Jamaica Unit Vocab

Hibiscus (Flor de Jamaica)

A flowering plant native to West Africa but grown widely in Jamaica. Part of it is dried up and used to make teas and juices especially during holidays.

dancehall

A genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970's. It focuses on using danceable instrumentals ("riddims") and generally uses Patois in its lyrics. One of its riddims inspired the creation of 2 Spanish-language genres: "Dembow" and "Reggaeton"

Jerk Spice

A mixture of spices used in Jamaican cooking. It originated with the Indigenous peoples in Jamaica and was shared with and was adapted by Black Jamaicans. It is mainly used on chicken or pork, and includes Allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, and other spices.

Rastafari

An Afro-centric monotheistic religion that emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s. They believe in 1 God, "Jah." Members of Rastafari are called Rastafarians and they view Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930-74 as important. There is no central authority in the religion so views can differ from Rastafari group to group.

Nanny of the Maroons

An enslaved woman in Jamaica in the 1700s that reclaimed her freedom and led wars against the British. The British were unable to capture her. They gave up and gave her and her followers 500 acres of land to live on as a free community of formerly enslaved Jamaicans. She is a National Hero of Jamaica.

Raphael Rowe

He is a Jamaican-British journalist and presenter. He was wrongfully convicted in 1990 for murder and a series of robbery alongside 2 other people. He spent 12 years wrongfully imprisoned until his sentence was appealed and he was released from prison.

Usain Bolt

He is a retired Jamaican sprinter, and widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. He has set world records and he is the only sprinter to win the 100m and 200m titles at 3 consecutive Olympics.

Marcus Garvey

He was a Jamaican political activist. As a young man he travelled and worked in several Latin American countries. He founded the UNIA in 1914 whose goal was to achieve Black nationalism through the celebration of African history and culture. He supported Pan-Africanism. He also was very controversial because he believed in segregation.

Alexander Bustamante

He was a Jamaican politician, labor leader, and independence activist. He became the country's 1st Prime Minister in 1962.

"The Windrush Generation"

Immigrants that arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries including Jamaica. They have had a profound impact on the UK.

Reggae

It is a music genre inspired by ska. It developed in 1960s Jamaica. It often includes lyrics about social issues and is usually slower and more laid-back in its musical arrangement.

Ska

It is a music genre that developed in late 1950s Jamaica. It usually has quick music with a walking bass line and accented rhythms on the off-beat.

Jamaican Patois (Patwa)

It is an English-based language which includes influences from West African, Taino, Irish, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Chinese, and German languages.

Spanish Town

It was the Spanish and British capital of Jamaica from 1534 until 1872. It is home to numerous memorials, the National Archives, and 1 of the oldest Anglican churches outside England (the others are in Virginia, Maryland, and Bermuda)

Bob Marley

Jamaican singer who popularized reggae and increased the popularity of Jamaican music around the world. His music often discussed social issues in Jamaican and global society and often made references to his Rastafarian religious beliefs.

Pete Wentz

Lead lyricist and bassist for the rock/emo/punk/pop band Fall Out Boy. His mother is Jamaican American.

Morant Bay Protests

Paul Bogle led a protest march on October 11, 1865 against poverty and injustice in Jamaica at the time. They also wanted to show the public's lack of confidence in the British colonial government. A violent confrontation developed. ~500 people were killed. Though Bogle was executed. The march was successful in promoting change in Jamaica.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

She is a Jamaican track-and-field sprinter competing in the 60m, 100m, and 200m She is widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters of all time. In 2008, she became the 1st Caribbean woman to win Gold in the 100m.

Grace Jones

She is a Jamaican-American model, singer, and actress. Her approach to fashion and art has had a major impact on contemporary fashion and art around the world.

Portia Simpson-Miller

She was Jamaica's Prime Minister from 2006-2007 and 2012-2016. She was Jamaica's 1st woman Prime Minister. and was considered by Time Magazine to be one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2012.

Taínos

The Indigenous people who inhabited Jamaica and many Caribbean islands and who were the 1st people Columbus encountered after making landfall in the Americas.

Kingston

The current capital and largest city of Jamaica. It is a near a natural harbor. It is the largest predominantly English-speaking city in the Caribbean.