Cultural Immersion Project Part 2
– Jamaican Culture

1. What events did you attend? What happened? [about 250 words]
The two activities I attended was a Jamaican community cookout so-to-speak called “Negril on the Green” on March 31st and attended a Jamaican church service with a friend on April 7th of 2013. The Jamaican festival “Negril on the Green” was this huge family cookout on five acres of land outdoors. The event occurs every Sunday afternoon from 12 noon until 2 am the next morning. We brought our own lawn chairs, blankets and coolers with cold beverages and some desserts as well. As we walked to find a spot to sit I could smell the heavenly scents of jerk chicken, jerk pork, and fried fish lingering through the air. The music from the bands was lively although I could not understand all of the lyrics but I clapped along away. While conversing with some Jamaican women, I was told how one woman’s friend was (given a licking), beat by her husband for putting (creamy), relaxer in the child’s hair. So, I inquired does this happen a lot in the Jamaican culture and they all responded, “Yes, if you are married to a Rastafarian.”
The second event I attended was a Jamaican church service at “Christ Way Baptist Church” located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. It was quite interesting the service was a blend of Caribbean and a traditional Southern Baptist style. The sermon was not hard to understand until the Pastors started using terminology commonly spoken among the culture when telling his stories. After the service they serve refreshments so that members can fellowship amongst each other. I must say I got a little scared not knowing if I would understand what they were saying through their thick Jamaican accents. Well, my fear was legitimate, an older gentleman came up to me and started talking and I was like a deer in headlights, until my friend recused me.
Word Count: 308
2. How did your experience of actual cultural events compare with the expectations you had developed from the readings and internet explorations you did in Part 1? [about 250 words]
My expectations of the cultural events were confirmed when it came to communicating with persons of heavy Jamaican accents. I had no clue what they were saying and I felt like such and outcast. At “Negril on the Green” I truly was the minority among the group of women I attended the event with. The women were very accommodating in explaining the Jamaican terminology as we were talking; for example “licking means beating”; “the creamy means relaxer”. In the article, Jamaican Talk, it gave a listing of words and the following I heard while at the festival: “nyam means eat”; “bickle means food”; “labrish means gossip”; it’s a good thing I first did some research before attending event because I heard all of these words. However, I did get over my anxiety and focused on what I could learn from the experience instead of the fact that I encountered no other African Americans at the event. Word Count: 156
3. How did participation in these immersion events impact you emotionally? In other words, what was it like to be a “minority” in this group? [about 250 words]
My participation in these immersion events impacted me extremely emotionally because it reminded me that I have no real culture to connect with. That even though I know I am of African decent, I have no clue of what tribe or area of Africa I am a descendent. Before this project, I knew nothing about the Jamaican culture but now I understand their pride and love for their country. I so admire their traditions, customs and even their unique style of communicating to each other. I feel really sad, I can’t share the same experiences with my sons and daughter only because I have nothing to teach them. It seems that outside of the African American experience here in the United States, we have no real connection to anything. If nothing else this project has inspired me to find all I can about my family and my roots so my children don’t have to grow up with a cultural connection. Word Count: 160

4. As you consider your own cultural background, why do you think you responded in these ways? [about 250 words]
Well, as I stated before, I have no real cultural connection to my Africa roots. I can’t go over to a certain village and know that my great, great, great, great, grandparents live in that particular village. There is no unique language, customs, to pass down to my kids. Although, the African American experience is rich and full of powerful people and events; there is till a void that only the truth of my heritage can fill. As cited in (Garzon, Lecture C) that African American people are looked at as more of a race, than a culture. The reason for this, as cited in Hayes (2010), is that during the years of the slave trade, Africans were forced to give up their African names and culture and were given European names. Until we as African Americans can connect with our roots there will always be a void. Word Count: 148

5. What are some key things you’ve learned about this culture through these immersion experiences? [about 250 words]

The key themes I have learned during this culture immersion project is that: (1) the Jamaican culture is a very laid back, easy going culture. They do not like to entertain much drama if necessary except if married to a Rastafarian and desiring to go against the natural ways. (2) Communicating with Jamaicans can be very intimidating and funny all at the same time. The language of the people is Patios and although it is not written it has a very distinct rhythmic and melodic quality (Jamaica). However, Jamaicans are very community oriented people and love to come together for a laid back good time. (3) Is that Jamaicans have a healthy distrust of those in authority and prefer to put their faith in those they know well, such as their extended family and close friends who are treated as if they were family (Jamaica). Finally, is that he island has the highest number of churches per capita in the world and more than 100 different Christian denominations. Most Jamaicans are Christians; the largest denominations are the Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Brethren and Roman Catholics (Jamaica).

Word Count: 186

References

About Jamaica: Jamaican Talk. Retrieved from: www.visitjamaica.com.

Garzon, F. (Lecture C) Blacks in the U.S. Liberty University Online.

Hayes, D.G. & Erford, B.T. (2010). Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach. Pearson Education, Inc.
Jamaica – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Retrieved from: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/jamaica.html