Traditional Jamaican
Customs and Practices

Unusual Jamaican Customs, contributed by Tracie Blake

As a Jamaican, I must say that we are indeed special. The way we walk, the way we talk, even the way we approach and address situations.

And, along with our uniquely “colourful” nature comes our own set of unique customs and traditions.

This is a part of what makes us so special and sets us apart from the rest of world. The old adage, “you can spot a Jamaican in any crowd anywhere in the world” could never be truer.

A lot of our customs have originated from our English background. One such instance is where the English would greet each other by shaking hands. Today that is how the men greet each other; women hug each other. 

Our custom however, prevents us from greeting a person by their first name unless invited to do so. This is seen as an act of disrespect and is practiced socially and professionally.

How do we react to each other intimately?

Well, many locals believe that whether you are married or not, a man proves himself to be "a man" if he fathers a lot of children, the women are looked to for giving birth to at least one child or else they become the  bane of society- being teased and touted by their peers until they do so.

Even so, religion plays a great part in Jamaica’s custom.

There is a church on every corner of the island and you can be rest assured that they are full to capacity over the weekends. 

Christian Church Service

Even if the parents do not get to attend church, the children are sent to church whether they like it or not. See Intriguing Jamaican facts.

The religious culture plays a huge part even in dining, as every meal has to be prayed over or blessed before it is eaten.

For the most part, meals are had in front of the television or at the dinner table however, under a tree, at the doorway or anywhere that is comfortable to sit works just fine - especially for those in the rural parts.

After dinner especially on a Sunday afternoon, the women sit and relax watching television or just chatting, while the children go off and play by themselves and the men go out to, play or watch, football (soccer), cricket or dominoes.

School Boy (Football (Soccer)

Uncle Toney and friends playing a game of dominoes

There is nothing we Jamaicans love more than our public holidays and on these days we head to the beach in bus loads.

Other noteworthy Jamaican practices includes:-

• Playing the lotto by assigning a number to something you dream about. Therefore any and everything dreamed about has the potential of being a winning number.
• If a valuable is missing and it thought to be stolen, a ring is spun around like a gig/top on an open Bible and names of suspects are called out loud. If the ring stops spinning when a name is called, that person is deemed the culprit.
• When coming in at nights, enter the house backwards prevent spirits from entering. Then, hang a dried corn above the doorway to keep them out.
• All newborn babies are dressed in red clothing to prevent ghosts from "playing" with the baby thereby causing harm to the baby.
• If a child is asthmatic, have the child stand straight upright at a banana tree and use a machete to chop the tree above his head. It is believed that this will cure the asthma.
• At the death of a loved one, members of a bereaved family, along with their friends and families, come together on the night before a funeral to celebrate the 'nine night'. See What is a Nine Night in Jamaica? 

There are a myriad of other beliefs and customs which are practiced, especially in rural areas of the island, so the aforementioned are just a few. Didn’t I say we’re colourful? :-)

See also: The Jamaican People - Our Lifestyle, Customs and Tradition

Other Pages Related To Jamaican Customs

• The Jamaican Bride - The Custom & Practices
• The Mystery Of The Jamaican Cotton Tree
• Religion in Jamaica
• Jamaican Art
• History of Jamaica
• Travel Tips
• Our User Forums
• Our Blog Page

Back to Top of Jamaican Customs & Beliefs

Return to Jamaica Culture from Jamaican Customs
Return to My Island Jamaica form Jamaican Customs

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

SHOP JAMAICAN Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Can I Ship Plants or Trees from the U.S. to Jamaica?

   Jul 12, 25 10:14 PM

   Question from Kelvin, USA: Can trees and shrubs from the United States be shipped to Jamaica? I'm building a house in Jamaica. Hey Kelvin!

   Read More

2. Where Can I Find an Affordable Draftsman in Jamaica?

   Jul 12, 25 10:01 PM

   Question from Paul, Montego Bay: I am looking for a list of draftpersons who can take my sketches of floor plans and reproduce them into technically

   Read More

3. Jamaican Arrowroot: The Stomach Soother Passed Down Through Generations

   Jul 11, 25 09:13 PM

   Ask any elder in rural Jamaica about what to give a baby with tummy trouble, or someone recovering from illness, and chances are you’ll hear this

   Read More

4. What Documents Do I Need to Return to Jamaica as a Citizen?

   Jul 09, 25 08:49 AM

   Question from Richard Rowe, USA: Hi Wellesley, I was born in Jamaica and have my original birth certificate as proof. I emigrated to the United

   Read More

5. 101 Medicinal Herbs Of Jamaica- Top Natural Healing Herbs Of Jamaica

   Jul 08, 25 06:40 PM

   
   Here they are! The top 101 medicinal herbs of Jamaica. These ancient wonders that have provided effective natural healing from our parents and fore-parents. Ready?

   Read More