Jamaica offers a rich and diverse culture, that may seem surprising for such a small nation. But like most Caribbean islands, Jamaica offers something unique and special that can leave a significant mark on any trip to the island.

It may be questioned how such a small nation can have such a range of influences throughout its culture. Here we look towards Jamaica’s colorful past to highlight how Jamaica has become culturally what it is today. The original settlers of Jamaica still have a part to play in the culture. The Arawak’s inhabited many of the Caribbean islands but it seems their marks runs deepest in Jamaica. Never a nation to forget its true roots. Although no physical cultural aspects of the Arawak’s remain, the linguistically significance is still apparent. Many local words survived the European invasion and are still used today, such as ‘hammock’.

Perhaps the most recognizable association with Jamaica is that of the Rastafarian religion, which has had a significant influence on reggae music. The Rastafarian religion is recognized as been quite free spirited, though loosely based on the teachings of the Old Testament. They are often recognizable from their untamed dreadlocks.

Dance and music play a major role in Jamaican culture. Early dances included those performed at religious ceremonies or festivals. Moving to modern times, it is recognized that the Jamaican culture created the use of the maypole during celebrations. It is estimated that their is a total of thirty locally based dances, many still performed. The most recognized of these is probably the Jamaican creole dances, as the name suggests this is a mix of numerous influences, both religious and cultural.

Jamaica also has a superb history of sporting achievement, especially in the field of athletics. Jamaica also provides players for the West Indies cricket team. Soccer has also proved popular in the country.

The first Jamaican theater was built in the 17th century and although not instantly recognized for its playwrights, it has a fantastic history in the area. Pantomime remains an important part of the festive period and is enjoyed by many throughout the nation. In the arts also, Ian Fleming is established as writing the James Bond series of books on the Jamaican island. The house he wrote the books in is now a regular tourist destination, where the world’s greatest spy was created. Other significant writers have used the exotic island as a location or inspiration for their own works.