Jamaica has a rich and diverse culture blended from around the world. Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many, One People”. The majority of Jamaicans are of African descent having replaced the native Taino Indians as slaves in the 17th century. Of the 2,868,380 inhabitants, descendants include those of Indian, Chinese, Arabian and European heritage. Jamaica’s rich and ethnically diverse society is reflected in its influential culture; in music, cuisine, religion, art, clothing and folklore.
The official language of Jamaica is English, distinguished by a strong Jamaican accent. Informally, the language of Jamaica is Patois a musical dialect combining English, Spanish, Portuguese, African phrases and Jamaican slang. Jamaica’s Patois is considered to have originated from West Africa and has been influenced in particular by the Twi language as well as Mendi, Igbo, Efik, Yoruba, Kongo, Kimbundu, Ewe and Mandinka.
The Jamaica National Flag came into existence on August 6,1962, Jamaica’s Independence Day. It was designed by a bipartisan committee in the Jamaica House of representatives. The two black triangles represent historical struggles and hardship, the green triangles represent agricultural wealth and hope, and the yellow cross-stripes represent sunshine and mineral resources. “Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth" is the verbal symbolic form of the Flag.
Jamaicans have a musical heritage that stems from their African and European roots. Reggae music is Jamaica's most recognized sound. These thumping sounds are rich and infectious and encompass expressions of personal freedom, independence, religion, and gossip. Jamaica's most famous musician is Bob Marley whose influence helped bring Reggae music into the Jamaican main stream. Jamaica also has a strong tradition of folk and religious music. The tradition of graphic arts began with indigenous Taino sculpting and pottery and has continued with the evolution of the African tradition. Jamaica has a long tradition of pottery, including items used in everyday domestic life, which is referred to as yabbah. There is a West African tradition of basket and straw mat weaving, seashell art, bead making, embroidery, sewing, and woodcarving.
