Growing up Jamaican, I learned...

Growing up Jamaican, I learned a lot about my heritage and culture. There were many things that I learned along the way that were very different from how Americans do things, whether it was eating dinner at 5pm or calling my parents on their birthdays. Here are some of the most interesting things I've learned from being raised in Montego Bay:

Jamaican people have a sense of humor.

Growing up Jamaican, I learned that humor is an important part of our culture. We're not afraid to laugh at ourselves or each other, and we often use humor to make light of difficult situations. This sense of humor is one of the things that makes Jamaican culture so unique and vibrant.

One of the things I love most about Jamaican humor is that it's often based on stereotypes. For example, we have a lot of jokes about how Jamaican men love to eat curry goat and how Jamaican women love to dance. These stereotypes can be funny, but they also help to reinforce our cultural identity.

Another thing I love about Jamaican humor is that it's always positive. Even when we're facing challenges, we find a way to laugh about it. This sense of humor helps us to stay positive and optimistic, even in the face of adversity.

Overall, I believe that Jamaican humor is one of the things that makes our culture so special. It's a way for us to connect with each other, to laugh at ourselves, and to make light of difficult situations. If you're ever feeling down, I encourage you to spend some time around Jamaican people. You're sure to have a good laugh!

Jamaicans love to eat.

Jamaican cuisine is influenced by many different cultures, but the main ingredient that ties it all together is rice. Rice and peas are a staple in Jamaican cooking, as well as fried plantains.

Jamaicans love to eat traditional Jamaican food, especially on Sundays when we go out for dinner or visit another family member's house for lunch or dinner. (or we make our own Sundeh Dinna) We often eat with our hands instead of using utensils because it makes us feel more connected to our culture and each other when we share food this way.

Jamaicans love their spicy food.

The first thing I learned about Jamaicans is that they love their spicy food. Whenever I ask my mother to make anything for me, she always makes sure it has some sort of spice in it, even if it's just a pinch of pepper or some hot sauce on top. She also loves cooking with curry powder and other spices that make her food taste amazing! This is why when people come over, they always think our house smells so good because we have a lot of different kinds of cooking going on at once--and they're right!

Jamaicans also love eating--especially breakfast time! They eat foods like ackee (a fruit), saltfish fritters (fried fish), fried dumplings made from green bananas called "backa" or "bakes" which are served alongside boiled green plantains called "bammy".

Jamaicans love music, specifically reggae and soca (and we can't forget DANCEHALL).

I learned that music is an essential part of our culture. It's something that we all love and enjoy, and it's a way for us to connect with each other and express ourselves.

One of the things I love most about Jamaican music is its diversity. There are so many different genres of Jamaican music, from reggae to soca to dancehall, and each genre has its own unique sound and feel. This diversity reflects the diversity of our culture, and it's one of the things that makes Jamaican music so special.

Another thing I love about Jamaican music is its energy and vibrancy. Jamaican music is always upbeat and positive, and it always puts a smile on my face. It's the perfect music to dance to, and it's also the perfect music to relax to.

I believe that Jamaican music is one of the things that makes our culture so special. It's a way for us to connect with each other, to express ourselves, and to celebrate our diversity. If you're ever feeling down, I encourage you to put on some Jamaican music and let it lift your spirits!

The culture is very diverse and almost everyone speaks more than one language.

Growing up, I learned that Jamaican culture is very diverse. There are many different languages spoken in Jamaica and even more dialects. Many Jamaicans speak more than one language, including English and Patois (a Creole language). This diversity makes for an interesting mix of people who have different backgrounds but share a strong sense of pride and identity as Jamaicans.

The rich history of the island spans over four hundred years from its first inhabitants to present day Kingston; it's no wonder there are so many stories to tell!

#SIDENOTE: While I was writing this, I just remembered a tiktok I saw with a young man speaking Jamaican Creole, check it out here:

You will never see this anywhere else but its a known fact amongst Jamaican's that every country has an accent. For example, the word, "EAT" is pronounced differently by different memebers of each parish.

There's a Jamaican word for everything!

There's a Jamaican word for everything. Growing up, I learned that there are so many words in our language that describe things better than English does. Some of these words have been around for centuries and still hold meaning today, while others were created recently but quickly became part of everyday speech.

Jamaican culture is rich with history, which means there are many words related to history as well: "belly-ache" (a person who complains too much), "come-down" (to lose power), "high-rise" (tall building). These words can also be used in other languages because they were derived from other cultures' traditions!

A lot of people have nicknames, like "Bigzz" or "Rasta."

Nicknames are a common way of addressing people in Jamaica. A lot of people have nicknames, like "Bigzz" or "Rasta."

Some nicknames are based on physical characteristics--for example, if you're tall and skinny, you might be called "Skinny." Other nicknames are based on personality traits: someone who is nice to everyone could be called "Kind Hearted." And some people have religious-themed names like "Bible" or "Christianity."

There are many different kinds of dance styles native to Jamaica, including popping, hip-hop, krumping and others.

There are many different kinds of dance styles native to Jamaica, including popping, hip-hop, krumping and others. These dances are native to the island nation and have been passed down from generation to generation. As you can imagine, there are many traditional outfits that have been worn by Jamaicans throughout history as well.

Conclusion

I hope that this article has helped you to understand more about the Jamaican culture, as well as some of its traditions. I would like to thank all my family members who have taught me these things and made me who I am today!