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What is it Like Living in Jamaica?

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community_marching_band_jamaicaWhat is it like living in Jamaica? | Community Marching Band

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

People travel from all across the globe to visit Jamaica on vacation. Why? So many reasons from the beaches to our culture, the music, food natural attractions, nature, the warm and the even warmer personalities of our locals. In short, Jamaica brings a balance of enjoyment and relaxation, you can’t really find everywhere else. Have you ever heard someone say  “ I live where you want to vacation”? Well, that is true for me, as a born, raised and living in Jamaica, Jamaica. As someone born, raised, and still living in Jamaica, I'd like to share an insider's perspective on what it's really like to live in this beautiful island nation, including insights into education, religion, and the world of work.

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A Cultural Melting Pot

Firstly, Jamaica is a melting pot of cultures, influenced by the indigenous Taino people, African heritage, Spanish, British, Indian, Chinese, and many more. This rich blend is evident in our music, food, and daily life.

Education: Nurturing the Future

Education is key, which is what many of us Jamaicans grew up hearing on a daily basis. Without education, you have no chance of success. I for one started school at age 2, which is completely normal in our culture even though the official education system really starts at around age 4 at the infant school level. After infant school or what you might call kindergarten, there are the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Primary and secondary education is compulsory and free for the most part. Public schools are the norm, but private institutions offer alternatives for those who can afford them. 

Primary school is where the cultivation of dreams and friendships begins. This is when we start breaking off into our different friend groups during breaks to scarf down food as quickly as possible so we can get to playing games, from Mamma Lashy, Dandy Shandy, Stuck and Freeze and so much more. And in the evenings we stay back to play netball, run track and field or play cricket. At the end of grade six we take the GSAT (now PEP) exams and our grades for the most part determine which high school we are placed in. 

In high school, once we get to grade 11, most of us would do around 8 CSEC subjects, mostly based on what career path we intend to take. There was a time when very few high schoolers had aspirations of attending university because of limited resources, now there are many more opportunities available and most graduates matriculate to Upper 6 or dive right into a tertiary program.

Religion

Even though we have a reputation for being a bit rambunctious and lewd in our music, Jamaica is a very religious country. We are predominantly Christians but a good number of us are Rastafarians as well as Hindus, Muslims and many other religions. Our religious background is a core part of our morals and values as a people, hence why as a nation we haven't been open to many changes. It is an absolute must for us to get christen at some point, mostly by 3 months old (I for one got christen at the very big age of 7) and as children are expected to attend church every weekend, Saturday or Sunday, whether or not our parents attend church as well.

Many of us also get baptized quite early but by the end of high school to the start of entering the workforce things change and people start to what we call “backslide”. Not to worry as most do return to church as adulthood progresses.  Church isn't just getting to a building and worshipping for us though, it is how we bond and create memories and new experiences and friendships. We have social events like camps, rallies, crusades, and many church clubs as well.  

We are a religiously diverse people and have learned to not only respect but also celebrate that, which creates a sense of unity among us.

Work

Our major workforce sectors include tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and BPO services. The tourism and BPO industries are significant contributors to our economy, providing jobs for a considerable portion of our population. These are where many persons enter the working world especially if tertiary education wasn’t an option for them.

While formal employment is essential, entrepreneurship and the informal economy also thrive here. Street vendors, artisans, and small business owners are a common sight, and highly necessary too. Jamaica wouldn't be Jamaica without being able to stop at a cookshop and grab a “box food”, or walking down the street and being able to stop and buy a pepper shrimp. Even as tourists, can you imagine Jamaica, where you wouldn’t be able to stop in the craft markets to purchase art pieces, trinkets and other souvenirs to take back home with you?

Community and Family Values

Here, our neighbours are not just “people”, they are in many ways an extension of our own families, and you will find that we argue, fight and make up just like families do. It's a norm, especially in rural Jamaica to see the children of the community head out together to school, church or simply go to the river. While the Moms will find any and every reason to meet up and chat and the men will gather at night to play a round of dominoes or have a drink.

Respect for elders is paramount in Jamaican society, and as children, we are taught to greet elders with a polite "good morning" or "good evening”. Community gatherings for usually entail football games, Fundays and much more.

Living in Jamaica is an experience filled with warmth, vitality, and cultural richness. While we face challenges, we are resilient and determined to create a brighter future for our nation. The strong sense of community, rich culture, and love for our homeland continues to be the driving force behind the island so many of you love just as much. 

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References & Sources For What is it Like Living in Jamaica?

  1. Popular Culture In Jamaica. (n.d.). My-Island-Jamaica.com. https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/popular_culture_in_jamaica.html

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