Music & Arts

Rich in culture and arts, Jamaica is known worldwide for Reggae, which was made famous by the legendary Bob Marley. Jamaica has many genres of music

• Reggae
• Ska
• Mento
• Rocksteady
• Dub
• Dancehall
• Ragga

On a global level, Jamaica’s music has influenced such genres as Hip-Hop and London’s Jungle. Jamaica has also produced world-renowned artists, such as Cecil Baugh and Edna Manley. Both of who have done major paintings and/or sculptures.

Theater, Folklore & Poetry

Jamaican theater was influenced greatly by being ruled by the English. It was introduced in Jamaica around 1682. From there, it grew over the years. But it wasn’t until 1898 that theater took the Jamaican image with the introduction of Christmas Pantomimes. The Little Theater Movement popularized pantomimes in the 1940s. Jamaica today has about seven theaters, two of which are The Little Theater and The Ward Theater.

When we speak of Folklore, predominately we think of Miss Lou (The Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley O.M. O.J. M.B.E. Dip R.A.D.A., D. Litt (Hon)). She was a Poet, Folklorist, activist, a cultural icon and a whole lot more. Miss Lou showed the world what Jamaica is about, using Jamaica’s local dialect patois (patwa) as an instrument of education. There are many more poets and folklorists but none that can compare to Miss Lou.

History

Jamaican history takes on four parts, Pre Spanish, Spanish, English, and Independence.

Pre Spanish

This era takes a look at what the island was like before Spanish ruling. Tainos who were called Arawaks inhabited Jamaica. Later it was realized that Tainos were not Arawaks at all. Tainos were organized politically, economically and socially.

Spanish

The spanish, lead by Christopher Columbus, arrived on the island 1494 and destroyed the Tainos. The first Spanish settlement was called Sevilla la Nueva built 1510. Abandoned in 1524 a new town, Villa de la Vega, was constructed.

English

1655 marked the end of the Spanish ruling, with the assistance of the English Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables. The island grew in wealth and recognition throughout the seventeenth century. Port Royal was known to be the richest and wickedest city in the world as a result of pirates. The city suffered great devastation in 1692 when it was hit by a large earthquake. Slaves were imported to island, against their will, to harvest sugar cane. Jamaica was the largest producer and exporter of sugar cane throughout the eighth century. The abolishment of slavery saw the growth of peasant farmers and a rise in construction. The capital was changed from Spanish Town to Kingston in 1872.

Independence

In 1938 the PNP (people national party) was formed by Norman Manley. Five years later Alexander Bustamante, Manley’s cousin and future first prime minister, formed the JLP (Jamaica labor party). These two parties have been the most influential political organizations to date. Jamaica gained their independence in 1962.

Jamaica's National Heroes