THE JAMAICAN CULTURE

Capital (and largest city)		Kingston 17°59′N 76°48′W
Official language(s)		English
National language		Jamaican Patois
Ethnic groups		76.3% African descent, 15.1% Afro-European, 3.4% East Indian and Afro-East Indian, 3.2% Caucasian, 1.2% Chinese and 0.8% Other.
Demonym		Jamaican
Government		Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy
-	Monarch	Elizabeth II
-	Governor-General	Patrick Allen
-	Prime Minister	Bruce Golding
Independence
-	from the United Kingdom	6 August 1962
Area
-	Total	10,991 km2 (166th) 4,244 sq mi
-	Water (%)	1.5

The art, music and dance from Jamaica 

The Jamaicans take pride in their artistic style. Influenced by the island's unique culture as well as European, American, and African art forms, islanders have mastered a style all their own.

The Jamaicans are also known for their willingness to dance. Dances found on Jamaica fuse the styles of Europeans and Africans into a unique form. Some of the local dances are the "jonkonnu" a dance practiced by slaves at Christmas time. Reggae may be the most well-known style of music, but there are much more. The Jamaican folk music has come from many sources over the years. The most notable influence on many of the sounds found here is Africa, in celebrations of birth, death, and harvesting. Music has also historically been performed for work and entertainment. Work songs are an aspect of the tradition rooted in the culture of slavery, when songs were used to pass messages and gossip, though they also helped ease the work of the slaves. Songs of this type followed a traditional African call and response format. However, games are also sung, and children often gather in circles to sing and clap. Games are generally very physically demanding, so there are rarely instruments in these songs.

•  Religion:

Rastafari is the most prominent non-Christian religion on the island. It came into prominence as a grass-roots religion in the 1930s and was promoted as an alternative to white-oriented religions. Rastafarians worship the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie, or Ras Tafari. Rastafarians also believe in reincarnation and that males should not cut or comb their hair or beards. The Marijuana may also be used by Rastafarians as a sacrament and a medicinal aid. It is an evolving religion and culture, and not every member believes in all of these things. Its popularity, however, has spread to many other countries in the region and around the world.

 

• Language

The official language of Jamaica is English. The Jamaicans primarily speak an English-African Creole, language known as Jamaican Patois, which has become known widely through the spread of Reggae music. Jamaican Patois was formed from a base of mainly English words with elements of re-formed grammar, together with a little vocabulary from African languages and Native American words.

• Jamaica is bigger than San Andres. 

• The San Andres most popular music is Calipso and Reggae, and in Jamaica the Rega

• The days in Jamaica are as relaxed as San Andres.

•  The people of San Andres is more Religious than Jamaica.