Jamaican Americans
Where Did They Come From: Jamaica was originally inhabited by a race of people called the Arawaks or Tainos. They had probably come from the country now known as Guyana.
Arawaks from South America had settled in Jamaica prior to Christopher Columbus' first arrival in 1494. During Spain's occupation of the island, starting in 1510, the Arawaks were exterminated by disease, slavery, and war. Spain brought the first African slaves to Jamaica in 1517. In 1655, British forces seized the island, and in 1670, Great Britain gained formal possession. The Dominion of Jamaica gained its independence on August 6, 1962.
When: Jamaicans began to immigrate to the United States in the 1800s and emigration peaked between 1948 and 1970. Historically, the United States have been one of the preferred destinations for Jamaican emigrants, especially after the United Kingdom restricted immigration from Commonwealth countries in 1962 (and even started requiring a visa for Jamaican tourists in 2003).
What region of the US did they settle: The major flow has been to the United States and Canada. New York, Miami, Chicago, and Hartford are among the U.S. cities with a significant Jamaican population.
What occupations did they take part in: The men were skilful fishermen, and caught fish and turtle to eat. They made their cooking vessels out of clay, and burnt them in fire till they became hard. The women grew cassava, corn and sweet potatoes for food. Cotton grew wild in the island, and they twisted the fiber into cloth, strips of which they wore around their waists. In the late 20th century there was substantial nationalization of foreign-owned enterprise in the West Indies because of pressure from governments and, in the Commonwealth Caribbean, as a result of the willingness of companies to surrender their least-viable operations and to use the compensation to open up activities elsewhere. For example, foreign-based sugar interests divested themselves first of land and then of factories in Jamaica and Trinidad, and Jamaicans and Trinidadians acquired interest in foreign banks.
What are the family patterns: The role of extended family is significant in Caribbean families. For many, family does not mean only the nuclear family, but includes aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandparents. Childcare is often provided by extended family when parents work or are away from home, and they sometimes assume as much responsibility for raising the children as the parents.
Are they a group that appreciates schooling: The educational system was slow to reach most Jamaicans until the early 1970s. Even after the abolition of slavery, education remained uncommon; early efforts were conducted mostly by Christian churches. In the late 1800s, some secondary schools created in Kingston served primarily the light-skinned elite. The limited availability of schools, especially beyond the primary level, and the elitist curriculum intensified class divisions in colonial society. A dual system of education, characterized by government-run primary schools and private secondary schools, effectively barred a large part of the population from attaining more than functional literacy. In addition, much of the content of formal education in Jamaica was largely irrelevant for students unable to attend universities in Britain. In 1943, less than 1 percent of blacks and only 9 percent of the mixed races attended secondary school.
What are the basic demographics today?:
The following table includes the number of Jamaicans living in the United States. ‘Jamaicans’ are defined as people who marked their ethnic origin as ‘Jamaican’ on the Census survey in 1990 and/or 2000.
Total Number (1990) |
435,024 |
% of US Population (1990) |
0.2 |
Total Number (2000) |
736,513 |
% of US Population (2000) |
0.3 |
Change 1990-2000 |
301,489 |
% Change 1990-2000 |
69.3 |
Fun facts: Patois uses many repeated words, such as bo-bo (silly person) and was-was (wasp). Scholars believe this pattern came from West African speech.
Today the Rastas are a small sector of the Jamaican population, but because of famous Rastas such as the late Bob Marley, they often are associated with Jamaica. Rasta men are easily identified by their dreadlocks, or locks, matted waist-length strands that either flow down their back or are held beneath a knitted cap or tam. Rastafarian women generally wear locks as well, along with African clothing and head-wraps.
Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean and it is often considered a perfect beach holiday. It is known as the "Little Jewel in the Caribbean." Jamaica has 120 lakes and rivers, more than 150 miles of coast line, and several mineral springs.
Jamaica is sunny all year round, but it has competed in the Winter Olympic Games 5 times.
Linford Christie, who is a former British sprinter, was born on April 2, 1960, in Saint Andrew, Jamaica. Linford Christie was one of the best sprinters in the 1980s and 1990s.
Additional Readings and Sources:
Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups
http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674375123
Caribbean Islands
http://countrystudies.us/caribbean-islands
Jamaican American Association of Central Florida
http://www.jamaicanamericanassoc.com/main/cultural-history/
Jamaican Americans by N. Samuel Murrell
http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Ha-La/Jamaican-Americans.html
Encyclopedia of the Nations-Jamaica-Migration
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Jamaica-MIGRATION.html
Voices of New York
http://www.nyu.edu/classes/blake.map2001/jamaica.html
Jamaica News (about Independence )
http://www.jamaicanewsmedia.com/independence.html
UK Tightens Entry Rules for Jamaicans
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2638347.stm
Caribbean Families - Family Structure, Extended Family, Mate Selection And Marriage, Role Of Religion, Parent-child Relationships
http://family.jrank.org/pages/209/Caribbean-Families.html#ixzz1E2p8OXQY