Why So Many People Love Jamaica
Yes, a lot of people enjoy visiting Jamaica? I wondered why and so this is my personal take on just one of the many reasons why Jamaica is so popular around the world.
Well that is a story
that needs to be told to be understood. The far reaching effects of Jamaican
culture actually came about as a result of a catch 22 situation. The people who
love Jamaican culture are actually the nexus of why Jamaica is so loved. Let us
get back to the genesis of the story.
As the story goes Christopher Columbus was
looking to find gold for the Crown of Spain. His ship got caught in the Trade
Winds and he was marooned on the island of Jamaica. Well that signaled the
demise of the Taino Indians who were living on the island as most of them
succumbed to the illness that were brought by the Spanish.
So anyway we are
talking about the beginning of a relationship between the Spanish and Jamaica.
Needless to say the Spanish brought their way of cooking: example escovitch
fish. They also brought animals such as donkeys, goats and cows.
They named
many places in Jamaica:
Ocho Rios (Eight Rivers)
The first capital of Jamaica
Seville in St. Ann
The second capital of Jamaica Spanish Town which is built
and preserved as an exact replica of Spanish architecture and many more.
So the
Spanish had a big influence on Jamaica’s culture.
The second major outside (international) influence on Jamaica’s culture began in 1655
when the Spanish were removed, from their seat of power in Jamaica, by the English. This came to a climax in 1658 in
The Battle of Rio Nuevo. This was
the largest battle to be fought in Jamaica.
Anyway, the English won and with
then came:
The change of our language to English.
The dividing and naming
of Jamaica into three counties: Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey.
The introduction
of their style of cooking such as: pudding, beer.
Well the English continued
their sojourn in Jamaica making it one of the largest sugar producers ever. The
English were at this time exporting banana and sugar to Europe and North
America. However, this was not to continue as the Jamaicans who hand now changed from Arawaks to mostly Africans were
tired of the harsh living and the
painstaking works of producing sugar. In 1882 or thereabout there was an
official on the books cessation of slavery. However, this led into what is dubbed "The Apprenticeship" period. The slave owners were paid 20o million pounds for their loss and during
this apprenticeship period there came an influx of indentured laborers to Jamaica.
So the Lebanese, the Syrians, free Africans, Chinese, Germans, they have a town
where only Germans live, the East Indians and all these persons came with their
knowledge and culture.
So now you know why Jamaica is the big melting pot of
cultures so no wonder the motto 'Out of many, many people and trials, one people.
So, anyway, back to
our story, let me give you an example of how Jamaicans forged their culture:
Ackee: originally from
West Africa cooked with saltfish from Norway and served with breadfruit from Hawaii
Tahiti. That’s Jamaican culture for you.
Curried Goat: Curry
from India and the goat originally brought from Spain. This is a delicious meal
served mostly in December but now served throughout the year. Curried goat
served with white rice.
Rice, well you know who
originally love rice.
So any major cultures can find a reflection of themselves, their customs, or their food in Jamaican culture. Not to mention that over the
years Jamaicans have established their prowess in many fields such as medicine, music, world liberation, athletics and still one of the premier destinations for tourists.
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