Obviously, it’s pretty clear I’m a fan of the Jamaican lifestyle practices. I mean, who wouldn’t be. Check out the famous reggae music Bob Marley is famously known for, Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, the food and so many more unique offsprings of this culture. I can’t even start to list which makes me want to know more.
That’s exactly what this article will bring to life. The daily lifestyle practices and interesting household tips and tricks come directly from the natives.
DAILY HOME DUTIES
The cleanliness of a home is paid close attention to whether big or small. The women are the ones responsible for keeping the home in order, which they enjoy doing each day.
Dusting and cleaning are a daily routine for Jamaican women. This is how they manage to keep their homes clean each day. The home will be swept and dusted whether in the morning or in the evening.
THE FAMILY
In Jamaica, children are a part of the daily housekeeping routine. Children will have to rise early in the mornings to rake the fallen leaves. Those who live in rural areas may have to go to the spring to fetch water in the morning before school.
Jamaican enjoy the taste of natural spring water so bottled water is not purchased in cases, only if you’re out and thirsty a single bottle would be purchased.
In the evening the kids will do other odd household chores like doing the dishes before getting homework done and off to bed. Another interesting thing about the Jamaican family is…Kids participate in household duties.
GETTING THE DISHES DONE
No dishwasher around. No matter how wealthy a Jamaican is you will not find a dishwasher in the home. Plates are washed with hands. It is mostly the job of the children to get the dishes done. Dishes are washed every evening after dinner and ready for the next day.
DIFFERENT PRINCIPLES THAT WORK
This is quite out of the ordinary, In Jamaica, kids will go to bed on their own, but not before having supper, taking a shower, and praying.
In the morning they are up by 5 am to start another day’s routine without much help from the parent. Kids learn to prep their own school uniforms the night before for school the next day.
EATING HEALTHY
No fast food delivery service is available. Yep, you heard right. This means delicious home-cooked meals are prepared every day by the mother of the house.
It is very important for children to have a cooked meal ready and waiting for them when they get home. Fast-food chains are only located in the cities and are only eaten as a treat once a year or never.
PORRIDGE INSTEAD OF CEREALS
The word CEREAL is not a popular word in Jamaica. These are found in assorted brands and types in the supermarkets but are not frequently purchased. Instead, porridge is fed to the children and is considered to be “brain food”
Nothing beats a bowl of plantain porridge in the morning, the kids just love these. Other types of porridges are banana porridge, cornmeal porridge, and peanut porridge.
OTHER MEALS
“Ground provisions,” or so-called in Jamaica are foods grown in the ground or on trees. These are yams, rice, flour, bananas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, ackee, breadfruits, etc. These are prepared with different types of meats and turned into delicious meals.
Canned food and ready-made foods are a NO, NO in Jamaica. The islanders prefer to cook from scratch every day. Rarely a tin of canned fish will be used as a quick meal.
SODAS, these are pretty popular but are not stored at home. The most common beverages you can find in a refrigerator in Jamaica is limeade, blended juices, syrups, or purchased natural juices.
The Jamaicans strongly believe that the type of food you consume has a lot to do with how well you learn and how strong you are. Freshly prepared meals every day plays a role in their vigor.
SHOES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE HOMES
Shoe-wearing in the home is something most Jamaican detest. The floor of the homes is cleaned every day to maintain its glossiness. Wearing a shoe in the home will soil the floor.
If you ever visit the home of a Jamaican remember to ask if you should remove your shoes. This is a practice that prevents bacteria from entering the home.
SUNDAY TRADITION
Sundays in Jamaica are like a public holiday. Supermarkets are only open for a few hours. Clothes stores and all other stores are closed until Monday morning.
SUNDAY AT HOME
There are two main religions in Jamaica, Christianity, and Rastafarianism with Christianity being superior. The main day of worship is on a Sunday. Each household has one main tradition that is acknowledged for hundreds of years and that is…
THE CHURCH LIFESTYLE OF JAMAICANS
On a Sunday morning, everyone in the home will rise early. The home will be cleaned on Saturday, so Sunday morning is for cooking and preparing for church only.
Sunday dinner is always prepared before going to church. This meal is the biggest meal of the week usually comprised of rice and peas, fried chicken, fish or steak vegetable salads, and refreshing juices. In Jamaica steak is known as beef.
FESTIVITY AND HOLIDAYS IN JAMAICA
Christian holidays are observed by everyone with stores being closed and the sound of the church organ echoing throughout the district or the community. That’s what an area where people live is called. These holidays are Easter and Christmas.
EASTER BUNS
Jamaicans believe that in the lengthened season. That’s the 40 days Jesus spent in the Wilderness. During this time red meat is avoided and the moistest and spicy Easter buns are baked.
Easter buns and cheese are the main food on the menu for Easter. This replaces the red meat on the menu. These buns are tasty and packed with fruits. On Good Friday only Easter buns and cheese are eaten for the whole day. Some people will have only fish based on their lifestyle and belief for the season especially those who are avoiding the sweet.
JAMAICA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY
This is a festive day when parties are seen and can be heard everywhere. Sound systems will be placed in the streets, these are extra large speaker boxes. People would gather to dance and eat curried goat, jerk chicken or pork, and white rum. For more Jamaican meal ideas check pot this article.
At this time everyone has a new hairstyle and has on something that has the color of the flag. These parties will go on until late in the night and then back to work in the morning.
GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS
Families who chose to stay home will prepare tasty meals. Most times a goat will be butchered and cooked on this day. Friends and family would come from near and far to participate in this meal.
CHRISTMAS IN JAMAICA
“NO PROBLEM MON” This is the season every Jamaican life for. At this time of the year, the atmosphere in Jamaica is exactly as the saying goes “JAMAICA, NO PROBLEM MON”.
Celebrated also as a Christian holiday is one of the most festive seasons of the year. Everyone is busy thinking about Christmas dinner and the Christmas fruit cakes which are made of fruits, rums, and wine.
This cake is baked the week of Christmas and is preserved with raw rum and wine until Christmas day. Meats of all sorts are gathered to be prepared on Christmas morning. Then, friends, family, and neighbors will come together in the community to celebrate and give thanks.
You have taken a little pique into the lifestyle practices of Jamaicans and also learn a few of their household ideas. Their lifestyle is what makes them have such bright smiles and bursting personalities. There’s is so much more that could be written, but that’s for another vacation trip. See you soon!
