Overview of Christmas Jamaica

Jamaican Christmas
by Xavier Murphy, edited by Marcia Davidson
Christmas in Jamaica, even though
not much different from around the
world, has it own flavor based on the
many cultures that make up the island.
The Christmas carols we sing in
Jamaica are similar to most Christian
nations that celebrate Christmas.






Songs like Silent Night, O' Come All Ye Faithful, etc.
Some of these songs are sung in the traditional
version as in North America and Europe but being
that Jamaica is the island where reggae music
originates, some of the songs are re-recorded in
reggae rhythm style.
Because of their popularity, you may hear many of
the reggae versions of popular carols playing on
the radio and at Christmas parties in December.
One of the most telling signs of Christmas in
Jamaica is the food.
Mixed fruits, which are marinated in wine for months,
are now used to bake the ever-popular
Christmas Fruit cake.
The Christmas Drink of Jamaica is the delicious
Sorrel (made from sorrel sepal - a meadow plant,
cinnamons, cloves, sugar, orange peel and
a little white rum) can be found everywhere.
This is normally served over ice.
The Jamaican Christmas dinner is a feast of all
feasts with mouth-watering foods such as, rice and
gungo peas, roast chicken or duck, oxtails and
curried goat, ham, roast beef or pork.
The Johnkano celebrations, a parade/festival of
masked, dancing musicians, which was brought to
Jamaica by the Africa slaves, used to be prevalent
across Jamaica but over the years has now mainly
been confined to the rural areas of Jamaica.
Although we are an island that has never seen snow
or have houses that boast chimneys, Santa Clause
and his gifts are very much a part of our traditions
as it is in many of the nations around the world.
In some rural areas on the island, Santa would ride
a cart and a donkey.
Yes, Christmas in Jamaica has a different flavor that is
influenced by the many cultures that make up the island.
Let no one deter you from taking Christmas to the max.
Shop till you drop, feed as many people as possible,
give and then give again.
A life well-lived is chock-full of good memories, and no
memory is greater than a great Christmas.

Christmas is everywhere this time
of the year!!!