“ Out of many, one people”.

 Columbus landed on the island in  Jamaica was a Spanish colony in 1494 to 1655 and a British colony from 1655 to The colonial period was marked by conflict between white absentee owners and local managers and merchants and African slave laborers.  After independence, there was conflict between plantation and industrial economic interest.  In the 1920s, rural, landless unemployed Jamaicans moved into Kingston area in search of work.  In 1944, the new constitution was made up for them and Jamaicans gained universal suffrage.  Gained independence on August 6, 1962.

 Island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba  Capital : Kingston  Population: 2.7 million and is growing at 0.71% annually.  Ethnicity: 90.9% black, 1.3% East Indian, 0.2% White, 7.3% Mixed  Religion: Protestant 61.3%  Language: English (official), Creole.

 Multiethnic –serves as a symbol of defiance of European cultural authority.  Cultural prejudices between whites.  Never experienced conflict with blacks, Indians, or Chinese.

 Food is generally spicy  National dish: saltfish (salted, dried cod)  Ackee (a rich red fruit)  Fish is eaten two or more times a week.  Jerk- spicy barbequed pork or chicken, bland, hard bread, or yams  Beer and white rum are popular

 Religion is FUNDAMENTAL IN EVERYDAY LIFE  Religious traditions – minimal separation between sacred and the secular, ritual dancing, drumming.  Official National Church – Anglican Church.  Religion plays a very important role in society.  Religious education is commonly included in school curriculums.  Rastafarian movement originated in Jamaica

 United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the Caribbean Economic Community.  Imports: consumer goods, construction hardware, electrical and telecommunication equipment, food, fuel, machinery, and transportation equipment.  Exports: alumina, apparel, sugar, bananas, coffee, citrus, rum, and labor.

 Known to be classified as :  “Uncivilized”  “Ignorant”  “Lazy”  “untrustworthy”  African derived culture have been ranked at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

 Jamaica is a member of the British Commonwealth.  Bicameral parliamentary legislative system.  Executive branch – British monarch, the governor general, the prime minister, and deputy prime minister and the cabinet.  Legislative branch– Senate and 60 members elected to the House of Representatives.  Judicial branch– Supreme Court and several lawyers of lower courts.  Social Problems  Military Activity

 Men are predominant in leadership positions. Appropriate place is outside of the home.  Women work primarily in paid and unpaid household labor. Women receive less remuneration than men.

 Outgoing, warm, hospitable  Reserved with strangers  Common phrases – “Soon come”, “Whaapun?” “Later”, “Tomorrow then”, “Next time”, and “God Bless”.  Women and children well dressed especially in church  Uniforms in school  Men wear casual clothing mostly  Bright colors in fashion (GREEN, RED, &GOLD)  Rastafarians do not cut their hair, long dread- locks.

 Handshake with direct eye contact and a warm smile.  Appointments necessary 2 weeks in advance  Confirm meeting  They expect punctuality even though they are not always punctual.  After a friendship is established a hug or kiss on the cheek is appropriate, starting with the right side.  Men pat each others shoulder or arm during greeting.  Address the parents as Mr., Mrs., or Miss.  Never use someone's first name

 Very animated when speaking  Gestures to help make a point.  Touching fists  Touching a persons arm or shoulder  To get a taxi – keep your hand down and waves  Very important to recognize & greet others and to be recognized in return.  To get someone's attention – clap hands or tap on a grill or gate of a home.

 Good table manners are important and considered social refinement  Do not sit down until you are invited to and told where to sit.  Finish all your food.  Child never back talks  Restaurant bills usually always a service charge, if not tips are necessary.  Roadside stands have pineapples, melons, water coconuts sold as quick snacks because eating while walking is inappropriate.  Women shouldn’t drink from a bottle  Normal to have many relationships

 Day of Independence – First Monday in August.  Holidays – Christmas, Boxing Day, New Years Day, National Heroes Day (the 3 rd Monday in October), Ash Wednesday, Easter (Fri-Mon), Boxing Day(Dec. 26).  Maroons – celebrate January 6 as their independence day.  Annual festival commemorates  Bob Marley’s birthday  (February 6).

 Children are demanded responsibilities by the age of five or six years old.  Family comes first, even though education is important  Education is the route out of poverty  Traditional settings – the child is “pushed” to attend school.  Higher education is considered essential to success.  Two universities: University of West Indies & University of Technology.

 Gain confidence of the students  Listen to your pupils  Help them with the language as it will be difficult interacting because of accents  Affirm/Praise efforts from your students  Treat students as a part of a team  Show students that they are respected and valued even though they are form a different culture.  Play building  Inclusive models  Teaching culturally different, human relation approach,& single-group studies.

 (2012). Jamaica facts. Retrieved from  (2012). Jamaica. Retreieved from  Jackson, F. R., & Kerr-Norflett, L. (1997). Improving literacy skills through jamaican-style play building. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 41(2), countid= countid=28076  CultureGrams (2007). Culturalgrams 2007 world edition cultural reports for the Americas. (Vol. I). Provo, Utah : Proquest.