10 Fascinating Things About Jamaican Culture 

The island of Jamaica is a place full of rich culture, history, and beauty. From its beautiful beaches to the inspiring Jamaican people, there are many things to love about this tropical paradise. Here are 10 fascinating things about Jamaican culture that you might not know!

Most Jamaican families are headed by women.

One of the most fascinating things about Jamaican culture is that most families are headed by women. While in some cultures, the majority of households are headed by men, in Jamaica, it is more common for women to be the head of the household. This is due to the fact that many men leave their families to work abroad or in other countries.

After the birth of a child, some rural Jamaicans bury the placenta and umbilical cord in the ground, then plant a sapling over the spot. 

In Jamaica, after the birth of a child, some rural Jamaicans bury the placenta and umbilical cord in the ground. Then they plant a sapling over the spot. The tree is known as the baby’s tree or “navel-string” tree.

This is done to ensure that the child will be happy and healthy throughout his or her life.

Some Jamaicans hold nine-day wakes for deceased persons. 

Jamaican culture is rich in history and tradition. In fact, one of the most fascinating things about Jamaican culture is how much emphasis they place on death. The people of Jamaica hold nine-day wakes for deceased persons. The wake is a time to respect and honor the departed soul. For nine nights, family members and friends share food and sing hymns, saying goodbye to the deceased.

Jamaicans tell Anancy tales which are based on a folk hero called Brer Anancy, half-man, half-spider, who lives by his wits.

Brer Anancy is usually portrayed as a trickster who outwits other characters, who are usually animals. He is also an example of how Jamaican culture has been influenced by African storytelling traditions.

Every newborn in Jamaica has a red chemise. 

In Jamaica, red is the official colour to ward away evil spirits.

This can be explained by the fact that many Jamaicans are people who want nothing more than to keep evil spirits away from their loved ones. 

When it comes to babies, they will use anything that they believe will give their children good luck. This explains why they make sure their babies wear red chemises because they believe it will ward off evil spirits.

Ackee and Saltfish is the Jamaican national dish.

One of the most important elements of Jamaican culture is the food. The national dish is ackee and saltfish. Ackee is a fruit that grows on a tree, and it looks like a heart-shaped egg. It’s yellow when it’s ripe, and when it’s not ripe, it’s red. When you cook the ackee fruit with saltfish—a kind of dried fish—you end up with a dish that tastes like scrambled eggs!

The most common greeting in Jamaica is a firm handshake accompanied by direct eye contact and a genuinely warm smile. 

Jamaicans are very polite and respectful to elders, so if you are fortunate enough to meet a Jamaican national, you should be prepared to shake their hand. They are very friendly people who enjoy meeting new people, so don’t be surprised if they want to chat with you for a while before getting down to business.

It is rude to use a person’s first name without their permission 

In Jamaican culture, it is appropriate to wait until invited before using a new acquaintance’s first name. In fact, it is considered rude to use someone’s first name without their permission. This rule goes for all levels of society, from street vendors to the Prime Minister himself. The only exception to this rule is when speaking to children or very close family members.

Pregnant women don’t attend funerals

Jamaicans believe that it is unlucky for a pregnant woman to attend a funeral. It is believed that the spirit of the deceased will haunt the baby, so pregnant women are expected to avoid funerals.

Newborn babies are passed over the casket of a deceased family member so the person does not try to play with the child anymore.

In Jamaican culture, it is believed that when a person dies, their spirit will try to play with their favorite people and animals. This can cause problems for the surviving family members if they are still mourning their loss. 

To prevent this from happening, newborn babies, especially those who were close to the deceased person, should be passed over the casket so the person does not try to play with the child anymore.

Also Read: Jamaican Food: 3 Perfect Foods You Must Try While on Holiday in Jamaica

Takeaway

As you can see, Jamaican culture is fascinating. There are a lot of things to learn about this island nation, but if you’re looking for a place to get started, these ten facts are a good place to start.