Jamaican Superstitions

Although there has been much technological advancement over the years and the island has endured many cultural shifts.

It seems some superstitions just seem to transcend it all.

Here are a few which I can think of, if you can think of any other take the time to jot them here.

1. If your hand middle is scratching you, it means you are going to get some money
2. If your ears are big you will earn a fortune

This one is so notorious that there was an actual video made about it, check it out.

Jamaican dreams and their meanings

O.k. no blog about Jamaica would be complete without having a list of dreams and what they mean. So here goes. If you feel I have left any out, be my guess to include them.

There is also a list of superstitions listed on this blog, you can read them under the title  Jamaican superstitions.

So here goes the list that I know. I can bet there are many many more. Help me fill out the list.

If you dream and you see:

1. Something green/ ex. green fruit = it means disappointment is coming your way.
2. Something yellow/ex. ripe root = this means success or something good is coming your way
3. Dirty water = This means disappointment
4. clear water = This means you will run into good fortune
5. marriage/yam = This means somebody you know will die or has already died
6. Someone that has already died = someone you know is going to die.
7. Fish/pumpkin = somebody is pregnant
8. fresh egg= you will run into good fortune
9. bad/stale egg= this means you will run into disappointment 
10. cutting hair =trouble times are coming to an end
11. if you are naked = an embarrassing time is coming or sickness
12. If you see raw meat = someone close to you is going to die
13. Losing teeth or loose teeth = someone close to you is going to die
14. Large wave/animal chasing = something is troubling you, you are stressed
15. Fire= There is conflict in your life

Jamaican Knock Knock Jokes

What collection of Jokes would be complete without a set of  "knock-knock jokes?" Consequently, I have added this section. If you have heard a few good ones jot them here. While these jokes are sometimes good, they can be really corny at times. I will review and update this section frequently to ensure that the ones entered are good.

This was one I heard as a child and I never forgot it. read below and you will see why.

PERSON ONE: knock knock
PERSON TWO:Who's There?
PERSON ONE: Ash?
PERSON TWO: Ash-who?
PERSON ONE: Po thing God-bless you

note. God bless you is something that is usually said after a person sneezes.

PERSON ONE: I have a question to ask.
PERSON TWO: sure go ahead.
PERSON ONE: Will forget me in 5 weeks?
PERSON TWO: No!
PERSON ONE: Will forget me in 5 days?
PERSON TWO: No!
PERSON ONE: Will forget me in 5 hours?
PERSON TWO: No, I would never forget you
PERSON ONE: You sure!?
PERSON TWO: Of course I'm sure
PERSON ONE:  O.k. then knock, knock
PERSON TWO:Who's There?
PERSON ONE: You forgot me

___________________________________________________

PERSON ONE: Knock Knock.
PERSON TWO: Who's There.
PERSON ONE: Theodore!
PERSON TWO: Theodore Who?
PERSON ONE: The - o  door is stuck could you help me open it?
_____________________________________________________

PERSON ONE: Knock Knock.
PERSON TWO: Who's There.
PERSON ONE: -----
PERSON TWO: ___Who

PERSON ONE

Jamaican Artists #1

O.K. So where do we start with this one?

Do I start from my childhood, or do I start from as far back as I can remember? I think I will start with those as far back as I can remember.

The first notable artist that I can remember is Pluto Shervington. He was the one that sung the infamous Ram Goat Liver Song. Every Jamaican from the 70's surely knows that one. In those days the lyrics of the music that filled our air waves was mostly entertaining, but in some instances the music was funny and informative. I'm not sure what genre Pluto sang though, not sure I would classify his music as dance-hall or even reggae. It is not debatable though that he was among the foundation artists that set the path for other upcoming Jamaican Artists.

Here are some other notable mentions, not in any particular order.

Bob Marley

Artist Name	Name at Birth	Famous Song
Bob Marley
Mega Banton
Freddy Mcgregor
Shabba Ranks
Lt. Stichie
Shakka Demos and Pliers
Sanchez
Juddy Mowat
Bounty Killa
Beenie man
Vybz Kartel

  

More Jamaican Talent on Display

Here is a relay race that I know is worth listing on this blog.

Jamaican Comedians

#Ole Eedyatt subscribe and support

Are we really Jamaicans?

I found this video very interesting. Is this educated rubbish or is there some truth to it. What do you think?

Jamaican's Newspapers.

I know about the Gleaner, the Star and the Observer not to mention the very popular X-news. However has there been any other newspapers in Jamaica?

Jamaican's favorite sports.

When I was growing up the popular sport was cricket, and no matter who you were when the West Indies was playing, you would stop what you were doing just to go watch.

Consequently from an early age youngsters made several makeshift pitches and bats and ball to play this game.



The sport as far as I am concerned has become less popular. Even though I know there is an established cricketing team for Jamaica.




Track and field and soccer
In recent times the sport which seemed to have dominated the news about the Island is that of track and field. It is not a wonder since the fastest man on record originates from the island.



Forget about our music and our exotic tourist resorts for a moment. All the buzz is about this guy who continues to shock the track and field world with his speed.

I remember one commentator saying that Bolt ran faster than the posted speed limit outside the stadium. Consequently he was worthy of a ticket. This was all said in jest however there is no doubt it is a Jamaican who holds the fastest man alive.

Jamaican's favorite board games

Ludi

Ah yes the good old days. Men use to sit on the street corner and play Ludi for hours. It was not my favorite game, I could never win. It was a game based solely on chance and it seemed I never had good luck where this was concerned. If you had any interesting experiences with this game please share.

The rules
2-4 players. The game is played with two dices. Each person starts with for men, which cannot move until a six is thrown. Thereafter the player moves the numbers shown on the dice and must go around the board one time before entering a middle section called home. The person that is able to bring all 4 pieces home, wins.

Side rules
A player can kill an opponent's piece and send them back to the beginning where they have to play a six again to move if two player pieces lands on the same square. Some players are really good at killing the other player's pieces.

Draft



From an early age, schoolboys learn to play this game and compete.

Rules
2 player. Similar to American Checkers except pieces can play backward when taking an opponent's piece.

Chinese Checkers.


Referred only to as checkers, this game was not very popular but I still remember the guys on the corner playing this game.

Dominoes


Probably the most renowned of all board games played by Jamaicans.

There is constant talk of 6 love with this game.

Interesting places in Jamaica

Dormant Volcano

You can google the video on Youtube..


The whole island is filled with intrigue if you ask me. From the weird names given to places to old stories and folklore associated with the island.

I knew there was a dormant volcano in Jamaica, but did not have any information on it. Found the below listed blog and thought I would share with my readers.

I do not agree with the timelines given, but the scientific evidence presented in the blog is irrefutable.
Hope you find the blog as interesting a read as I did.

http://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2014/10/black-hlil-portland-jamaicathe-extinct.html

At least now we can formulate a reason why there are so many hot springs in the Parish of St. Thomas.

Negril Beach



No list of interesting places in Jamaica can be complete without the honorable mention  of Negril Beach in Westmoreland.

Not to be confused with the resorts which are more closer to Montego bay (St. James area.)

Speaking of which ...

Doctor's Cave Beach, Montego Bay

This is a must-see if you have a little spending money and want to have a great time.

Things to do in Jamaica
I found this website and thought it fitting to list this here.

tps://www.roadaffair.com/things-to-do-in-jamaica/

Jamaican phone Companies

I know the cell phone thing take off in Jamaica. I also know who the top contenders are, i.e. Digicel and Flow. However are there any other contenders?

cost of living in Jamaica - 2016

To be fair any price quote has to be followed by a date in order to obtain a frame of reference.

The below link is a good website to visit in order to get a bearing of the prices in Jamaica.

http://www.cac.gov.jm/portal/index.php

Once on the site click on the "Best Price" then click on "Outlet Price Comparison" click on any outlet on the left and any item on the right and the price will appear.

You should have an idea of the local exchange rate in order to know if you would buy same item if you were in your local/foreign country.

I was surprised to find that the cost of petrol was cheaper to buy in Jamaica than in the U.S.

Jamaica is a third world country and yet it is cheaper to buy gas which is imported there than to purchase petrol in the U.S. that produces its own.

In general the cost of living in Jamaica is cheaper than that in the U.S.

I was surprised to find out that rent for a two bedroom house could cost $JA40,000. which at today's (2016) conversion to US works out to a little less than $US400. Normally to rent a two bedroom in the city cost about $US1150. Which again would convert to about $JA135,000.

Given the costs of living abroad and the costs of living in Jamaica, I would opt for Jamaica, if only I could find a job that would pay me enough to live there comfortably.

All being said, "No weh no nice like yawd" 

Latest dance in Jamaica

I can barely keep up with this one.

As a result I need your help here. If you know some dances that swept Jamaica for a season list it here, if possible list the year too.

How many of them do you know how to do?

1)  Armstrong - 1989

2)  Bogle - 1990 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpl9xg6zVAg

3)  Butterfly -92

4)  No linga-2002 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWkdLxD-i7I

5)  Willie bouncce/Wakki dip - 2013 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r038-tDd8eI

6)   Breadfruit -Roast or Fry -2016 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGdtxQM8TuI

I know these dances may be old, that is why I need your help.  

The Jamaican people are very creative. Couple years ago an interview was conducted about a situation in St. Thomas (a parish in Jamaica) and something was said by the interviewee, "the bus can swim" and a music video was made out of this interview, and a subsequent dance made for the song. See the links below.

Jamaican's are creative geniuses.

Check out the video and the dance that accompany it.

Muisc video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hknVoAoyy-k&list=RDhknVoAoyy-k#t=105

Dance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO0y4DNkDW8

New Jamaican slang

What is the new slang on the road, and what does it mean?

O.K. I went to the Island recently and I was able to pick a few slangs.

Da one yah gawn! 
Elephant man uses it in his song  "run dem weh"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJcZlhtKBok

To be honest there are many slangs in this song.

Another one I heard was Sell Off!

The slangs mean the same thing. What is the meaning? They both mean this is cool or of high quality or rating.

Interesting videos from Jamaica

Have you seen any interesting videos about Jamaica or Jamaicans lately that you would care to share?

Interesting Jamaican pictures

Are there some pictures that you have taken in Jamaica that you wouldn't mind sharing with the rest of the world?

Jamaican yearly events

What are some of the events held in Jamaica yearly, that you would suggest that every Jamaican around the world come see.


January

February

March

April 

May

June

July

Reggae Sumfest  

August 

September

October 

November 

December

I just found this website, which highlights lots of places and events in Jamaica. Check it out.

Website https://www.visitjamaica.com/things-to-do/events/