Jamaica - Culture Articles

3 Jamaican Jokes: "A Slow Boat", "HiJack" and "Magic Trick"

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:45:02 UT

One day, an ant, a butterfly and a snail were hungry and decided to run a boat. So ant said to butterfly,"go fly out some food dung a di shap nuh" butterfly said," mi too tired"

Pantomime: What Is For You - Part 15 by Aisha Scales

Aisha Scales — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:45:02 UT

The next week with my parents absolutely flew by. The three of us were constantly on the go, going from one end of Kingston to the other. We went to Lime Cay for a day and to Gloria’s in Port Royal for dinner, went up to campus to look at my parents’ old stomping grounds and my current ones, and visited what seemed like an endless number of family and friends. Mummy and I also found time to go shopping for my New Year’s Eve dress. The one we found was absolutely gorgeous and I couldn’t wait to wear it. I tried not to wonder what Kevin would think of it, and tried to ignore my mother’s incessant chatter in my ear after we'd bought it, telling me that he would surely leave his girlfriend to be with me once he saw me in it.

Christmas in Jamaica: What Is For You - Part 14

Aisha Scales — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:00:02 UT

After we had finished our meals (and I had gotten my Devon Stout ice cream), we decided it was time to call it a night. My parents were exhausted; their long day had finally caught up with them and they were ready to get some sleep. Adrianne was the only one who still had energy, probably because of the invigoration of her announcement, and the positive reaction that I envied her for. She had one of her friends pick her up right from Devon House so that she could go out for a few more hours.

The Big Announcement: What Is For You - Part 13

Aisha Scales — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:30:02 UT

For the rest of that night, I could barely contain myself. The upcoming dinner was the only thing that I could think about. I was dying to tell Adrianne what I was going to say the next night, but I stopped myself. No, it will be more fun if I tell everyone at once. They're all going to be so excited!

Jamaican Joke: Hair Cut

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:30:02 UT

One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he goes to pay the barber and the barber replies: I am sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I am doing a community service. The florist is happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the barber goes to open his shop, there is a 'Thank You' card and a dozen roses waiting at his door.

Jamaican Joke: Horse named Holly

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:30:01 UT

One night a man was was relaxing watching TVJ when out of the kitchen came his wife with a pan -BOOF!- "a who name Holly?" asked the wife. "Mi jus see a paper eena yuh pocket wid di name 'Holly' pon it, WHO IS SHE?".

Jamaica National Song - “I Pledge My Heart"

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:30:02 UT

Growing up in Jamaica children had to learn the National Song for schools, “I Pledge My Heart". It would be sung at the beginning of the school day at devotions or before students when to class. In many cases the Jamaican Anthem was sung first and then the song “I Pledge My Heart".

Jamaican Joke: The Bank Loan

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 13:30:01 UT

An Jamaican man walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. He tells the loan officer that he is going to Jamaica on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000.

Christmas Time Come: What Is For You - Part 12

Aisha Scales — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:30:07 UT

Sunday morning, as I lay in bed, I thought back on the night before. Pretty good night overall, I thought with a grin. I had spent a lot of time with Gary, who fortunately hadn’t asked me any questions about Kevin, and had a good time with him, but eventually Kim and Arlene had dragged me away. While I was off with them, yet another guy, a very good-looking young businessman named Mark, had approached me. He was a recent grad of a university in Florida, and now had what sounded like a pretty high-powered job with one of the local rum companies.

Jamaican Joke: Round of Drinks at the Bar

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:30:02 UT

A Jamaican guy walks into a bar and shouts, "When Mi drink, Everybadi drink!". Everybody is cheering him and applauding like crazy.

Guinep: What Is For You - Part 11

Aisha Scales — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:30:02 UT

The next couple of weeks passed by fairly uneventfully for me. Omar and I went to the library together once to study, but that was the only time that we spent together in those two weeks. He’d called me asking to go out on various dates, for lunch, for dinner, to the movies, but I would always turn him down. After a few occasions like that, I could tell that he was gracefully taking the hint. He still called me often, just to chat, but he eventually stopped asking me to go out.

Still A Foreigner: What Is For You - Part 10

Aisha Scales — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:30:01 UT

Part 10 of the ongoing tale of Jamaican-Canadian Nadiya Foster and her year at UWI...I lay around in bed for almost an hour after I woke up on Sunday, and probably would have stayed there even longer if Cassandra hadn’t come knocking on my door. “Good morning, sleepy head,” she said after I had opened the door to let her in. “Time to get up. Arlene and I are going to the library, yu wan’ come?”

Taming Celeste - Chapter 4 - J.L. Campbell

Joy L. Campbell — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:30:02 UT

The police come to see Celeste to find out what she knows about the murder. She refuses to admit to knowing anything about the killer.

Tags: action, adventure, romance

Sun, Sand and the Green-Eyed Monster: What Is For You - Part 9

Aisha Scales — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:30:02 UT

Part 9 of the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-Canadian student who heads back to UWI for a one-year exchange program at UWI.

Taming Celeste - Chapter 3

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:30:01 UT

Mark stretched his legs, leaned against the seat and closed his eyes. He needed sleep. He had stayed up late last night ensuring that the list of car parts waiting at customs matched his order. He glanced around the stark waiting room and let his shoulders droop. Without knowing it, he had been a knot of worry as he waited to hear the outcome of Celeste’s procedure. A woman called his name. He looked up and the nurse’s uniform snapped him to full attention. He got to his feet. “Can I see Ms. Davies now?”

Tags: action/adventure, romance

Air Jamaica Vintage & Nostalgia Photos

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:30:02 UT

We have added over 20 photos of Air Jamaica's past to our Air Jamaica photo gallery. Check out these new Air Jamaica Vintage & Nostalgia Photos today.

Jamaican Joke: The Raffle

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:30:02 UT

A Jamaican moved to Barbados and bought a donkey from an old Barbadian (Bajan) farmer for$100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day, the Bajan farmer drove up and said, "Sorry, but....

Jamaican Joke: Working at the Zoo

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:30:02 UT

A Jamaican living in the States was down on his luck. Out of work and broke, he started going around to various companies in the city begging for a job, any job.Finally he got to the zoo. The zookeeper looked ...

New Vintage & Nostalgia Jamaica Photos

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:30:02 UT

We have added over 30 new photos of Jamaica's past to our Nostalgia photo gallery. Check out these new Vintage & Nostalgia Jamaica Photos today.

Why do Jamaicans Run so Fast?

D. George — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:45:01 UT

We Jamaicans have dominated the past three Olympics in track and field. After each, the question is asked, “Why do Jamaicans run so fast?” With Usain Bolt’s dramatic sweep of the 2012 Olympic track and field events, many theories have been put forth, but they all ignore the inner strength and fortitude of the Jamaican people.

Window Shopping: What Is For You - Part 8

Aisha Scales — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:30:01 UT

Part 8 of the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-born Canadian-bred university student who heads back to Jamaica for a one-year exchange program at UWI.

Taming Celeste - Chapter 2

Joy L. Campbell — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:25:00 UT

Celeste scanned the shuttered buildings across the street before turning the air conditioning in the Prado to a higher setting. Between the restaurant and the vehicle, the chill during the past hour had seeped into her bones. She rubbed up and down her arms and looked across at Orette, who seemed immune in a navy suit. "My blood is turning to ketchup in my veins."

Tags: adventure, fiction, romance

Taming Celeste - Chapter 1

Joy L. Campbell — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:30:01 UT

One woman’s quest to outrun her past and shape the future leads her into the dangerous world of software piracy. Celeste Davies must outwit ruthless players if she is to protect Mark Weekes, the only man who makes her feel complete.

A First Date: What Is For You - Part 7

Aisha Scales — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:30:01 UT

This story tells the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-born Canadian-bred university student who heads back to Jamaica for a one-year exchange program at UWI. -My weekend with my grandparents went by quickly, and was the perfect amount of time to spend in the country. It was relaxing being there with them, without any books or any loud noise from hall, and of course, they spoiled me rotten while I was there. I probably ate more that weekend than I had the entire week before.

A Trip To Country: What Is For You - Part 6

Aisha Scales — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:30:02 UT

This story tells the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-born Canadian-bred university student who heads back to Jamaica for a one-year exchange program at UWI.

Settling In: What Is For You - Part 5

Aisha Scales — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:30:02 UT

This story tells the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-born Canadian-bred university student who heads back to Jamaica for a one-year exchange program at UWI

Culture Shock: What Is For You - Part 4 by Aisha Scales

Aisha Scales — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:45:01 UT

This story tells the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-born Canadian-bred university student who heads back to Jamaica for a one-year exchange program at UWI.

Campus Life: What Is For You - Part 3

Aisha Scales — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:30:02 UT

This story tells the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-born Canadian-bred university student who heads back to Jamaica, the land of her birth, for a one-year exchange program at UWI.

An Old Friend?: What Is For You - Part 2

Aisha Scales — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:30:02 UT

The car was parked nearby and it wasn’t long before we were driving down Palisadoes Road, along the strip of land that connected the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island. Although I was concentrating on the conversation with my family, I just couldn’t keep my eyes on any of them. I was too busy looking out the windows. Every time that I came back to the island and was driving down Palisadoes, I felt like I had to devour everything I saw with my eyes, as if, if I didn’t, it might all disappear. As I talked about how school was going,

The Arrival - What Is For You : Part 1

Aisha Scales — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:01 UT

We are please to announce a new serial "What is for You". This story tells the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-born Canadian-bred university student who heads back to Jamaica, the land of her birth, for a one-year exchange program at UWI. During her year away from home, she reconnects with family, makes new friends, enters the St. Andrew social scene, and most importantly, falls in love. “What Is For You” is a love story, about Nadiya and the charming Jamaican medical student, Kevin Crawford, but it is even more so a love story about the island of Jamaica: her culture, her people, her beauty and her history. Topics touched upon include Rastafarianism, the arts in Jamaica, garrison politics, and classism and shadism.

What's in a Song? - A List Jamaica Independence Festival Song Winners : Countdown to Jamaica 50

Karen Mitchell — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:30:02 UT

Edward Seaga once stated that the main reason for the inception of the Jamaica Independence Festival was to have to, "...have something to mobilize the spirit of the people," to celebrate after the long arduous process of achieving Independence in 1962.

Kingston: Vintage Jamaica - Countdown to Jamaica's 50th Independence

Karen Mitchell — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:30:01 UT

What began as just another balmy picturesque day in paradise, ended for its inhabitants as the day the world as they knew it, violently shook and was literally casted upside down. By 1907, Jamaica, the tiny "...verdant beauty..." set in the middle of the Caribbean, like the magnificent jewel she was considered at the time, had established its resilience to Mother Nature's occasional tempestuous fury. Kingston, the bustling harbor town built integrally as a preferred alternative in terms of location to the city of Port Royal, (which had eventually succumbed to repeated tropical onslaughts of natural disasters), had experienced exponential population growth and was the country's center for commerce and trade.

Tags: earthquakes, Jamaica earthquake 1907, Jamaica historical events, Karen Mitchell, kington post office, tony callum, vintage jamaica

Vintage Jamaica - The Tramcar

Karen Mitchell — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:30:01 UT

There are those that are quite surprised by the discovery that in 1845, with the installation of a steam railroad line between Kingston and Spanish Town, the Island of Jamaica was among the first in the Americas to establish a tramcar system as a means of "modern" mass transportation.

Anansi-a-dead-oh!

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:25:00 UT

I know this is late, but me just get the news. I cant believe is true so I’m writing to authenticate the veracity of the statement that dem a plan up fe kill off Anancy. See yah ma, when Aunty Girlie tell me frighten, me frighten so till that me almost drop dead right there on the spot. Same time me bawl out ‘Murder! Blue murder!’

Marketing 101-Yardie Style

Darnatz Darnatz — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:40:00 UT

If you’ve ever done a course in Marketing you would know the importance of the FOUR P’s-product, price, place (location) and promotion. Any marketer worth anything will tell you that if you do not focus on these four things-yuh product nah go sell. That might be true but it seems that these fancy-schmancy marketers may need to come take a course in Marketing at the University of Downtown Kingston, Jamaica, cause wi good bad enuh.

The Vital Role Jamaican Cartoonists Play

Margaret Juliet Bailey — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:30:02 UT

The English definition of a Cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. The work is usually of a humorous nature and created for satire and informative purposes. Cartoons are used for entertainment, commentary and for the enlightenment of political issues.. A vital part of the Jamaican culture has been the cultivation of several brilliant artists who remain unknown due to their love of true art, and refusing to sell out to commercialism. Jamaica has been fortunate to have two distinguished Cartoonists in their midst whose Artwork or Cartoons have been seen all over the world and created social awareness for Jamaica.

Lyrics-De Jamaican Way

Darnatz Darnatz — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:30:02 UT

I have always been amazed at how bold, bright, brazen and bumptious our Jamaican men are when it comes to dropping lyrics. I am convinced that the things that women have to endure from some of these men happen only in Jamaica.

Only In Jamaica - Part 1: The "Masacraw" Of The Queen's English

Darnatz Darnatz — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:45:01 UT

Being a full-time mom, wife and a part-time teacher does not often allow me the time to engage in one of my favourite past-times, writing. My husband has been prodding me for years to write more and I keep telling him I have no time, which is true, but I believe maybe I needed to be inspired. So started my quest:"What should I write about?" and then it hit me-Jamaica!!! After all there is much on the rock to fill a thousand books. So here's the first look at a series I like to call "ONLY IN JAMAICA-PART 1: THE "MASACRAW" OF THE QUEEN'S ENGLISH.

Why Daddy Eats Patty Every Saturday

Brittany Murphy — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:30:02 UT

Back in Jamaica when Daddy was a boy he and his younger brother, Andrew, found some brown seeds in their bathroom cabinet one Sunday morning. They had no time to investigate what type of seeds they were so they dropped them by the front gate when they were on their way to church.

Video: Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto?) song Opera Style

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:30:00 UT

Check out the video of the opera version of Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto?). The video was the winner of our recent Best Jamaican Christmas Song contest. Congrats to our winner TheaterJock.

Why I Don't Go To The Market

Nicolé Walton Sharpe — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:45:01 UT

I wish I could go to the market. Coronation Market, specifically. It's so much cheaper to buy your fruits and vegetables there, rather than the supermarket. But I can't go to the market. At least, not by myself. Because I simply do not speak the language necessary to get the market prices. I do not speak patois.

The Twin - part #1 – Granny B’s funeral in Jamaica

Yvonne M. Herivaux — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:45:00 UT

The ultrasound confirmed my fears, twin, and two boys; at age 36 this was considered a ‘high risk’ pregnancy, however, I managed to go through the entire pregnancy without a hitch. I worked up to the day before I gave birth to two healthy, cute boys weighing in at 5lb.8oz, and 6lb.2oz. They were the pride and joy of my husband and me, until he left us when they were 15 months old, which leaves me to take care of them physically by myself.

My mother’s 5 favorite Jamaican proverbs – Happy Mothers day !!!

X Murphy — Mon, 03 May 2010 09:00:01 UT

As mother’s day approaches I’ve been reflecting on the advice my mother gave me using Jamaican proverbs. She has used many great Jamaican proverbs to steer me in the right direction while growing up. There are a few Jamaican proverbs that stuck with me throughout the years. Here are my 5 favorite Jamaican proverbs from my mother and what I learned.

Jacob DeCordova, the Jewish Jamaican who founded the Jamaica Daily Gleaner newspaper

Pauline Ford-Caesar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:00:01 UT

The official motto of Jamaica “Out of Many, One People” is one that is readily apparent in the faces of the people of Jamaica. Indeed our strength as a nation is a result of Jamaica’s unique ability to rise above color and race and in so doing create institutions that stand the test of time. No more is that more evident that in the Jamaica Daily Gleaner a newspaper founded by a Jewish Jamaican, Jacob DeCordova in 1834 and which is still going strong 176 years later in 2010.

Chinese New Year : In Jamaica

Easton Lee — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:00:01 UT

AS children growing up in a village shop in rural Jamaica in the 50s and 60s Chinese New Year was one of the times we eagerly looked forward to. Perhaps more so than Christmas. In fact the celebration was called by our Jamaican friends “Chiney Chrismus”.

The Plane With The Broken Neck

Tony Tame — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:30:00 UT

By now you must have heard all about the spectacular arrival of American Airlines flight 331 which ended up in three pieces on the sand of thePort Royal

road.

Playing Translator For The American Doctor In Jamaica

Margaret Bailey — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:37:37 UT

The esteemed American Doctor, Ted Hofflin was determined to go to Jamaica to research their Medical practices. His first day at St. Joseph's Hospital was not as straight forward as he thought it would be.
While he sat in the Doctor's lounge trying to absorb the culture that surrounded, he felt confident that he would be able to pursue his research without a hitch.

Bridgette Jones' Diary - Part 3

bridgette jones — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:33:04 UT

After 7 long months in the good old US of A, Bridgette is quickly realizing that life in the land of the free and the brave is not as peachy as she originally thought it would be.

Bridgette Jones' Diary - Part 2

bridgette jones — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:31:14 UT

Bridgette is invited to a church Tea Party and she has nothing to wear. She then sends a message to her cousin Sharon asking her to send certain special items.

Bridgette Jones' Diary - Part 1

bridgette jones — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:22:59 UT

After 3 weeks in America, Bridgette buys a camera from a neighbor and records her first letter to her friend Sharon back in Jamaica.