pre-indian history of jamaica

by Princess Bambi
(Jamaica)

QUESTION:

What was life like before the East-Indians arrived in Jamaica?

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ANSWER: April-21-2009 by Wellesley Gayle

Hi Princess Bambi,

I'll answer your question by quoting from the early history of Jamaica page on this website.

"...there is very little we know about the early history of Jamaica,however, there is enough to give us some insight.

Any study of the history of Jamaica would consider the three main eras, the Aboriginal, the Spanish and the English- in similar order. So naturally, for this purpose, we'll focus on the very first group- the aborigines.

The aborigines, or earliest recorded inhabitants, of Jamaica is recorded as the Arawak Indians- also called The Tainos.

Originating from the region of the Guianas and Venezuela, they sailed northwards in their dug out canoes, ventually settling in each of the island of the Antilles, from Trinidad to Cuba, and arriving in Jamaica.

It is believed that they they came in two waves- the first (the so-called 'redware people') around AD 650, and the second sometime between AD 850 and AD 900."... the complete article here>>


Related Pages:

Historical Events in Jamaica.
Colonial History of Jamaica
History of Art in Jamaica
The Jamaican Maroons
Jamaican Culture.

Revivalism in Jamaica

by Simone
(Spanish Town,Jamaica)

Question
What are the types of revivalism groups in Jamaica?

Answer:9/30/2008 by Wellesley Gayle

Simone,
I am not sure about the groups.

Please try this page and follow the link and see what you find.
https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/revivalism_in_jamaica.html

I am looking forward to the comments for other locals.

How does Jamaican revivalists dress?

QUESTION:

How did, or how does revivalists dress?

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ANSWER: June-22-2009 by Wellesley Gayle



Revivals attire themselves in many different ways for different occasions.

Fundamentally though, they are mostly attired with a head wrap known to many as turban -some will have various attachments in it, such as a pencil, ruler, candles etc - pleated skirts and blouse to match.

Some revivalist wears a gown as well. Even though some may be attired in this way, there are revivalist who dress like other christian protestant denominations, but traditional revivalist are normally dressed in their turban, pleated skirts or gown.

They tend to wear a lot of African type/print materials as well. (See picture above)

I hope that helps.
Stay in touch.

Related Pages:
More on Revivalism in Jamaica
Religions in Jamaica
Jamaican Tradition and Customs
Our Blog Page.
AND EVEN MORE...Search Here


Reference:

Holly Allen- My revivalist friend.

Features on Jamaica's coat of arms

by Ariel Roberts
(Jamaica)

Question:
What is the meaning of the features on the Jamaican coat of arms?

Answer: 9/29/2008 by Wellesley Gayle

Hi Ariel,
All the figures on the coat of Arms represents Jamaica in different aspects:

• The Pineapples - as the indigenous fruits.
  
• The Tainos – as the first inhabitants of the country.
  
• The Crocodile – as the indigenous reptile in the country and
  
• The use of the Royal Helmet and Mantlings is a unique distinction accorded to Jamaica by the British.
  

Please take a look at this page below for more.
https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/jamaica_coat_of_arms.html

What are the most celebrated Jamaican celebrations?

by Tegan
(Australia)

QUESTION:

Can you please answer this question?
What are some celebrations that are very special to Jamaicans?

ANSWER: May-26-2009 by Wellesley Gayle



Hi Tegan,

I'll answer you by quoting from my Jamaican Celebrations page:

"Generally speaking our Jamaican celebrations pays tributes to, recognize, and honor our people -past and present- our culture, our music, our food, and everything that defines us Jamaican.

We have lots of them and there are year round! If you ask me, I would probably tell you they fall into four categories...": The Music Festivals, National Holidays, Food Festivals, Cultural Celebrations. Please see the entire article here.

I hope it helps. Stay in touch Tegan.

Related Pages:

Jamaican Costumes
Jamaican Holidays
Traditional Jamaican Dances
Jamaican Culture
Our Jamaica Blog
And even more...Search Here

Jamaican Christmas table decoration

by Jerry
(East Texas, United States)

Question
My Church is having a ladies Christmas brunch. I have signed up to set a table. The theme is Around the World.

I want to do a Jamaican table. Please help with some ideas as to what goes on the table.

For instance, what would the tablecloth look like? What kind of centerpiece would I have? What sort of colors would be used? What sort of plates, cups and glasses would you use? I just need some ideas to make my table look like it will represent Jamaica.

All the brunch food is prepared at the church and served buffet style. So far I find foods used at Christmas in Jamaica but not the basic table decoration.

Thanks for any ideas.

Answer: by W.Gayle, Nov.16.2008
Hi Jerry,

Super idea! I love it.

I would say though that based on how you described it, the dinner table (setting)will look similar to how you know it. We typically go with red table cloth though, but you may want to get creative and use red and white with some sort of lace (skirting) depicting the Jamaican colors. That should do it. {Make sure it blends nicely)

You said you are already aware of the foods so that's good, but please, whatever you do, make sure not to forget the Sorrel and Jamaican Christmas cake!

All the best.

Useful links:

• Christmas in Jamaica
  
• Jamaican Fruit Cake
  
• Jamaican Sorrel
  
• Jamaican Recipes
  

History of Wakefield, Jamaica

by Linda

How was the name given to the place? Who founded it?

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ANSWER: May-07-2009 by Wellesley Gayle



Hi Linda,

Please check with the National Library of Jamaica. They should be able to help a lot.
Here is there contact information.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF JAMAICA
12 East Street, Kingston, Jamaica
Telephone: 876 967-1526, 967-2516,967-2494, 876 967-2496
Fax: 876 922-5567
Email:nlj@infochan.com; nljresearch@cwjamaica.com

Stay in touch.



Related Pages:

Famous Places in Jamaica.
Spanish Names of Places
Major Cities
Jamaican Culture
5 Intriguing Facts.

Buddhism in Jamaica

by Janice
(Ocho Rios,Jamaica)

QUESTION:.

Where can I find Buddhists in Jamaica? Do you have a phone number or address?

ANSWER: September-29-2009 by Wellesley Gayle



Hi Janice,

I personally don't know, but I am leaving this question open to comments from others who might know about the religion in Jamaica.

Stay in touch and watch the comments (below).


Related Pages:

Rastafarian Faith
Jamaican Culture
History and Culture Q & A
Facts about Jamaica
Our Jamaica Blog
And even more...Search Here

Jamaican Sayings

by Anonymous

Question
What does the Jamaican saying 'mi a go run aboat' means?

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Answer by W.Gayle, Jan-11-09

Hi Anonymous,

The term is actually 'run-a-boat'.

If someone said that to you, it simply means they are going to prepare a meal- they are going to cook!

It implies preparing a fast meal though.

The Jamaican Sayings, Jamaican Language, and Jamaican Dictionary pages may be of further help.

Stay in touch!

understanding sean paul lyrics

by shahzade
(tehran, iran)

QUESTION:.

Hi I have some questions:

>What does "cau di girls weh we pokin' got to smokin'" mean?
>What does "dem love how we flow king hear dem shoutin'" mean?
>What does "we be earnin' dollars turnin' cau we mind deh pon we pay" mean?
>What does "gal dem a page mi, wah fi rage mi" mean?
>What does "we a di gal dem pro dem know we flow wid di lyrical content dat mek dem dip low" mean?
>What does "sean-da-p gal a cruisin' but refute it, cau, we a di gal dem champion, got nuff a dem like di great king solomon" mean?
>What does "from dem ready fi yuh hype night just gimme di light, and, mek we blaze it di roof we haffi raise it" mean?

Excuse for a lot of questions, but I can't understand some of this word especially because the words are not English. Hope can help me.

Thank you so much.

This is my mail "jolios.sezar@yahoo.com"


ANSWER: September-14-2009 by Wellesley Gayle



Hi Shahzade,

Very interesting questions.

Although I am a born Jamaican, I must admit I have a little challenge writing and reading patois (Jamaican creole). I speak it very well and understand it clearly if listening, but the minute it goes to paper I have a problem - interesting huh?

The challenge is compounded because I am not sure which of the Sean Paul song you are speaking to.
I'll defer to one of my ardent site visitors to help me out on this one.

Stay in touch and watch the comments.

Related Pages:

Reggae Music
Jamaican Culture
History and Culture Q & A
Jamaica Travel Guide
Our Jamaica Blog
And even more...Search Here

How did Lacovia in St. Elizabeth Jamaica gets its name

by Anonymous

QUESTION:

How did Lacovia in St. Elizabeth Jamaica gets its name?


ANSWER: May-13-2009 by Wellesley Gayle




Hi there,

This was extracted from Wikipedia.org:

Lacovia is a town in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, located on the Black River between the Upper Morass and the Lower Morrass.

The name derives from La Caoban, the name of the place during the Spanish occupation. Following the English invasion it was called Coby.

In 1784 it consisted of 20 houses and was the first capital of Saint Elizabeth, being the home of the Quarter Sessions and Petty Courts.

It was the home of a group of enslaved Madagascans who left the locality to join the Maroons prior to the First Maroon War.

Related Pages:

Famous Places in Jamaica
Spanish Names of Jamaican Places
Places to Visit in Jamaica
Major Jamaican Cities
Our Jamaica Blog


Source: www.wikipeida.org

Is it legal to smoke ganja in rastafarian churches?

by Michelle
(USA)

QUESTION:

When I was in Jamaica I was told by a tour guide that it was legal to smoke pot in churches and the Bob Marley house. Is this true?

ANSWER: May-11-2009 by Wellesley Gayle



Hi Michelle,

I am inclined to say Yes.

I have never been there, nor to any other Rastafarian celebration, but I think Rastafarians are given some leeway there.

I know for example, the Nyabinghi movement that has their annual celebrations/crusades and the smoking on marijuana is a central part of the event, but only on that compound.

I don't know that the structures are called 'churches' though.
Stay in touch Michelle.


Related Pages:

The Rastafarian Faith
Jamaican Travel Stories
Our Jamaica Blog
Jamaican Hair
Jamaica Religions

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