Jamaica Culture in Kingston
Jamaica culture is alive and well in Kingston where besides the musical festival and carnival, there are a host of other festivals each year. The encompass celebration of independence and Christmas; the National Festival of the Arts is held during the summer and ends on Jamaican Independence Day, August 6. Apart from sales of arts and crafts, local competitions showcase the work of original pieces in dance, song, drama, speech, painting, sculpture, crafts, culinary arts, and photography, to name a few. The wide variety of artistic media makes this festival a sure hit.
Jamaica Culture
Jamaica culture also includes the biggest Jerk festival in the Caribbean and perhaps the world. This is the Boston Jerk Festival held in Portland, just one hour outside of
Kingston. It showcases the best culinary artists under a Jerk theme. Jerk is a method of food preparation, similar to barbeque, in that it is done on a grill, however, what makes it different from barbeque is that seasonings that is used to prepare the food product. Competitors take their seasoned product to the event ground and prepare it there, so everything is jerked; chicken, pork, lamb, mutton, fish, shrimp, lobster and lots more.
This event is not only mouth watering to spectators; it is fun for local families as well as tourists, whether in pairs or with their families, who are looking for some authentic Caribbean and Jamaica culture. This event is held in June, a great summer event to attend while on vacation and did I mention you get to eat everything for free. Also in the month of June is another food festival sponsored by the food network, however this time it is the best in barbeque and I would call this event delicious since, here again you get to sample everything barbequed as much as your heart desires and then some, all for a small entry of $20 US dollar
Competitors come from all over the world to showcase their culinary talent in barbeque pork, ribs, chicken, lamb, shrimp, beef, lobsters and they also make side dishes to go with barbeque. At the end of the day winners would include best sauce, pork chicken and such as well as an overall winner. This is great Jamaica culture event for the family as it is held at the renowned Hope Botanical Gardens, so you can make a picnic out of it but I must warn you, go early and with an empty stomach, be prepared to eat, eat, eat.
Jamaica is also home to two of the biggest fishing tournaments that comes around in September and October each year. The Falmouth Blue Marlin Tournament and Port Antonio International Fishing Tournament are popular, and the Port Antonio Tournament is one of the most impressive in the Caribbean region.
A part of Jamaica culture has its origin in Africa. Jonkanoo, (called Junkanoo on other Caribbean islands) is Jamaica's Christmas celebration. Party-goers dressed in masquerade parade through streets in celebration of their West African and slave heritage. This is a spectacular site to witness but if you are taking your children explain to them that there will be men dressed up and are on stilts (I wasn't warned but I got over it).
Whatever your interest, be it art,
Jamaica Music or a grand party atmosphere, one thing is for sure Jamaicans know how to turn events and Jamaica culture into something extravagant and a memorable occasion with a distinct feel of Jamaica that you won't want to miss whether you are here in the summer or Christmas.