Enjoy Your
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The Carols
The radio stations start playing carols quite early, sometimes as early as in October! My favourite radio DJ, Francois on Fame FM, is guilty of this.
We play all the popular carols that you'll probably associate with the western cultures.
- Silent Night,
- Away in A Manager,
- The First Noel,
- Holy Night,
- ...you name them
But remember, Jamaica is the home of reggae music, so you bet; we also do them -reggae style!
Concerts and Parties
Christmas concerts are very popular leading up to the day, and they are in every area of public domain.
They are in the schools, in the community centers, the workplaces, the squares, and even some of the churches that once denounce the celebrations decades ago.
The parties are never ending!
Honestly though, that is my main problem with that time of the year- I tend to spend all my money way before the actual day!
And if all the concerts and parties were not enough, there are the Christmas Eve Balls and final parties the night before.Here the merriment continues until daylight.
Traditionally families go to the town areas and the cities on Christmas Eve-for nothing more than the lights and the thrill!
The traditional 'JohnKonnu"- An African inherited celebration brought by our ancestors, is not too popular in the city areas these days, but it too is quite exciting.
Decorations
The decorations do start quite significantly early as well. Houses are painted and 'pepper lights'[Christmas Lights] as-we call them- goes up, even on trees!
But wait until Christmas morning!
You will see the most elaborate ornamentations. The newest curtains, table cloth, sheet sets etc. goes up!
The Food
But perhaps the most telling part of Christmas in Jamaica is the food!
Despite the poverty by many, everyone seeks to present the most elaborate, expensive and appetizing dishes on the table.
Curried Goat, Pork, Chicken, Oxtail, all served with Rice and Gungo Peas forms the entree!
Some of the more affluent families do include ham and imported Turkey. And there is also the sorrel and Jamaican Christmas Cake!
Both requires special care to be done in time for Christmas.
For the Christmas cake, fruits are soaked in red wine and white rum for months before Christmas! Rum is also an integral part of the sorrel punch preparation.
Charity Initiatives
Between the fun, food and frolic though, we never leave out the charity. Both individuals and corporations do share the Christmas spirit by giving.
My community club, the Retirement Sports and Social Club, sponsors an annual Children's Treat too. Many public and private sector companies donate freely to this cause at this time of the year.
By the way, I included a few of those Christmas treat pictures from last year on my main pictures page.
Family Reunions
My favourite part of Christmas in Jamaica though is the family togetherness. The actual day is spent at home-usually at the family home with friends and families.
I can't wait for the family reunions at that time!
My uncle, Toney cherishes this time of the year. Myself and him kinda assumes the lead role (and the bigger costs) in the annual preparations.
Last year we chartered a bus and went to 'Little Ochie'. The food was awesome and we had the best of the best---and lots of it!
So you see, we have no snow nor chimneys, but Christmas in Jamaica, while reflective- is a scintillating experience!
Below are a few of the pics I took on our way to, and while at the famous beach side in 'Little Ochie' for Christmas 2006!
For more Pics from Jamaica Go to my Pictures Page.
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