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Growing up Caribbean 🌴

Through my eyes.

By IAM SimplyShanPublished 3 years ago • Updated 2 years ago • 7 min read
4
Growing up Caribbean 🌴
Photo by Lakeisha Bennett on Unsplash

Growing up caribbean means a lengthy list of things to me but for starters , I'll say that it means growing up in a strict household. With rules on top of rules that are set in stone from the very moment you are born. Sometimes I think some were created while on the womb ! I swear . Lol. Okay maybe I am exaggerating a slight tad.. but not really.. It really felt like that anyway . Although I was born in Canada 🇨🇦. I grew up spending A lot of time In Westmoreland, Jamaica .

I knew at a very young age that my hometown was special. Jamaica itself that is. It had a special kind of magic to it. Let me clarify , not the kind of magic that you see in movies or read in books. It’s the kind of magic that you feel in the air or see in the scenery. It is absolute pure bliss. The air is so rich and clean, wildlife is abundant and flourishing. There is always that serene and tranquil essence in the atmosphere. The sunshine warmth feels so nice on your skin, how can you not want to be happy ?! I could walk out of my house and look and just appreciate the beauty of the palm trees throughout.🌴 Simplicity at its finest. From what was then versus now ! Jamaicans can turn anything into something.

By Ethan Robertson on Unsplash

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Grab yourself a coconut water 🥥 , or a red stripe and a hammock. Let’s get into 8 truths of growing up Jamaican.

1. You WILL have Tea in the Mornings.

By Cibao Chua on Unsplash

Jamaicans believe that everyone should have tea. Children especially , are encouraged to have some form of tea in the mornings. Or shall I say , at least something WARM. Parents and grandparents often offer tea to their children in the mornings before they head off to primary and high school. Our trips to Jamaica included many fuss of having tea each day. When I was a child I absolutely hated tea . I remember it tasting flavour less. I believed in my mind it was solely for the old people ! “Why are they making me have this old people drink?!” So as an alternative I had Milo. Milo is a malted chocolate powder typically mixed with hot water or milk . It is produced by the company Nestle . I grew up is up calling it tea.

I now am an avid tea drinker ! I guess it’s not just for old people after all lol!

2. You count on a Jamaican to make a song from every single thing.

By Lee Campbell on Unsplash

One thing you’ll learn very quickly about Jamaicans is the creativity. It is unmatched.

Music allows us to share our culture with a sense of humour and light-heartedness that makes the challenges of daily life so much easier to handle. Especially old school reggae. The most simple thing as a mango , you can count on A Jamaican to incorporate that into a catchy and trendy song . Don’t believe, research some Jamaican songs and take in the lyrics.

The lyrics in this song in particular, are encouraging hope and to know impossible is just an opinion. The intro chorus:

“Spread your wings”

Nothing is impossible, believe (how yuh mean)

If I can do it you can spread your wings (dweet)

Nothing is impossible

If I can do it you can spread your wings

Blessings haffi flow like A River. ✨

3. Kids grow up on Reggae and/or Dancehall music.

By Nate Greno on Unsplash

Reggae and Dancehall are the two most popular genres of music in Jamaica. Depending on the household, a child will grow up hearing generations of reggae and/or dancehall being played around the house. Not quiet either . Every function ended up turning into a big dance . Cleaning up on the weekends or in general without music playing in the background was just not A thing . Even some of the Gospel had a reggae spin to it . Music is in pretty much everyone’s DNA.

4. Hitting the BEACH on holidays is a tradition.

By Uwe Jelting on Unsplash

There is just something about public holidays that makes Jamaicans want to go to the beach . Doesn’t matter what , but a beach day it is ! Having a bathing suite didn’t stop you from enjoying the beach either . You are not missing out on the fun! If you want to see alot people , or get acquainted with locals in Jamaica, try visiting on the public holidays—especially Emancipation Day (August 1) and Independence Day (August 6).

Hellshire Beach

Beach day in Jamaica calls for all the relatives , rum and some good eats ! In the Caribbean, everyone is family. Everyone. It’s not uncommon for someone from the Caribbean to spend most of his or her life thinking someone is related to them, only to find out that the person is just a good friend of the family. I can not count how many times , I ask till this day . “Is this person related to me for real?” The answer to that question may , or May not influence if I listen or not .. That’s because anyone who is your parent’s age is known as your “Auntie” or “Uncle,” and anyone who is your age somehow becomes your cousin.

Aunties x sister x cousins đź’•

Sunny Weather + Family = BEACH DAY! 🏖

A vibe. Lots of laughter , love and memories to last A life time.

5. Olympic Season, an exciting time.

By Kyle Dias on Unsplash

Olympic season is one of the most exciting times in Jamaica! Especially the dominance of Jamaican athletes in Track & Field. This nation is known to be the birthplace of several world-renowned sprinters, including the fastest runner in the world, Usain Bolt.

Everyone comes together, cheering on the fellow Jamaicans . You can count on it being extremely noisy. Some Aunty or Uncle shouting at the TV as if they can hear them ! Every four years, Jamaicans get ready to cheer on their favorite athletes as they compete for medals at the games. Jamaicans go to bars, restaurants, and town centers all throughout to watch all the races and events. I remember as a kid , telling my classmates , Usain Bolt was my uncle and the coolest man in the entire world. He definitely isn’t my uncle but he is the fastest and coolest man in the world.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s fastest sprinters.

Usain Bolt

Bolt is a three-time Olympic Champion and former World Record Holder.

6. Dominos , a serious game .

Gather some people , rum , music and some good ol Domino's. You’ve got yourself some entertainment! It gets real loud , and gets real competitive. In all good fun though . I just always knew to leave the grownups to play .

7. Peppery Food

Scotch Bonnet Pepper 🌶

There’s no meal where hot pepper sauce is forbidden. Many Non- Jamaican friends may think that you have some kind of super-human strength when they see you dump all that hot sauce on your plate. The truth is that we developed a tolerance from eating so much spicy food since we were a child ! Some dishes will have your nose sweating from the spice. You have to talk to the cook first , for them to remember to put your food aside prior to the pepper . This step is very important or your mouth may be on FIRE literally .

8. You run on Jamaican time.

By Bradley Ziffer on Unsplash

Jamaica runs on its OWN time and everyone better be eerie with it ! You can never truly be late unless everyone has already packed up and left. Even then , you can catch a ride with someone else . To be honest having a watch is pointless most times! So in true Jamaican style, your non-Jamaican friends will learn sooner or later that they need a lot a of patience because “soon come” doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be there anytime soon or they even left their house . Yes, if you hear soon come . You already know . As I grew older , it’s just something you learn to understand.

Disclaimer * I like to be on time and like to make sure I am organized as possible. If you are somebody , who likes to move on your own time . Be sure to rent car . Driving in Jamaica is another topic for another day !

Every breath you take is a blessing, regardless of your personal or financial circumstances. The Caribbean mentality definitely focuses on celebration but when you think about it, life is just one big party, isn’t it?

Many people from the Caribbean come from some very tough upbringings, but that’s no excuse to live miserably. The land of turning dreams to reality .

It may seem like a lot, difficult even but at the end of the day it makes me stronger and these characteristics are what makes us all unique. I absolutely love my Caribbean roots. I live, sleep, and breathe them and wouldn't change them for the world.

“Blessings haffi flow like A River.” Mi seh

Jamaica will forever be HOME🌴 ❤️

-SS

caribbean
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About the Creator

IAM SimplyShan

Analytical, Food for thought stories and experiences through my eyes.

-Ss

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