Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Saphina Culture Project
Saphina Culture Project
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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,