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
Here is a video that was sent to me, and I thought it only fitting to post it here. Also went to the DutchPot restaurant took some pictures of some memoirs they had on display; these are below.
If you have any memoirs that were not reflected here don't hesitate to post a link below.
Here is another tribute to Jamaica land we love.
Many are the tributes to Jamaica. Big up land we love.
Contrary to what many may think, Rastafarianism is not the official religion of the Island. It may have been the religion that made the Island famous, i.e. because this was the religion of the late Bob Marley as he traveled the world; however, the is not the religion of Jamaica.
Bob may very well be responsible for reggae music becoming the island's iconic sound.
Nevertheless, the island is actually pre-dominantly Christian. There is a multiplicity of denominations but all are generally Christian.
Here are there you might find a Muslim or two, and in recent times other religions have been infiltrating the Jamaican culture.
Since Jamaica also has a rich Chinese heritage, it would be amiss of me not to mention that there are a number of Buddhists on the island.
Do you agree with my evaluation of religion on the island? If not, leave a comment below.
Jamaica is truly an interesting place. Was doing a project recently and during the discussion it came up that there should be a website listing landmarks. I'm going to have to google this one. I have an idea about a few, but I don't know them all, if you could help me out here I would be grateful.
List them with their parishes, if known.
I came across this one, and thought I simply had to show it. It is a really old bridge that spans between two parishes. If you know the answer leave it in the comments section below.
Usually on the way from town to country, this bridge represented that you were close to your destination.
Playing cards was one of my favorite pass times during the summer as a child. It was right up there with swinging from the trees and shooting birds and lizards with my slingshot. These may not be exclusively Jamaican, but I think most Jamaicans would agree that these games were well-known children's games.
You may think these games are common, but for the generation coming up these games are foreign, and if we aren't careful they will soon be forgotten,
Although the following games require a standard 52 deck card pack, not all the cards may be needed/used for each game. I have included the rules for some of them.
If I have missed any games please feel free to jot them down here, or if you know any tricks and twists to existing games, please share.
Each player is given 3 cards, then the dealer places one card face up. (players may look at their cards)The order of the games in voted on, whether clockwise or anticlockwise and each player takes turns in that fashion.
Each turn: If a person has a card in their hand matching the one that is face-up they would drop that card on top of the face-up card and then chose another from the other two in their hand and drop one.
This would be repeated until all cards are used up.
Each Turn: If there are no matching cards in the player's hand they would pick one from the deck, and drop it face up. The player has first dibs on the card played. If not wanted play moves to the next player until the card is desired i.e. a player has a matching card or all have refused the card. If no one has a matching card then the next player in line picks a card from the deck.
Who wins: The person who gets rid of all their cards first wins.
Game -2
Tief'n Cassie
Rules
All players are given 4 cards. The dealer then deals 4 cards face up. (players may look at their cards) The objective of the game is to get as many pairs as possible.
Each player takes a turn taking up cards from the ones face up with the ones in their hand. Each player can only play one card at a time to take up a pair.
Each time a pair is collected it goes to the top of the pile that the player has. The pairs must be turn face up on the pile. If player A has a matching card to the pair that was picked up by player B, player A has the right to steal all the pairs that player B has collected. (thus the name).
If a third player C has a matching card then the entire stack can be stolen from player A.i.e what player A took from player B, and then all the pairs that player A has collected.
who wins: Player with the most pairs when all 52 cards have been used wins
Game-3
Strip me.
Rules
Players are evenly distributed cards, usually two players for this game. Only face cards (J,Q,K) and Aces have power.
Aces= 4 cards
K= 3 cards
Q=2cards
J=1 card
(players may not look at their cards)The players take a turn in placing a card face up until a power card is played.
On the next turn, the player pays up the power card. Unless another power card is played during payment. The previous payment is canceled and it now becomes the other player's turn to pay.
If no other power card is played, then the person who drops the last power card picks up all the other cards.
Who wins: The person retaining all the cards wins the game.
Game-4
1-D.O.N.K.E.Y.
Rules
Usually played with 4 people, may be played with more. (players may look at their cards) All the face cards and Aces (or other cards if more than 4 players) are removed from the pack. These become the playing cards. The whole deck is not needed for this game.
Each player is given 4 cards and the dealer starts by passing one card to the left/right.
The objective of the game is to get 4 of a kind and then drop your card as fast as the dealer or person passing the first card gets their card back.
The last person to drop gets a letter from the word "donkey"
Who wins: The person with the least amount of letters wins, and the person with all the letters in donkey loses. The other players compete for the second -third-etc places, dependent on how many players there are.
To enhance this game, I have seen where the loser gives a piggyback ride to all the players. Hence the name Donkey.
Game-5
2-D.O.N.K.E.Y.
Rules
Usually played with 2 players, may be more though. (players may look at their cards) A card is taken and hidden from the deck. Then all the cards are dealt to the players. Each player removes the pairs from their hand, and then take a turn to pull cards from other players hands. If a pair is achieved that pair is removed from their hand. If not the card is retained.
Who wins: The player stuck with the none matching card, get a letter out of the word "donkey." The player with the least amount of letters wins, and the player with all the letters in donkey loses. The other players compete for the second -third-etc places, dependent on how may players there are.
Game-6
Go Fish
Rules
Players
Game-7
Gin
Rules
Players
Game-8
Rommey
Rules
Players
Game-9
Tonk
Rules
Players
Game-10
10) I declare war
Rules
Players
Game-11
That is B.S.or just plain BS
Players 2- 4
Rules
standard 52 card deck.
Usually all the cards are dealt out. Players are allowed to look at their cards. Players take turns playing calling out their cards as they place them face down. If some suspects that the cards placed on the deck are not what the player says they are. They shout (B.S.!!) if the person was telling the truth all the cards have to be taken up by the one yelling BS!! however if the cards were not what they player said they were, then the offending player needs to take up all the cards on the deck.
The objective
Who ever empties their hand of all cards first wins.
In addition to the stories and the superstitions. We have some legitimate stories of people talking to people who have contact with the other side. These people are usually called obeah-man/woman,witch-doctor, voodoo man etc.
If you have any stories about such contacts, jot them down here.
There is bound to be a whole bunch of these. I know growing up as a child in the country this was what kept the night interesting. There was no tv, and hardly any radio, but there was always story time.
Some people will swear upon their lives that some of these stories are true, if you know any such stories, jot them down here.
Let me start with a story I heard as a child you be the judge.
So it was late one night and this was in the country where street lights seem like they are a mile apart. There is an old road called 'Valley', where it is said that a boy was playing in a tree and fell out and died. His spirit would haunt the street. At least so the story goes.
As a result no one would be on that street at night.
It so happened that my father was walking home alone one fateful night and had to pass under the infamous tree. Now my father claimed there was no such thing as ghost or duppy so he was walking boldly up the street.
With nothing but the stars and the moon as light, the closer he got to the tree, he started uncomfortable and his heart began to race. He consoled himself by telling himself there was no such thing, but that consolation seemed hardly to work the closer he got to the tree.
Not wanting to show any signs of fear, he did not walk any faster or slower as he approached the tree, but he could not control his breathing. His heart was just pounding out of his chest.
Finally he was under the tree, and fate would have it that something would fall out of the tree and hit him on his shoulder.
Whether it was a leaf, a piece of stick or the infamous duppy, my father never stayed long enough to find out. He said that the speed at which he peeled out from under that tree, he must have left boot marks on the ground.
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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:
Something green/ ex. green fruit = it means disappointment is coming your way.
Something yellow/ex. ripe root = this means success or something good is coming your way
Dirty water = This means disappointment
clear water = This means you will run into good fortune
marriage/yam = This means somebody you know will die or has already died
Someone that has already died = someone you know is going to die.
Fish/pumpkin = somebody is pregnant
fresh egg= you will run into good fortune
bad/stale egg= this means you will run into disappointment
cutting hair =trouble times are coming to an end
if you are naked = an embarrassing time is coming or sickness
If you see raw meat = someone close to you is going to die
Losing teeth or loose teeth = someone close to you is going to die
Large wave/animal chasing = something is troubling you, you are stressed
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?
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PERSON ONE: Knock Knock. PERSON TWO: Who's There. PERSON ONE: ----- PERSON TWO: ___Who
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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/
Not sure these nursery rhymes were indigenous to Jamaica, but I am sure they are slowly being rid from our memories. If you can remember some that I have not listed here, do me a favor and list it in the comments. Thanks
1) When beautiful school days are over
And grown men and women are we
We will think of them ever and say, Oh Lord
Bring back those beautiful school days back to me
2) Tinga Linga Ling
School Bell a ring
Knife and fork a fight
Fi dumpling (not sure which came first)
Years ago there was a movement to translate all English phrases into patios. This was an attempt to establish patios as an official language, however, I think attempts failed.
I know there was even a translation of sections of the bible into patios, but it didn't fly apparently and did not become too popular.
Nevertheless here are a few terms that Jamaicans use a lot and maybe can help with your understanding of their communication.
Do you know any Jamaicans that had a significant impact upon the world, that are now dead?
I know Louise Bennet (Miss Lou)and Bob Marley top this list for putting Jamaica on the map. Let us not let their memory disappear from the pages of history. Jot the names of those you know here and what was their contribution.
Marcus Garvey - famous speech A few words from the esteemed elder The Honorable Marcus Garvey. We have to understand our history and learn from it.
The Marcus Garvey Story
Although Marcus Garvey is respected as a national hero of Jamaica, no doubt he was an international influence.
Remembering Ms Lou.
Gone too soon
Some are our National Heroes
but for the other who did not quite make the list of hero or heroine, but were still significant.
Donald Sangster - The man on our hundred Dollar bill
I just heard that Alan Magnus has passed. He used to be a radio personality for decades on he infamous radio station RJR. I often went to school to his voice on the radio.
Another voice that grew along side his was that of Dorraine Samuels. These personalities will indeed be missed by older Jamaica.
If you have any ideas about little things that we do now, or things we used to do in the past becasue of our innovation or lack of funds, jot it down here.
Coconut brush
How to make your own Coconut brush
Coconut Brush in use
Who needs to go to the Gym after this work out. No wonder we Jamaican folks used to be so fit. Regular household chores kept us active and healthy.
If you know the link to any Jamaican Radio Stations, (underground or not) please leave the link and the name of the station here.
Radio station take off in Jamaica. I don't think anybody in Jamaica know the real amount of radio stations that exist.
The thing is now..if you find one you like, you just listen to it. Who cares what the name is.
I have asked all the people with who I came in contact in Jamaica, "how many radio stations you have now?"and they all have said the same thing. Nuff.
Meaning: "who cares?" or, "I don't know," or "too many to count." I tend to want to stick with the the last answer based on the amount of Jamaican TV channels I found.
Jamaican politician have been said to be many things, however the most professional of them all I believe is P J Paterson. He could keep his private life separate from his public. Something most present politicians fail to be able to do.
If you know of any others who really act professional list them here.
Although the record book should contain these, what Jamaican laws do you consider the most influential; whether they have been recently enacted or repealed?
If you know the name and the lyrics of some Jamaican folk songs, please list them here. This is an important part of Jamaican culture we do not want to be lost.
Not sure if Harry Belafonte songs can be called folks songs. Give some feedback on this one.
I Know "Good Morning Mr Potter", had a friend sing it for me, hope you enjoy.
Sly Mongoose is another: look on YouTube for lyrics and melody.
