly my personal circumstances.”
J,
I never said you should go back to Jamaica…I believe you mentioned in a previous post that you had family from Jamaica…if this is the case, then I was infering that you are then aware of the Jamaican immigrant mindset.
I gather from this conversation that you are not Jamaican born and bred…which has no relevance to our conversation..but being that I am Jamaican born and bred..you presume to teach me…I do love to learn…and read your words with open-mindedness.
I cried when Jimmy died…he remains a true son of Jamaica in most of our minds…but Vladimir in Russia doesn’t know who the hell he is–but Vladimir has heard of Bob Marley….
you never asked me if I believe in the Rasta philosophy of living…so you cannot assume that I do not like them…
My views on Rastas are not anti…I am just stating my view, as a Jamaican, that Rastas have unwittingly created a stereotype of Jamaicans in the foreign mind.
As a proud Jamaican, I don’t appreciate the image of my country being reduced to Reggae, dreadlocks, and ganja, when tourists visit our beautiful sandy shores…
As for the music, Jamaicans of all faiths had a hand in developing Jamaican music from ska to dancehall…no one is disputing the religion of the musicians…”Rivers of Babylon” was really about the Jews but Jamaicans embraced it as a homage to our African ancestors …perception is a wonderful thing…
The point is and remains: Bob Marley put Jamaica on the map as far as the international community is concerned then and today…
He was also a Rasta–so the Rasta religion became synonymous with Reggae, and Reggae is synonymous with Jamaica…in the eyes of Foreigners (Europeans, Americas, Canadians, Asians, Africans) …where is the anti-sentinent….stop fighting the obvious….
Being born and bred has nothing to do with knowledge…Rather humility is more likely to lead to it first.
As for my mis-interpretation of your words then I apologise for that.
As some would be aware here my short-sightedness is becoming an apparent feature…very worrying I think.
Still no excuses and here is a second apology.
With regard to:
“My views on Rastas are not anti…I am just stating my view, as a Jamaican, that Rastas have unwittingly created a stereotype of Jamaicans in the foreign mind”.
This is fine and the ‘audience’ knows were you stand. I am not going to go any further into the merits of the argument, whether Rastas created teh stereotype of themselves, or others created it for Rastas?>
Its not my aim to affect change here.
However,what I would say here is that there are many people here puting forward ‘facts, ‘positions’, sometimes ‘assumptions’ not because they are ‘true’, but rather because there are some other factors at work ie dislike, eurocentric, religio-centric
I also do the same but the exception is I make my perspective clear and at the same time I will show that their can be different perspective as with the role of Chris Blackwell which I sighted.
I sense our conversation has thus come to a natural progression, since you have explicitly revealed the underlying assumptions behind your thoughts
Then let me plain:
We’ve been talking “at” each other and not “to” each other because it seems you and I are not discussing the same issue..
which to me is: how Jamaicans are viewed abroad (internationally) and my opinion is that this stereotype became prevelant due to the international success of Bob Marley.
You are trying to discuss or infer that Rastafarians have made Jamaica famous prior to Bob Marley’s success—this is your opinion and I disagree with your opinion.
You disagree with my opinion and that’s all good
I do admit that I am a nationalist…I am arrogant about my nationality–just like most Jamaicans–this is not an assumption but a fact
I am proud of my little island and it’s accomplishments outside of music “Bigup Usain”–just like most Jamaicans…I take nothing away from the Rastas because as you mentioned, they also added to the collective…
do I appreciate foreigners reducing us to “splif smoking dreads”–absolutely not…nor do I like fake Rastas playing up the stereotype for profit…that’s my personal feelings…
I’ve read everything you had to say with an open-mind…I didn’t dispute anything you had to say about the evolution of Jamaican music because the things you mentioned are relevant and have merit…even if you attained the knowledge via personal experience, reading a book, or Google (not saying that you did), I am still respective of what you contributed to this discussion.
Anyway, J, “one Love”
as you said our discussion has ran it’s course…
I appreciate you educating the masses on the Jamaican music scene…
and J,
as the resident music historian, you should have corrected me when I said..Jimmy Cliff died…I meant Peter Tosh..
Jimmy, forgive me!
I do not undertstand I am afraid…
So I am going to try to use your own words here.
You say the following:
a. “how Jamaicans are viewed abroad (internationally) and my opinion is that this stereotype became prevelant due to the international success of Bob Marley.”
There seems to be a shift in emphasis here. This point seems to hint at Bob Marley the ‘man’ being responsible since, and I repeat again. You say:
“my opinion is that this STEREOTYPE became prevelant due to the international success of Bob Marley.”
Following this reason to its logical end, if any one is to be blamed for the stereotype of the smoking of ganga, saying the phrase ‘irie’, unkempt hair and presumably not washing it, having countless babies etc then it is with Bob Marley himself.
Since as you say:
“…I am just stating my view, as a Jamaican, that Rastas have unwittingly created a stereotype of Jamaicans in the foreign mind”.
Again
“The Rasta culture somehow ended up becoming synonymous with Jamaican culture in most foreigners minds”
And again
“…BOB MARLEY WAS A RASTA, who revolutionized Jamaican music and brought reggae music to the masses…HE INTRODUCED REGGAE TO THE WORLD – THIS WAS HOW RASTAFARIANS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE WORLD…no foreigners would have cared about “dreadlock Rastas” if not for Bob Marley being the international star that he was”
further still
“..Credit for what? what did the Rastas do for Jamaica except play up to the white peoples perception of “Irie” and ganja”
and once again
“…it was Bob Marley the world loved, and the Rasta culture went along for the ride…”
Hmmm!!
what’s your point, J?
With regard to:
and J,
as the resident music historian, you should have corrected me when I said..Jimmy Cliff died…I meant Peter Tosh..
Jimmy, forgive me!
I saw that mistake but in my ‘humilty’ I decided not to point it out to you and/or others here. And perhaps its a good job too.
If in my ‘humility’ I chose not to point it out, and I am called the ‘resident music historian’ . Then I dread (forgive the pun here) to think what other appellation you would have chosen to designate IF I HAD CHOSEN TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR MISTAKE.
Its not clear to me. Why you could not have simply come back on here and said I made a mistake in an earlier post. and leave me out of the equation.
However, as I said previously, many posts have an underlying force often hidden that motivates them – but not the facts’
For you to take offense at being called the “resident music historian” shows that you have no sense of humour
and if you do, then in your humility–you’re keeping that underwraps as well…
you have basicly analyzed and stomped this topic to death!
With a huge smile on my face I say: J, peace out and one love…
Lynn Taitt, the Jamaican guitarist widely credited with creating the “rocksteady” bassline ie the intermediary between Ska and Reggae music passes away
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/LYNN-TAIT_7347330
And a good way for me to sign out.
It being Bob Marley’s earth-day, a fact that nearly escaped me.
“So Much Trouble in World”…So true!!!
@Abagond
Most Jamaicans are of African descent – I think practically everyone knows that. Europeans as well of course. Fortunately these days we know more and more about the history of the island, especially with regard to the indigenous Tainos.
Yet it strikes me – not a word about Jamaica’s ethnic minorities. Nothing about (Asian) Indians. Or Chinese. Or others. Anyone would think we are not only invisible, but don’t matter.
@ Bulanikgirl,
trust me, most people have no idea there are other ethnic groups in the whole caribbean, let alone jamaica. even most asians (indians AND chinese) know nothing about their diasporas in the islands. most asians don’t even know the caribbean is not in africa! if you’re concerned about asian-caribbeans’ acknowledgement in the international scene you have a LOOOOOOOOOOT of ignorance to overcome.
Did you a LOT of ignorance or only a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT? LOL.
Incredible but true.
honestly it’s so much i don’t know how to properly quantify it, thus the generic LOT with however many extra Os. LOL
are you asian-caribbean by any chance?
It was an education for me, It was a beautiful island Dunns riverfalls was fun. I like the ghost story about the witch of Rosehall. The food was good.