Jamaica

When Foreigners think of the Caribbean they mostly think of people of color, however, after many travels and research they realize that the Caribbean consists of many different nationalities and cultures.

Jamaica is no exception. In Jamaica, one can find many native Jamaicans whose ancestors hailed from foreign lands such as England, Ireland, Asia, India, Israel, South America and Germany. Upon meeting them, one would think that they are tourists, but after a conversation it becomes quite clear that they are knowledgeable about Jamaica and its culture.

Their dialect of patois and Jamaican mannerisms would certainly convince any skeptical onlooker of their authenticity.

While I was growing up in Jamaica I became aware that a lot of businesses on the Island were owned by Jews. For instance, R. H. Hanna and Issa’s, both large department stores in Jamaica.

I would often question my Granny on Friday afternoons when their shutters were closed, about the dismal feeling of King Street.

Granny would comment, “It’s Sabbath and everybody is making tracks to go home now to serve God.”

I was not usually happy with this answer since buying material for frocks would have to be postponed until after the Sabbath.

Once Sundown had arrived all work ceased. This was always evident with my Grandmother’s bundles of toilet paper left around the house.

Supposedly, it was considered work to tear toilet paper from the spindle. So all that “work” had to be done prior to the Sabbath.

Granny and I would often engage in conversations about the diversity of Jamaica and the importance of practicing one’s culture. Although, in America and other countries, Judaism is viewed as a Religion, I realize that there were aspects of my upbringing that embraced being Jewish. Hence the terminology “Jewmaican“, that I often heard in fleeting conversations within my family.

During my childhood Granny always urged the importance of practicing the Sabbath and she had an absurd obsession with cleanliness. Like many Jews in America, Granny was compulsive about food preparation and personal hygiene. She also stressed how vital it was to be private in reference to “female” issues.

As a little girl, my Granny made sure that her grandchildren bathed three times a day, especially the girls. Granny would always joke, “ A young woman has to keep herself nice and rosy, A man will not want to get close to you if you smell like a dead rat.”

If any of her grand girls were experiencing their “monthly visitor” we were not allowed to handle food items or associate with the opposite sex. As a matter of fact, a lot of our activities were very limited.

When I questioned Granny about this ritual, she would often respond, “ It is all in the name of cleanliness!”

Apparently, many Jews believe that when a female is experiencing changes in her body, it releases inpurities. Thus making them unfit to participate in food preparation or handling.

As I got older, Granny talked to me about the sanctity of being able to have relationships with boys, however, it was crucial not to let them become too familiar with you. In her estimation, the only male that should touch or become familiar with a pubescent female is either her mother or husband.

Granny often felt that not everyone’s hands were clean and that the skin had an indefinite memory, therefore if a young girl allowed herself to be handled by many different males. It would take a long time to remove their aura from her. If they were not pure in heart, their toxicity was left on her, therefore, creating spiritual problems.

In modern society, so many women openly divulge their “female issues” without any ambivalence. My Grandmother often urged that it was necessary to keep your privacy regarding “feminine issues“. In a world where women parade around in their lingerie without any remorse, my Granny considered these acts sacred violations.

She felt that a young lady should have herself covered from head to toe at all times and be modest in her dressing. The only person that should ever view her “under things” or bare body should be her husband or mother.

Granny would say, “Make sure you keep your personal effects under wraps. If you make “just anybody” view your “girly items” you’re creating the atmosphere of familiarity and they may take certain liberties with you.”

My Grandmother always emphasized the importance of a woman maintaining her integrity and keeping herself above impropriety at all times.

When packing for trips she would remind me to keep my intimate garments away from prying eyes. Granny would reiterate that if someone other than a close relation touched them, the items would be deemed contaminated.

These are some of the reasons why it should be imperative that Customs Officers exercise caution when going through peoples’ personal effects. Sometimes, they are violating customs and religious rites.

When it came to food, Granny was adamant about cleanliness. She constantly “dinned” in my head, how important it was to wash your hands after using the bathroom. Picking one’s nose was never an option, she felt it was a bad habit and people would scorn you if you continually touched parts of your body and then pursued food handling.

At one point, I became so fanatical about hand washing that I may have developed a mild case of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I washed my hands so many times until they started to get sore.

All through my growing years Granny continued to address the uncleanliness of certain foods, like pork and crustaceans. She felt that pork was unclean and that consuming it, would make one sick, especially if it was not prepared properly. Granny also viewed Crustaceans, such as shrimp and fish as scavengers of the sea, and would continually remind me how unhealthy it was to consume these items.

If utensils were used to prepare any of these food groups, my Granny would quickly dispose of the pots and pans associated with them.

Living in Jamaica where a great part of our culture involved Jerk Pork, fish and shrimp. Sometimes denying myself of these foods were very difficult to adhere to.

Now that I am older and understand the importance of nutrition I try to indulge in a bacteria free diet.

So many foods today are processed and mixed with additives and preservatives, that a consumer is not certain that the products they are purchasing is germ free.

We are never certain who handles our food before we buy it at the grocery store. Therefore, it has become more prudent than ever to eat more refined and purified foods.

These were all the reasons why Granny persuaded me not to partake in junk food and stressed the importance of preparing home-made meals. She felt that when one dined at a restaurant they never know what germ or bacteria they are getting. The food may look divine, but the process might be deadly..

Today, I am an adult who has lived in America for many years and it has made me realize the “Jewishness” of my upbringing. From the “washouts” to remove impurities and the cerasee and rosewater baths to help maintain my healthy aura. I know realize my Granny’s connectedness to the Rastafarians or as I endearingly call them, the “Jewarians“.

Both religions are based on the purity of mind, body, soul and food, because they understand that ultimately the lack of being kosher affects a person’s health and spiritual well-being.

The lessons my Granny taught me has culminated into me being “Freshness Obsessed” with every aspect of my life. If any of my readers have visited the market lately, I am sure you can relate to why it is more important than ever to be fussy about the quality of products your family consumes.

So, I continue to thank the Messiah everyday for allowing me to grow up on the beautiful island of Jamaica with the Jewish influences that surrounded me.

If Granny was here she would lift her glass of grape juice and say L’Chaim!