CULTURE IN JAMAICA 

The Jamaican culture is a combination of various traditions who settled on the island and the first settlers: the Taíno Indians. Christianity is the main religion and which has more practitioners, also there are other religions: Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

English is the official language, although many Jamaicans speak a local dialect of English that incorporates African, Spanish and French words. the majority of the inhabitants are Christians, they are members of the Church of God, Baptists, Anglicans, Adventists of the seventh day, the Pentecostals and Catholics. There are several communities of Jews, Muslims and Hindus. Some popular sects, notably the rastafari movement (is the culture that prevails in the island, which has various ritosy festivals throughout the year), are a significant feature of the national religious life.

The Jamaica population has African origin or mestizo (with the Europeans), descended from the slaves brought to the island in the 17TH and 18th centuries.

Jamaica is divided into 14 municipalities, of which 12 are managed by municipal councils and the two municipal governments.

The main institution of higher education is the University of the West Indies (1948), located in Kingston; It has a library with more than 450,000 volumes. Jamaica also has various schools of vocational training and techniques, training of teachers and faculties of letters, Sciences, and technology schools.

The largest religion within the country is Rastafarianism, which recognizes Haile Selassie I, last emperor of Ethiopia, as the God made man. One of the icons was the singer Bob Marley, this singer is a Prophet for the Jamaican people and is responsible for the growth of the religion by his global fame.

JAMAICA MUSIC 

Jamaica is known for its rich culture and music, which have made the island famous in the world. The genres are:

• Ska
• Reggae
• rocksteady
• Dub,
• Dancehall
• Ragga
• Ragga jungle
• mento

The most popular music is reggae, with their different styles and blends such as: dub, dance hall, raggas, raggamufin, early reggae or reggae roots, released on a large scale by the Jamaican Bob Marley who through his music deepened and gave it to know around the world.

JAMAICAN FOOD  

Jamaica food is influenced by different cultures such as: African, British, Chinese, India, Spanish, Irish and Scottish. This mix of culture thanks to the Indians of Tainos used cassava, maize, guava, fish, roast and crabs.

POPULAR FOODS 

Merey del diablo: This fruit of Africa has become one of the ingredients most used in island cuisine, with fish can be prepared, you sufles and other popular recipes.

Dumplings: This meal comes the English influence, this is today the delicacy that gives life to the culture of Jamaica, mainly made of meat or vegetables.

Charqui: It is the most popular technique for seasoning and cooking meats, fish and vegetables, previously prepared in a base of chilies, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, onion, nails, vinagré, soy and rum.

Green Papaya Chutney: The natives were fed papaya or fruits of los angeles and years back this recipe contains bits of green papaya, mango and ginger, tamarind, vinegar and hot pepper juice.

Blue Mountain Coffee: Is recognized as one of the best in the world, is which takes the English royalty, but its production is low and your price is very high.

Jamaica pepper pork: Arawaks used pepper to keep food, gourmets describe this pepper as the result of combining ginger, nails, white pepper and nutmeg, so this recipe is very popular.

Rabbit rum: Ron always is present in the kitchen and in the life of the island. This dish requires a minimum 2 days of preparation and stands out for its intense and exotic flavor.

Pink ginger rum: Say that this drink resurrects dead, or can also kill you if you are the hand, helps digestion and removes hangover.

Sangter's: In one of the factories where they produce the spirits Sangster's Old Jamaica, from spices and tropical fruits, pure cane sugar and Jamaican rums.

The Rastafarian kitchen: Ital Rice with beans, Ital stew with dumplings of maize, zumosion, cassava bread, eggplant fritters, brownies rasta and the delicious drink flor de Jamaica. They say it is good to be present when the Rastafarians spiced food with herbs.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

• The Jamaicans have retained a taste for folk tales, music, and religious beliefs of their African ancestors. This explains that on the island to practice around one hundred different cults.

• They are very fanatical and they believe in spirits. For protect yourself from them, they have all kinds of strategies, as place of cutlery in cross and a bible near the headwaters of the babies to preserve his dream. 

• Also abound the healers, who have wise spells for the ills of its innabitants. Jamaicas grown humor and the banter, Take it all with some distance and philosophy, which may irritate those who feel worried and stressed.

v Geographic area: the Caribbean and Central America 
v Capital: Kingston
v Territory: Jamaica is a Caribbean island with an area of 11 thousand km2, the most important cities are:
      - Kingston
      - Mandeville
      - Montego
      - Bay
      - Ocho rios 
      - Negril

v Population: Jamaica has 2.8 million inhabitants 
v Official language: Language is English
v Climate: Because of its geographical location, Jamaica has a humid warm climate all year round with average temperatures ranging from 24° C  in winter to 27° C in summer. The country has two rainy seasons from may to June and from September to Novemeber