This blog was created to preserve a little part of Jamaica's culture. Too many jokes and interesting things about the Island get forgotten just because there wasn't an archive of them. This blog allows me to archive all these jokes and interesting things so that they will never be forgotten. I will write about what I know and believe, but I need all the help I can get. If you don't leave a donation please like, follow or support my advertisers. Thanks
I almost forgot about this one. I have a grater in my house and was asked to grater some coconuts last night. Cut my fingers a bit,but it help me realize that this is a tradition that is slowly disappearing, especially as more and more technology is introduced.
Do you have any stories about "gratering" your finger when doing the coconuts? Please share. If it was interesting to you, it will be interesting to someone else. Join the conversation.
When I was a child for a long time there was only one television station. Radio was still a significant source of entertainment, and maybe 50% of people had a black and white television in their homes. Television used to sign on at 6 pm and then off at 12 am with the national anthem.
I was listening to a conversation recently and one Jamaican said to the other, "Do you eat patty and coco bread, together?
In my mind, I was like, "who doesn't?"
But the response that came after the question made my draw drop.
"the patty is not nice WITH the coco bread!"
What!!!!!!! Is this person for real?
I hate to say this, but you are not Jamaican if you don't eat patty and Coco-bread together. If it is that you have gone to a foreign country and you claim you are Jamaican and don't eat this stuff together, your Jamaican badge has officially been revoked.
You belong to that country now. You are no longer Jamaican.
This is Jamaica's fourth Miss World title that Jamaica has won. Is it me or do the winners look eerily similar?
Toni-Ann Singh
Lisa Hannah
Cindy Breakspeare:
This is probably the most interesting ms world to date. She got some drama associated with her. So Bob Marley is rising to fame and sees this woman, who at the time is recognized as the most beautiful woman in the world, and says to himself "I want her" This is most likely the rant of every man who has seen a beautiful woman on tv. For me it was Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher got lucky. Then there was Mariah Carey and Kick cameron gets lucky. Its just one of those things. In this case it was Cindy Breakspeare and Bob got lucky.
I realize that I have an audience in the Arab Emraites, who would have known that there are Jamaicans there as well.
As that country undergoes some major change no doubt Jamaicans are there helping them build, similar to the way we help the Panama Canal.
The question has to be asked though; "When we will stop helping others build, and actually build something for ourselves worth recognizing?"
We have built a reputaion for ourseles for sure. Presently anywhere the Jamaican is there is gang violence, but surely there is more to us than that as a people.
Where is the Jamaican that will blaze a trail like our fore fathers. like the great Margus Garvey who founded a black liberties movement.
Is there no one left with such great vision. Truly if such a leader were to rise to the front he/she would have a great following. This is one of the greatest shortages in the whole wide world.
Here are some words that I think are going to make it to the general population one day.
the words are not vulgar but definitely made up. As I hear more I will definitely add them. If you have or know of any let me have them in the comments below.
I found it most interesting that there is a place that has a similar name to Indibungy. It is a place in India that does bungee jumping. I thought this was very interesting.
There is the word Gazeebo, which sounds and almost spells like Gajeebo, but the meanings are totally different.
In the wake of recent war threats from President Trump (2020), there a cry from Jamaica that all families living in the states should come back home.
But this is not a practical suggestion.
What would happen if every Jamaican really decides to go back to Jamaica? Would the country be benefitted or destroyed?
If it were possible for every Jamaican to carry back their wealth acquired abroad to Jamaica, maybe the country would be benefitted, but how do you take up a business and its customers? How do you take up your reputation? How do you take up all the property you have acquired?
Yes, there is UPS and FedEx, but it would probably cost too much to have all property shipped. In addition, there are relationships and bonds that have been created, and there is no leaving those.
I guess the old statement is true, Make your bed well, because you're the same one that is going to lie in it.
These Jamaicans have chosen to make their beds in the U.S. so whatever comes with the U.S. they have to simply take it. (for better or worse)
Jamaicans the world over are sent back to Jamaica for crimes that they commit abroad. Sometimes the crimes are heinous murders, but sometimes the crime is just being in the country illegally.
There are many that are being sent back to the country, for the latter crime. Some thought they would have been able to make a life for themselves in these foreign countries, but their expectations were met with bitter disappointment.
To add insult to injury, there are some who were brought to the U.S. as youngsters, but because their parents never managed to straighten out themselves, these children grew up without documentation and some are sent back as adults, to Jamaica.
Now, these are total misfits. The country that they grew up in is not their home country, and the one for which they have their nationality is foreign to them.
I don't know which is worse, give sanctuary to all who get to the borders of the US or send back all to their country of origin who don't have documentation.
To not have rules and allow everyone that comes to the U.S. to stay, would crush the infrastructure. Just think on a smaller scale, if I were to allow all the people that I meet with a sob story, to come to live in my house because they consider me prosperous, would deplete all my resources.
However, sending everybody back is not the solution also either.
What do you think is the solution to this problem? Is there a solution?
According to the definition I found "repatriation" is a sending back of a person to their native country. Emphasis on send.
Growing up I always heard about a repatriation to Africa. I believe this is the case because it is trumpeted that this is where most black people in the Caribbean have originated. One of our heroes, Marcus Garvey is responsible in part for ths movement. However the present black people in Jamaica are so removed from Africa, that should they be sent back, there is no life there for them.
Africa still till this day is not listed as one of the first world countries, and all the news that emanate from the country seems to be bad. The Jamaicans that have acquired some means, have visited the country, but have they came right back to Jamaica. This because they are Jamaicans at heart, and not Africans, as we have been come to be branded.
In past months there was the threat of war and Iran bombing the US. There was a cry for all Jamaicans to return home to the island. However, here is the challenge. There are so many Jamaicans that have left the island, I believe there are more abroad than there are in the island. Also, most have started families, in the country of abode, do they leave those families and go back to Jamaica empty?
I think not. If for a moment a significant amount of Jamacasns were to return, and this is on top of all those that have been deported, the island's infrastrature would be crushed. We need to stop.
We have come to accept what is written in the history books as history, but history is more like a story told by the victors. I bet if you ask the victims you get a different story.
Despite Columbus' expedition failed expedition to find India by sailing west, the people with whom he came in contact, till this day are still called Indians.
If only all these people were hostile and killed the few European settlers emigrating on boats, the history books would read differently today.
Jamaica would be the land of the indigenous people.
What interesting things do you know about Jamaica's history which contradicts what is written in the formal history books?
Here is a novel idea. I do not know of any Jamaican-owned Car washes, i.e. apart from the mobile vehicles that go around and do car washes. Do you know any? List them below if you do.
You can also send me a picture of your business and I will even highlight it here. If that is asking too much, you can also upload your image to google and send me the URL for the image.
How can I forget the mother country? The one from which we gained our independence. Just typing the name I picture Queen Elizabeth and Charles, and I can almost hear their British accent echoing in my ear.
I know that Jamaicans are very much present there. I remember as a child there was a program that allows Brits to send greeting to their family back home.
I contacted my friend in Canada and the feedback was not good.
Is the Jamaican population creating havoc there in Great Britain as well; or is there a good report?
Apart from the curse words there are a few words that I beleive is totally Jamaican
Here are a few, le tme know if you think I should add a few more.
Kata: the piece of material places on your head to balance a weight.
I overheard two old women speaking recently and they wer etalking about taking a path. The other was criticising the time the other took to bathe. Her response was
I don't pala pala, I bathe properly. The meaning can be derived from what was said, but i will list it any way.
Pala pala: adjective used to describe something improperly, or lackadaisically
I know there are Jamaicans in China, given the rich Chinese presence and heritage in Jamaica. I wonder how are they faring with the Corona Virus outbreak.
I woke up today to see that Jamaica has reported it's first eight case of Covid-19. As someone who has been living in China during the epidemic, I know Jamaica cannot implement all of the same precautions as China to contain it. Not because of our government, but because of differences in residential structures and technology. But here is what you can do as an individual, in addition to washing your hands:
1. When you get home, leave your shoes at a designated spot. Don't walk around inside your house with shoes you wore to go out.
2. Change your clothes when you get home, especially if you took the bus/maxi/taxi.
3. Wipe down groceries/shopping bags with disinfectant wet wipes or Lysol. Wash fruits and vegetables properly before eating them, especially things like lettuce which we eat raw.
4. Don't use AC often since it circulates the air. Same for AC in cars and especially taxis! Here in China, we are encouraged to ventilate offices and homes every day. Keep windows open, let fresh air come in.
5. Strengthen immunity, get Vitamin B and C supplements. Eat more fruits and veggies.
6. Please take extra precautions if you have to go to the airport to meet relatives/friends who are flying into the country! Airport bathrooms - not a good idea!
7. Sanitize hands/wash them after handling money, like when you go to the market and exchange a lot of bills and when you get back change from taxi drivers.
8. Clean your car! Wipe down the seats, spray a little Lysol. Even if you don't give anybody a drop, don't you go to work and sit in the office? Don't you go to the grocery and lean up against the cashier lane? Plus, sometimes the groceries go in the backseat. Contamination can happen like this.
Finally, if you catch Covid-19, don't think of it as the end of the world. Take your pharmacy meds and bush medicine, quarantine yourself, and chill. Make a joke about it. Laughing about the situation is better than being depressed about it. You is ah Jamaican! Jamaicans are strong people! Nuff love
One of my favorites advertisements growing up was the dragon commercial. I'm not a 100 percent sure that this beer is Jamaican, but it was/is well known.
The beers that I know of in Jamaica are:
Red Stripe -Most definitely Jamaican
Heineken - not sure if this is Jamaican but this was one of the favorite light beers back in the day.
Corona - hands-down favorite beer of all. It was the first sweet beer that I knew
I'm sure the market has been invaded by many more beers by now. What are the others and what are your favorites? Please share
Although this is changing, Jamaica used to be run by the establishment of Garrisons. Each was associated with a politician, that would instruct an area don, who was affiliated with crimeLords.
I was in two minds about discussing this topic, because I was fearful that the site would become x-rated. Especially if I decided to post pictures of videos. I have decided against the pictures and videos but decided to talk about the practices I know about.
After all, this site is named "all things Jamaican." If I am going to be true to the title there can be no topic that is taboo.
As you can imagine this is a very captivating topic on the island. The newspapers publish it constantly, to gain readership. As a matter of fact, I think there was even one newspaper, that was publishing naked girls.
In the more established papers there was a section, probably still is, called "help me pastor" and "help me doctor" where people speak openly about their sexual habits in order to find out if there was something wrong. There was even a centerfold in the star newspaper when I was a child, of a woman showing her breasts. I can only imagine what this is today.
The songs are laced with implicit and explicit lyrics about sex, so on a blog like this why not talk about it?
The first item up for discussion is a drug that has the side effect of no- ejaculation for men. Commonly known as "Boom"
Ride all day and even all night without the urge to cum. Does this still exist? If so share your story.
The others are probably more well-known know such as Chiney Brush and Stone that have the same effect. However, there is no burning sensation with boom.
I'm not sure if this is the case anywhere else in the world, but in Jamaica, there are gas attendants, who serve your gas for you.
Not so in the US, it's every man for himself, except that you are disabled of course.
Do you know of any other country that has mandatory gas attendants to pump your gas?
Jamaicans just don't know how good they have it.
For the most part, I think that the gas stations that are found in Jamaica are found elsewhere in the world. Are there any names that are uniquely Jamaican?
When I was a child there was a program called "Hill and Gully Ride" which showcased a man building his own helicopter and car. Did this ever take off in Jamaica, where we are producing our own stuff, or are we still dependent on foreign?
I'm looking for pictures mostly of makeshift windows and doors, but do you have any pictures of any professional looking windows and doors that were not imported but made in Jamaica?
This is something very sought after, especially for Jamaicans overseas; but this does not come cheap. So most are stuck with the decision of choosing the cheap furniture because that is all they can afford.
The last earthquake I can remember hitting Jamaica was in the 1990's when I was still in high school. Just this year (Jan 2020) an earthquake again rocked the island. Here are a few videos of the damage sustained. If you have any other pictures of damage, please share so I can post.
The more things change it is the more they stay the same. I made a trip to the island recently and was amazed that there are still vendors selling from hand carts.
This was the case some 30 odd years ago and it is still the same today.
Do you know of any other traditions that have survived this long? Please share
The infamous sky juice vendor is still around. In this the year of 2020 despite the many mordernizations and technological advances, sky juice is stilled sold from a cart for some.
I know there are Jamaicans all over the world. If you have an interesting picture of a Jamaican in Russia, I would like to see it. Send the picture to ajagssolutions@gmail.com and I will upload it here, or provide the link below.
I have searched youtube, and there are no videos. Please share.
Is it because Russia is hated by the world why I do not have any clicks from Russia yet?
Russia is slightly bigger than America, so no doubt it is divided into provinces and cities in the very same way that all countries are divided. Yet I have not received one click from Russia. Where are the yardies in Russia?
I know you are there.
What about the Russians that love Jamaicans, where are your pictures and videos?
Now, this is one that needs a whole lot of support. There were and I know there are still some real good advertisements on tv. Please take the time to list them here. I will do my best to source what I can from youtube.
There was the dragon commercial I used to see as a child that till this day has stuck with me. If you know where this commercial is hosted you could post the link below.
It went a liile somerhing like this...
speaker one: "ah who dat ah come tru deh suh?!
speaker 2: Nuh Miss Cathy big dawta
speaker one: to who
speaker 2: Nuh Mass Clayton she bring tings fah
speaker one: But ah nuh lunch time yet, an she nah carry nuh shet pan
speaker 2: Massa, wah she bring nuh come in a shet pan. She bring the appetizer
speaker one: di wah
speaker 2 Appetizer. And yuh si when Clayton done dat, look how him ago chop banana quick and brisk till him lunch come
speaker one: Den ah who bring dat?
speaker 2: Nuh Miss Hilda. Now dat come in a shet pan, and afta lunch she gi him the dessert
speaker one: Wah dat?
speaker 2: Same ting Miss Cathy big dawta bring fi him
speaker one; Seh wah...inna dis yah sun hat, dat deh man deh muss a drink dragon
speaker 2: Den nuh dat dem did bring fi him...what else you did think
This to me was a classic one. If only I could get the video it would be appreciated.
Maybe you can't find the video for youe ad as a child but you remember the lyrics like I did, you can post it her as well.
When you are not exposed to a thing you think really small. I was surprised to know that a lot of the Caribbean islands share culture with Jamaica. I visited a few of these islands recently, and I was surprised that not only does the dialect sound very similar, but they share the same beliefs as well.
They play the same games, cherish the same things. I can see it possible that the slave ship that carried the black people from Africa did not specialize in which slaves were dropped off where. It seems to me that the Caribbean is just one big melting pot of black culture.
Do you share this beleif, or do you think that Jamaica is different from the rest?
What are some things that you know for sure that only Jamaicans do; and how are you so sure that this thing is uniquely Jamaican?
There was a song in the '80s sung by "Fab 5" about the Jamaican woman. i can't help but post the video here. I will also jot down interesting things that I see or hear about Jamaican women.
I had a video for this one, but then I lost it. I did not want to forget to post the comment so I created this post. I am in two minds about creating a story for this post, or waiting until the video resurfaces.
In the meantime, if you have any interesting stories about goats, I would like to know them, jot them here or forward to my e-mail ajagssolutions@gmail.com.
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I was going to make up a story of the history of curry goat in Jamaica, but then I decided to do one last search for the video I was going to post. Nothing surfaced vaguely resembling the video, but I did find this video/podcast on YouTube and thought it was interesting. What are your thoughts?
AS you may or may not have heard Jamaican experienced an earthquake recently (Jan 2020). This was also the same day that it was confirmed that someone had the corona flu and the University Hospital was momentarily shut down.
This video surfaced as being the proper protocol during an Earthquake and I just thought it would be good to post it here. It was on the brink of humor, till this day, I don't know if I must take this video seriously. You decide.
If I am in receipt of any more I will be sure to post them here there, for your perusal.
