CULTURAL

GROUPS
WITHIN
JAMAICA
 Acknowledgement

Firstly, we would like to thank God for giving us the strength to complete this project.

Secondly, we would also like to thank Ms. Williams for giving us the opportunity to do

this project which has enlightened us about the different cultural groups in Jamaica.

Along with that, thanks to all members of the group who also participated in the

completion of this project

 Introduction

This project contains essential and important information on different cultural groups

found within Jamaica. This useful information will clearly identify the purpose and other

needed information to the readers as it aims to instill knowledge about the importance of

our culture to the readers. This project also consists of relevant information to help you

identify and appreciate the different cultures, their dressing and the food that they eat. Do

feel free to read and upgrade your knowledge on the different cultures in Jamaica.
 Table of Content

Introduction i

Acknowledgement ii

Rastafarian Culture

Islamic Culture

Chinese Culture

Christian Culture

Indian Culture

Bibliography
 Rastafarians

Rastafari is a young, Africa-centred religion which developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, following

the coronation of Haile Selassie I as King of Ethiopia in 1930. Rastafarians believe they are one

of the lost tribes of Israel who were sold into slavery and taken to Babylon (Jamaica) and that

they must return to Zion, which they hold to be Ethiopia.

Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie is God, and that he will return to Africa members of the black

community who are living in exile as the result of colonisation and the slave trade.

There is no formal, organized leadership in Rastafarianism, creating a wide variety of spiritual

and moral variation within the religion. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life, and

others see it more as a religion. Nevertheless, uniting the diversity within the movement is belief

in the divinity and/or messiah-ship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of

Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage.

There are three types of Rastafarians in Jamaica:

1) Members of the Bobo Shanti order wear long robes and tightly wrapped turbans. They

function like an independent nation within Jamaica with their own constitution. Their

lifestyle closely emulates those of the Old Testament Jewish Mosaic Law, which includes

the observation of the Sabbath from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, hygiene

laws, and special greetings among themselves.

2) Members of the Nyahbinghi sect focus mainly on Emperor Haile Selassie and they

proclaim that he is the incarnation of the Supreme deity. They push for their repatriation
 to Ethiopia, from where they believe all black people came. Ethiopia plays a major role in

this section.
3) The Twelve Tribes was founded in 1968 by Dr. Vernon 'Prophet Gad ' Carrington and is

the most liberal of the Rastafarian orders. Members are allowed to worship in a church of

their choosing or within the privacy of their house. They consider themselves the direct

descendants of the 12 Sons of David.

1)
How they Dress
 What they Eat

Coconut is a staple of the Rastafarian diet.

The Rastafarian culture and religion, originating in the Caribbean country of Jamaica, is based on

Ital, a word that indicates vitality, or a vital way of life. In striving to maintain an Ital lifestyle,

Rastafarians live in harmony with the creator, other people and the natural environment. These

tenets are a critical aspect of Rastafarian food, which nourishes the body with pure, wholesome

ingredients. Using traditional techniques and distinctive cooking styles, simple foods are

combined to create complex flavors, textures and aromas.

Rastafarian food contains no preservatives, chemicals, artificial colorings or flavorings.

Whenever possible, food is produced on local family farms and cooks avoid packaged food from

large supermarkets. The diet is primarily vegetarian, as Rastafarians eat no meat, chicken, pork,

shellfish or fish without scales.