jamaica essay introduction

• History & Society
• Science & Tech
• Biographies
• Animals & Nature
• Geography & Travel
• Arts & Culture
• Games & Quizzes
• On This Day
• One Good Fact
• New Articles
• Lifestyles & Social Issues
• Philosophy & Religion
• Politics, Law & Government
• World History
• Health & Medicine
• Browse Biographies
• Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
• Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
• Environment
• Fossils & Geologic Time
• Entertainment & Pop Culture
• Sports & Recreation
• Visual Arts
• Demystified
• Image Galleries
• Infographics
• Top Questions
• Britannica Kids
• Saving Earth
• Space Next 50
• Student Center
• Introduction & Quick Facts

Drainage and soils

• Plant and animal life
• Ethnic groups and languages
• Settlement patterns
• Demographic trends
• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
• Resources and power
• Manufacturing
• Labour and taxation
• Transportation
• Constitutional framework
• Local government
• Political process
• Health and welfare
• Cultural milieu
• Daily life and social customs
• The arts and cultural institutions
• Sports and recreation
• Media and publishing
• Early period
• Planters, buccaneers, and slaves
• Exports and internal strife
• The crown colony
• Self-government
• The independent country

• What is a major feature of the seafloor of the Atlantic Ocean?
• What is the salinity of the Atlantic Ocean?

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• GlobalSecurity.org - Jamaica
• JewishEncyclopedia.com - Jamaica
• Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Jamaica
• The Commonwealth - Jamaica
• Jamaica - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Jamaica - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Recent News

Jamaica , island country of the West Indies . It is the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea , after Cuba and Hispaniola . Jamaica is about 146 miles (235 km) long and varies from 22 to 51 miles (35 to 82 km) wide. It is situated some 100 miles (160 km) west of Haiti , 90 miles (150 km) south of Cuba, and 390 miles (630 km) northeast of the nearest point on the mainland, Cape Gracias a Dios , on the Caribbean coast of Central America . The national capital is Kingston .

Christopher Columbus , who first sighted the island in 1494, called it Santiago, but the original indigenous name of Jamaica, or Xaymaca, has persisted. Columbus considered it to be “the fairest isle that eyes have beheld,” and many travelers still regard it as one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The island’s various Spanish, French, and English place-names are remnants of its colonial history. The great majority of its people are of African ancestry, the descendants of slaves brought by European colonists. Jamaica became independent from the United Kingdom in 1962 but remains a member of the Commonwealth .

Interior mountains and plateaus cover much of Jamaica’s length, and nearly half of the island’s surface is more than 1,000 feet (300 metres) above sea level . The most rugged topography and highest elevations are in the east, where the Blue Mountains rise to 7,402 feet (2,256 metres) at Blue Mountain Peak, the island’s highest point. Karst (limestone) landscapes with ridges, depressions, and sinkholes (“cockpits”) characterize the hills and plateaus of the John Crow Mountains, the Dry Harbour Mountains, and Cockpit Country , a region covering 500 square miles (1,300 square km) in western Jamaica. The Don Figuerero, Santa Cruz, and May Day mountains are major landforms in the southwest. Coastal plains largely encircle the island, and the largest alluvial plains are located in the south.

Numerous rivers and streams issue from the central highlands, but many disappear intermittently into karst sinkholes and caves. Few rivers are navigable for any great distance, because of their rapid descent from the mountains. The Rio Minho in central Jamaica is the longest river, flowing for some 60 miles (100 km) from the Dry Harbour Mountains to Carlisle Bay. The Black River in the west and the Rio Cobre near Kingston are each longer than 30 miles (50 km).

More than half of the island’s surface is covered with white limestone, beneath which are yellow limestone, older metamorphic rocks (compact rocks formed by heat and pressure), and igneous rocks (formed by the cooling of molten material). The shallow soils of many upland areas are particularly susceptible to erosion. Alluvial soils on the coastal plains chiefly consist of deep loam and clay, and residual clays cover the valley floors.

Essay on Jamaica

Students are often asked to write an essay on Jamaica in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Jamaica

About jamaica.

Jamaica is a country in the Caribbean Sea. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches, music, and food. People there speak English and have a culture that’s known around the world. It’s an island, which means it’s surrounded by water.

Nature in Jamaica

The island has mountains, rainforests, and rivers. You can find many plants and animals that live only there. The Blue Mountains are very tall and have coffee plants that make delicious coffee.

Music and Culture

Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music. Bob Marley, a music star, was born there. The country celebrates its culture through dance, art, and festivals.

Jamaican food is tasty and includes dishes like jerk chicken and patties. It’s spicy and uses lots of local ingredients. Fruit like mangoes and coconuts grow well in Jamaica.

250 Words Essay on Jamaica

Introduction to jamaica.

Jamaica is a beautiful island country in the Caribbean Sea. It is known for its rich culture, music, and stunning beaches. The island is full of green mountains, clear waters, and colorful plants and animals.

Location and People

Jamaica lies south of Cuba and west of the island of Hispaniola. About 3 million people live in Jamaica. Most of them are descendants of African slaves. The people are known for being friendly and for their love of music and dance.

Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music, made famous by Bob Marley. Reggae music often talks about love and freedom. The island’s culture is also known for its food, like jerk chicken, which is spicy and tasty.

Sports are big in Jamaica, especially running. The country has some of the fastest runners in the world, like Usain Bolt. Cricket and soccer are also popular.

Places to See

Tourists love to visit Jamaica for its beaches, like the Seven Mile Beach. There are also places like the Blue Mountains, where the famous Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee comes from.

500 Words Essay on Jamaica

Jamaica is a beautiful island country in the Caribbean Sea. It’s famous for its rich culture, stunning beaches, and warm weather. The island is full of life, music, and flavors that make it a unique place to visit and learn about.

Geography and Nature

Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Caribbean. It has mountains, rainforests, and rivers that create breathtaking scenery. The Blue Mountains are the highest point on the island, and they are home to the famous Blue Mountain coffee. The warm climate makes it a perfect place for many plants and animals to live.

People and Culture

Language and food.

English is the official language of Jamaica, but many people speak Patois, a special Jamaican dialect. Patois is full of colorful expressions and reflects the island’s history. When it comes to food, Jamaica is known for spicy and flavorful dishes. Jerk chicken, a spicy grilled chicken dish, is very popular. Fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and coconuts are also common in Jamaican meals.

Tourism and Economy

Tourism is a big part of Jamaica’s economy. People from all over the world come to relax on the island’s beaches, explore the culture, and enjoy the tropical weather. The island also produces things like sugar, bananas, and coffee, which are sold to other countries.

Challenges and Progress

Jamaica is a country with a strong spirit and a rich culture. Its beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and lively music make it a special place in the world. Whether you’re enjoying a plate of jerk chicken or listening to the beats of reggae, Jamaica offers a wonderful experience that is hard to forget.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to Jamaica the third largest island of the Caribben and the birthplace of Bob Marley and James Bond. A place that is both unique and familiar with beaches that strecth “clear blue” forever. And the seemingly endless hours of warm Caribbean sunshine. A trip to Jamaica may include river rafting, waterfall climbing, horseback riding, beachcombing, ballooning, diving, mountain biking, snorkeling or just relaxing in a swaying hammock watching the sunet.

Though the majority of the population is from African decent, there are people from Eurpean, Arabic, Chinese and East Indian ancestry as well. The Jamaica people are multiracial blend.

Once a Spanish colony, Jamaica came under the British rule in 1655 until 1962 when the county became and independent nation.

Larger and more varied than most visitors expect, Jamaica can’t be explored in a few days. Its diverse physical beauty makes it an island that appeals to visitors worldwide. From the high peaks of the Blue Mountan, the dramatic water falls, white sanded beaches Jamaica is waiting to be discovered by you. There is no place on Earth like Jamaica.

Chill Spot in Jamaica

• Ribbiz Ultra Lounge
• Gloria's Seafood

You may also like

Jamaica as a Country for International Business Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Jamaica is an attractive place to set up or expand a business for foreign investors. Having emerged from the crisis, the country’s economy has received stable development, and the tourism industry is actively attracting foreign capital. However, non-intervention of the state in private enterprise and a high level of corruption can hinder the organization of business in this country. When planning business investments in Jamaica, private entrepreneurs should take into account the most profitable sectors of the economy and rely on independent long-term planning.

One of the main factors influencing the organization of business in Jamaica is the country’s economy. Jamaica has a mixed economy based primarily on the service sector (Buckland & Campbell, 2022). The country’s economic development has been uneven since independence. The mining industry was of primary importance for economic development, followed by agriculture. At the moment, the economic development of the country is mainly influenced by private entrepreneurship. Despite the current instability, the economy continues to develop and grow.

The main industries of the country, in which the most successful private businesses are observed, are tourism, agriculture, and mining. The tourism industry represents the country’s main source of foreign exchange, accounting for 30% of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (Mathieson, 2019). Tourism also provides a significant number of jobs in the country. The tourism business, based on the country’s wealth of natural beauty, is attractive to both local and foreign businessmen. An important sector in which private entrepreneurship is successfully functioning is agriculture, which provides up to 7% of the gross domestic product (Mathieson, 2019). An important engine of the economy is the mining industry, in which private business flourishes. The mining industry covers up to 4% of Jamaica’s gross external product (Mathieson, 2019). The country’s richness in minerals, which have so far been developed to a small extent, has a significant impact.

The state plays an important role in determining the situation and conditions of business in the country. Jamaica, which gained independence in 1962, is a constitutional monarchy (Wiseman, 2019). The state acts as a regulatory body for the economy, but private business structures are of the greatest importance in Jamaica. Having dominance in most sectors of the Jamaican economy, private entrepreneurs provide the population with the necessary services, making a significant contribution to the development. Serious intervention in the private sector was required in the 1990s when the country was going through a period of economic crisis (Wiseman, 2019). Subsequent development became more stable, and the state transferred the decisive economic power to private entrepreneurs.

The most serious problems that have a significant impact on business in Jamaica are crime and corruption. According to the 2021 World Corruption Index, Jamaica ranks 70th out of 180 countries (Ubfal et al., 2022). State non-intervention in the private sector led to an increase in crime after the economic crisis, which resulted in more difficult conditions for private and foreign entrepreneurs. Additional difficulties arise from the imperfection of the judicial system, which can investigate cases for decades (Ubfal et al., 2022). As a result of this Jamaican problem, foreign investors cannot be fully confident in investing in the country’s business.

Culture and Innovation

Culture is a significant factor influencing the business sector of any country. Cultural and Creative Enterprises are administered by the Jamaican Ministry of Culture, defining cultural development and equality of opportunity (Kiss, 2020). Companies that contribute to the development of the country’s cultural industry may receive financial benefits, such as a reduction in productive contributions (Kiss, 2020). The state acts as a stimulating body to encourage enterprises that promote the local culture. Government programs also offer small cash injections to creative entrepreneurs to boost economic activity, which ultimately helps them bring their innovative ideas to market.

Cultural Features

The tool presented by Hofstede Insides offers a universal model for the study of cultural characteristics that affect business in a particular country. Appendix 1 presents findings on power distance, individualism, cultural masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgences in Jamaica. A basic understanding of business culture will be provided by the factors of power distance and uncertainty avoidance, since these parameters have a direct impact on the accepted business model in the country. Not all key definitions of business culture have been reported for Jamaica.

The power distance parameter is associated with the criteria of the position of people in society and the availability of resources for business for the general population. Power distance is also associated with the degree to which a society accepts the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few. Jamaica has a score of 45 on this parameter, which indicates that the country needs a hierarchy of power for public order, society develops freely, and power is decentralized (Hofstede Insights, 2022). This parameter is also confirmed by the non-intervention of the state in the private sector of the economy. For business, this position in the power distance is characterized by the need to rely on one’s own strength, not count on state support but, at the same time, expect freedom of action.

The dimension of individualism explores the relationships between members of society. Jamaica scores 39 on this dimension, indicating that it is a collectivist society (Hofstede Insights, 2022). Loyalty to the community is essential for doing business in this country. Private businessmen must rely on the paramount importance of reputation and choose to provide services that benefit the largest part of the population. Jamaica scores high 68 points on the parameter of masculinity, which indicates the important role of force in resolving conflicts and orienting society towards permanent work (Hofstede Insights, 2022). For businesses, this high metric means that they need to prioritize establishing authority in a particular industry.

Uncertainty avoidance on the cultural scale influences whether entrepreneurs prefer long-term planning or predominantly rely on chance. Jamaica scores 13 on this dimension, which means that the country is not avoiding uncertainty (Hofstede Insights, 2022). In such societies, practical experience is considered more important than potential risks. For business, this means that one must independently choose the optimal planning horizon. There are no data on the parameter of long-term orientation for Jamaica, but according to the previous parameters, it can be said that business in the country is aimed at short-term planning. For the parameter of indulgence, which affects the impulsiveness or restraint of the business sector, there are also no data for Jamaica.

Business in Jamaica and the Rest of the World

The strongest relationship between businesses in Jamaica can be traced to the United States. American companies are looking for potential partners in Jamaica to expand international ties. Almost 50% of Jamaica’s foreign trade is with the United States, which remains the main direction of agricultural exports (Haughton & Ivey, 2023). Other important trade relationships in Jamaica include China, Brazil, Japan, and Turkey (Maffioli et al., 2020). Jamaican consumers and businesses source from the US because of their solid reputation as reliable partners. The highest demand is for goods and services related to tourism and the renewable energy sector (Gordon, 2019). Much of the trade between Jamaica and the US is the result of established economic ties (Gordon, 2019). American exporters, in turn, find Jamaica attractive because of its proximity to the United States, political stability, trade links, and the prevalence of the English language.

Analysis Factors

The factors for analysis were the state of the economy, the development of industries, government intervention in the private sector, security, and cultural characteristics. These factors play a critical role in determining the position of a business in a country and outlining the risks that future investors may incur. Important to consider was the analysis of the position of Jamaica in the international market to trace the established trade relations. Based on the analyzed material, it becomes clear that a foreign investor must take into account all the above factors in order to organize a successful business in Jamaica. It is necessary not to rely on the public sector, to build a strong reputation, to independently create a long-term oriented plan.

Jamaica is a profitable country for organizing business, especially in the field of tourism. Established trade relations with the United States allow one to organize a private enterprise with successful functioning. When planning a business, it is necessary to take into account cultural characteristics, such as a low level of power distance and a lack of a tendency towards long-term planning. Non-intervention of the state in the economy and the impact of crime on business must be taken into account in strategic planning.

Buckland, S., & Campbell, D. (2022). Agro‐climate services and drought risk management in Jamaica: A case study of farming communities in Clarendon Parish . Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography , 43 (1), 43-61. Web.

Gordon, L. R. (2019). Impact of correspondent bank de-risking on money service businesses in Jamaica . Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance , 27 (4), 479-493. Web.

Haughton, A., & Ivey, W. (2023). Overcoming productivity challenges in small countries: Lessons from Jamaica . Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

Hofstede Insights (2022). Country comparison: Jamaica . Web.

Kiss, L. B. (2020). The importance of business partnership on the World Wide Web . Business Ethics and Leadership , 4 (1), 68–79. Web.

Maffioli, A., McKenzie, D., & Ubfal, D. (2022). Estimating the demand for business training: Evidence from Jamaica . Economic Development and Cultural Change, 71 (2), 1-49. Web.

Mathieson, J. A. (2019). Struggle against dependence . Routledge.

Ubfal, D., Arráiz, I., Beuermann, D. W., Frese, M., Maffioli, A., & Verch, D. (2022). The impact of soft-skills training for entrepreneurs in Jamaica . World Development , 152 (1), 1-61. Web.

Wiseman, B. (2019). Jamaica . Weigl Publishers.

Appendix. Country Comparison: Jamaica

• Implementing a Global Strategy in China
• Toyota Marketing Strategies
• Fables of Anansi and the Jamaican People
• Jamaican Culture and Philosophy
• The Politics of Abortion in Modern Day Jamaica
• Transworld Minerals Inc.'s Expansion Analysis
• Leveraging Culture for China's Smartphone Sales in the UK
• Global Success in Athletic Footwear Industry
• Setting Business in Bangladesh
• International Marketing of Premium Jewelry
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, September 6). Jamaica as a Country for International Business. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jamaica-as-a-country-for-international-business/

"Jamaica as a Country for International Business." IvyPanda , 6 Sept. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/jamaica-as-a-country-for-international-business/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Jamaica as a Country for International Business'. 6 September.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Jamaica as a Country for International Business." September 6, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jamaica-as-a-country-for-international-business/.

1. IvyPanda . "Jamaica as a Country for International Business." September 6, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jamaica-as-a-country-for-international-business/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Jamaica as a Country for International Business." September 6, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jamaica-as-a-country-for-international-business/.

Celebrating Jamaican Independence: Sixty (60) years of Jamaican Fiction

Jamaican fiction - an introduction, jamaican fiction.

• Celebrating Jamaican Fiction

Readings in the Park: Jamaican Literature: A Quest for Independence

• << Previous: Home
• Next: A - C >>
• Last Updated: May 9, 2024 9:26 AM
• URL: https://libguides.uwi.edu/Jamaican-Fiction

Jamaican Culture

This essay will provide an overview of Jamaican culture. It will explore its rich history, vibrant music scene, distinctive cuisine, and the impact of its cultural heritage on the global stage, highlighting the island’s unique cultural identity. You can also find more related free essay samples at PapersOwl about Clothing.

How it works

The fashion industry is one which is evident in all areas in the world. In Jamaica, for instance, modern day fashion is encompassed within the ordinary dress code of people all over the country. Most of the clothes worn by people in Jamaica reflect a significant part of their cultural and religious beliefs. However, this fashion sense grows from their connection with one fashionably renowned African country, Ghana. Fashion design and contemporary wear in Jamaica is closely related to the African roots from which most of the inhabitants of Jamaica originate.

Consequently, Jamaican culture and fashion are intimately connected to Ghanaian style and fabric utilization.Ghanaian fashion is a significant contributor to the daily dress code of the Jamaican public. Most studies of the history of Afro-American people in Jamaica suggest that they originated from Ghana.

Therefore, most of the traditions such as the use of colorful and African patterned fabric in Jamaica is closely associated with the Ghanaian roots. Ghanaian fashion encompasses a curiously similar system of fabric use that synchronizes it to Jamaican style. For instance, Kente, the cotton derived fabric used in most of the clothing designed in Ghana, is closely similar to the cotton fabrics used in Jamaica. Considering that most of the people in Ghana are black and they originated from Africa, a conclusion that the fashion industry in Jamaica is related to the Ghanaian one becomes apparent. Similarly, the Jamaican fashion industry derives some of its components from the roots in Ghana. The apparels designed in most of the Jamaican tailor shops and fashion hubs reflects a sort of African inspired design.

The fabrics used are often fashioned into a combination of a skirt and top or a dress for the ladies. For the gentlemen, the fashioning of pants and a shirt with short sleeves comprises of their fashion statement. The most evident trait in these designs is that they both encompass the use of short sleeves as opposed to the long-sleeved official wear in other fashion industries. Similarly, the designs are made loose fitting as opposed to entirely fitting. This trait originates from the Ghanaian people both in their homeland and the ones who were transported to Jamaica. Therefore, Ghanaian fashion in Jamaica is a conglomerate of the ideas passed along by the Ghanaian people in Jamaica and the fashion trends they came with to Jamaica (Newman et al. 2013).

Jamaican culture is peppered with several essential attributes from Ghana. The history of Ghanaian culture and fashion and Jamaican fashion is extensive because it began in the times of slavery. The Akan people of the West African region were first brought to the shores of Jamaica by the slave traders (Black 2014). They were then sold to the sugar cane owners in Jamaica, most of them rich white people. The Maroons, as they were labeled back then, served and slaved in the fields of these sugarcane planters for a long while (Reeder 2017). However, with the transfer of humanity came the transfer of culture. The slaves who were brought into Jamaica came with their cultural dress patterns, their food, beverages and cultural economies which they implanted efficiently in the new residence.

The fashion industry in Jamaica back then and more so today, benefitted immensely from this cultural transfer. Jamaica, before the slavery days, had a consistent yet inconsequential fashion industry. The cultural attire encompassed red-dyed clothing which was sewn into one complete dress. This fashion trend is, however, a thing of the past today. The traditional attire for men and women is intricately connected to the influx of the Ghanaian slaves. Considering that about 90 percent of Jamaica’s people are black, most of whom are the slaves, the fashion industry in Jamaica reflects the cultural unloading from the slaves. The most apparent evidence of this fact is the material used in the apparels worn in Jamaica and the design on these clothes.

The design of clothes in Jamaica and the Ghanaian fashion industry is often nearly identical. The black Jamaican community wears loosely fitting entirely covering garments that are made of a breathable cotton fabric (Snodgrass 2015). This material, calico, is locally produced and is cotton derived from fitting the designs which the people wear. This style and choice of fabric are identical to the fashion seen in Ghana thereby confirming that the trend In Jamaica is closely related to that in Jamaica.

Similarly, the current trends in Jamaican fashion symbolize the affectations of Ghanaian traditions and designs (Taylor et al. 2014). The designs that are most popular in Ghana encompass the dress, headscarf and or skirt top and headscarf for the women. These dresses feature African print patterns and vibrant colors such as red, yellow, green and light blue. The men in Ghanaian culture wear loosely made pants and short sleeved shirts as most of their attire. In recent times this fashion trend has been noted as very similar to the one in Jamaica. Most of the Jamaican men also wear pants and loosely fitting shirts while the women wear loose fitting tops and skirts or dresses matched with a headscarf (Quick 2017).

Headgear, as noted in Jamaica, is a critical part of the attire. Men in Jamaica often have dreadlocks, a symbol of their Rastafarian religious beliefs. Consequently, they wear an encompassing hat which is usually made of cotton and which bears colors associated with Rastafarianism. Another similarity between the Jamaican men apparels and those from Ghana is that they all wear even toned colors primary hues and relatively simplistic designs. The women in Jamaica wear headscarves which often match with their dresses and or skirts and tops. This scenario is replicated in Ghanaian fashion as men usually wear matching kente hats and women wear matching headscarves as an everyday apparel. The transfer of fashion through the slave trade scenario has led to the rising of essential fashion icons in Jamaican fashion industry.

The earlier fashion depictions in Jamaica depended solely on the intricacies of the culture brought by the slaves. However, original fashion designers like Courtney Washington and Jami Lake have shown that fashion in Jamaica is made up of history in current trends. Jami and Courtney are both renowned Jamaican born fashion designers who delve into creating artistic designs for women. These designs, as displayed on various essential fashion shows such as the New York Fashion Week, are an intricate display of the amalgamation of African inspired modern day design. Courtney Washington is a Jamaican born New York-based fashion icon and design guru. Washington, an inspiring young man, designs women apparel for several essential fashion brands (Cleaner 2017).

However, regardless of the fact that his designs project international standards, Washington’s work leans more towards the Ghanaian inspired colorfulness and the full body dresses that are characteristic of Ghana. The apparels that Courtney presented in recent events displayed a mesh of color, subtlety, and flamboyance. However, one common trait stands out from the works of Washington, color. The utilization of several colors, often clashing, in the dresses that Washington presented in the New York fashion week runway lay claim to the Ghanaian inspired fashion in Jamaica. The fact that most of his designs had the leaning towards red, gold and green also lays claim to his roots thereby confirming the connection between Ghanaian roots and Jamaican fashion.

Jami Lake is a fashion designer and entrepreneur from Kingston Jamaica whose field of specialization is women (Leeds 2015). The 19-year-old designer is known the world over for her flowing apparels, most of which reflect a close attribute to the conventional dressing style of Jamaica. Lake’s designs often encompass the free-flowing dresses which are made out of breathable fabrics. Most of these attires, just like Courtney Washington’s have short sleeves and are low-necked.

Considering that the young lake is from the black community within Jamaica, her apparels can be attributed to the Ghanaian origins. Consequently, the modern day fashion industry in Jamaica reflects not only modernity but also the traditional Ghanaian affiliations which have evolved to what these two designers are making today. The fashion trends in Jamaica have also retained most of the attributed of clothes to wear in Jamaica, loose fitting and conducive for the hot weather experienced in the island nation.

Jamaican fashion, therefore, reflects a close relation to the comprehensive study of Ghanaian fashion trends. The relationship between the current and past fashion industries in Jamaica and the present day fashion trends in Ghana is evident and apparently developing each day. Consequently, by determining the way that fashion is growing in Jamaica one can determine the direction of the fashion industry in Ghana. Secondly, by examining the fashion trends in Jamaica, a clear and precise path of historical change can be determined and applied towards the study of Ghanaian fashion. For example, since the slaves taken from Ghana have effected a change in the fashion design facet of Jamaica, studying the impact of history to the present day fashion in Ghana becomes a matter of importance. Consequently, through learning how style in Jamaica is connected with the historically significant occurrences, one can determine the origins of the Ghanaian fashion trends and the current changes within the same.

Jamaican fashion is a combination of the culture accrued from the Ghanaian slaves and their hosts in that nation. This means that the fashion trends in Jamaica are a combination of not only the original Ghanaian traditional garbs but also the Jamaican cultural aspects that the slaves adopted. For instance, the short sleeved clothing that the Jamaicans wear and the designers depictions of loosely fitting apparel suggest that the traditional Ghanaian attire was changed to suit the prevailing weather conditions in the Caribbean. Further the inclusion of red, gold and yellow colors in the fabrics and the use of calico, a local cotton brand suggests the adoption of Jamaican cultural traits to suit the Ghanaian traditions. Consequently, understanding the beginning of the clothing trends in Jamaica opens up the knowledge available about the historical and cultural significance of the fashion industry to human life.

Annotated bibliography:

Black, S.W., 2014. African American Collection: Jamaican Sugar Plantation” Deed of Covenant.” Western Pennsylvania History: 1918-2016, 97(4).

Cite this page

Jamaican Culture. (2019, Jul 24). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/jamaican-culture/

"Jamaican Culture." PapersOwl.com , 24 Jul 2019, https://papersowl.com/examples/jamaican-culture/

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Jamaican Culture . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/jamaican-culture/ [Accessed: 8 Sep. 2024]

"Jamaican Culture." PapersOwl.com, Jul 24, 2019. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/jamaican-culture/

"Jamaican Culture," PapersOwl.com , 24-Jul-2019. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/jamaican-culture/. [Accessed: 8-Sep-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Jamaican Culture . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/jamaican-culture/ [Accessed: 8-Sep-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Jamaica is a mountainous island in the Caribbean Sea about 600 miles (965 kilometers) south of Miami, Florida.

Jamaica is a mountainous island in the Caribbean Sea about 600 miles (965 kilometers) south of Miami, Florida . It is part of the chain of Caribbean islands called the Greater Antilles, along with Cuba , Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. Jamaica was formed when the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates collided about 25 million years ago.

Jamaica is the tip of a mountain rising from the sea floor. Nearly half of the island is more than 1,000 feet (330 meters) above sea level. There are lush rolling hills that are ideal for agriculture and coastal beach regions that are popular with tourists.

Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Most of the population lives in the city and one third of all Jamaicans live in the capital of Kingston. More than 90 percent of the population is of African descent, but many other people have come from China, India, Germany, and Syria to find work on the island. Jamaica's motto is "Out of Many, One People."

When most people think of Jamaica they think of Reggae, or "Ragged Music." The music was born in the 1950s and '60s from the musical styles of mento, ska, and rocksteady. The most famous reggae star was Bob Marley, who was backed by his group the Wailers. Other famous reggae stars include Desmond Dekkar, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, and Burning Spear.

Jamaicans are spiritual people and follow many religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam. Many are Rastafarians, followers of a Christian-based faith, which grew out of a civil rights movement in the 1930s.

Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1974, was their savior. Rasta men wear their hair in dreadlocks, believing that hair should not be cut, and wear clothing in red, gold, and green—the colors of the Ethiopian flag.

The island is home to the endangered Homerus swallowtail, the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere. Its wingspan is 6 inches (25 cm), which makes this insect larger than many of the island's birds.

Bird watchers enjoy the 250 bird species that can be seen on the island, including 26 birds that are found nowhere else. The vervain, the world's second smallest bird is found here. This tiny hummingbird is only 2.5 inches (8 cm) long. Jamaica's national bird is the streamertail hummingbird, or "doctor bird." It has long tail feathers and a scarlet bill.

Jamaica boasts more than 200 orchids and 550 different ferns. One quarter of the 3,000 plant species are endemic, or native species. Years of development have decreased the habitats for wildlife on the island. The American crocodile, manatee, and iguana are rare now because they were hunted for meat and hides.

The Taino people arrived from South America in the seventh century and called the island Xaymaca, "land of wood and water," because of the green dense forest and the hundreds of fast-flowing streams that once covered the landscape.

Christopher Columbus was the first European to visit Jamaica in 1494 and called it "the fairest island that eyes have beheld." The Taino people were enslaved and by 1600 were wiped out by disease or harsh treatment. The Spanish brought in slaves from Africa and ruled the island until 1655 when the British seized it.

African slaves worked on the sugar plantations and were treated very cruelly by the owners. By the late 1700s, Jamaica became one of the largest slave markets for the Western Hemisphere. There were many slave uprisings and slavery was finally abolished in Jamaica in 1838. The island became independent in 1962.

Watch "Destination World"

North america, south america, more to explore, u.s. states and territories facts and photos, destination world.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your California Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell My Info
• National Geographic
• National Geographic Education
• Shop Nat Geo
• Customer Service
• Manage Your Subscription

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

• OUR ISLANDS
• OUR RESORTS
• ISLAND LIFE
• OUR COMMUNITY

ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS

An introduction to jamaican culture & traditions.

The Caribbean island of Jamaica is known for its colorful culture and long list of traditions. If you’re booking a last-minute vacation or looking far into the future, it's time to add Jamaica to your list .

And if you're already going there, you’ll definitely want to read up on Jamaican culture, from the music that makes the perfect beach playlist , to the food that you’ll love sampling while you’re there, like jerk chicken and other Caribbean recipes .

In Jamaica, there’s a rich culture waiting to be explored, so check out our guide to the best things about Jamaican culture to ensure you don’t miss a thing!

Top elements of Jamaican culture

1. the language of jamaica.

When it comes to discovering facts about Jamaican culture, language is the first thing you might ask about.

Jamaican language is a wonderful manifestation of the melting pot of cultures that make up this island’s populace. The official language of the island is English, so you’ll have no problems communicating with local people, if that's your native language. However, Jamaican residents have a distinctive linguistic style that you’ll likely have heard before.

The local dialect combines elements of other languages , from Spanish and African dialects, to Irish, British and American phrases. If you're looking to get some more intimate knowledge of how people in Jamaica speak, check out this list of common Jamaican sayings and phrases .

Some elements of the Jamaican language can be traced back to the island’s past in slavery , where African languages mixed with the native language of slave owners.

2. Jamaican Cuisine

The cuisine of Jamaica is now well known throughout the world, and there’s a good reason why. It’s absolutely delicious! Jamaican cuisine focuses on huge flavors, with plenty of Caribbean spices that really pack a punch.

One of the most famous dishes in Jamaica is Jerk Chicken , a fiery chicken dish that combines the heat of scotch bonnet peppers with other spices like thyme, pepper, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Another popular dish to try while you’re in Jamaica might require a bit of courage, but if you want authentic cuisine you’ve got to sample the local Goat’s Head Soup, and the Cow Foot Stew .

Don’t be put off by their names. These dishes really are tasty!

3. Traditional Jamaican clothing

When you travel around Jamaica, you might notice people adorned in the bright, bold traditional clothing that the country is known for. Traditional Jamaican clothing is made of calico cloth , with dresses handmade in amazing bright prints that definitely draw the eye. The traditional outfits are often completed with a head scarf, wrapping up the wearer’s hair.

In addition to traditional Jamaican dresses, you’ll also notice plenty of eye-catching Rastafarian clothing in Jamaica. Rastafarian clothing is often made of red, green and gold fabrics , inspired by the three colors that make up the Ethiopian flag.

These items of clothing are always natural, as their being made from natural fibers is incredibly important to Rastafarians. The Rastafarian outfit is also completed with a hat, which the wearer will use to contain their dreadlocks. The traditional Rastafarian hat is known as a “tam” .

4. Religion in Jamaica

Religion goes hand in hand with Jamaican family culture, and you’ll notice as you travel around the island that there are churches almost everywhere you look . In fact, there are more churches per square mile in Jamaica than just about anywhere else in the world!

Jamaica is a mainly Christian nation , and you’ll find that the vast majority of locals are deeply religious and attend church on Sunday with the whole family. This weekly celebration is really a sight to behold, so if you’re able to attend a local church service, you should try to do so.

In Jamaica, there are a wide range of different types of Christianity being practiced. As well as Anglicans, Catholics and Baptists, you’ll find Presbyterians, Methodists and Seventh Day Adventists. Not only that, Jamaica is also home to many communities of Jews, Muslims, Hindus and of course Rastafarians .

5. Jamaican culture and people

In Jamaica, there are many different beliefs and customs that you might not find anywhere else in the world. These are the cultural beliefs that make Jamaica the nation that it is, and they’re incredibly important to local people .

Specific examples of Jamaican beliefs include the local practice of burying newborns’ umbilical cords beneath trees, which is said to give the infant a permanent connection with their homeland.

Like many of the world’s communities, Jamaicans also practice traditional funeral ceremonies which are distinctive to their culture. For example, Jamaican people gather at the home of the deceased person for eight nights following their passing.

During these eight nights the friends and family of the deceased will celebrate their life, drinking and dancing all night long. On the ninth night, they s ing farewell songs to the deceased person, and rearrange the furnishings . The idea of this is that the house will look different to the person who has passed, so their spirit won’t return. The friends and family then serve a meal to the deceased person, placing it under the silk-cotton tree, where Jamaicans believe that spirits dwell.

Marriage culture in Jamaica is a massive celebration, with Jamaicans pulling out all the stops to send the newlyweds on their way to a wonderful life together. Wedding parties are huge , and if you’re lucky enough to be invited to one we guarantee you’ll have an amazing day!

This is the place to see Jamaican dance, and when you do we bet you won’t be able to resist hitting the dance floor with them. Like Western marriage celebrations, the cutting of the cake is an important part, and signifies the closing of the wedding party.

Visit Jamaica Ready To Embrace Culture

If you’re headed to Jamaica in the near future, we hope you’ve found our guide to Jamaican travel and culture useful. Jamaica is such a vibrant and exciting island , with so much to experience. We bet you’ll love seeing the traditions of the Jamaican people and culture firsthand. Prepare to make some amazing memories.

Read More Travel Guides

19 Beautiful Things Saint Lucia Is Known For

Saint Lucia isn’t called the Helen of the West for nothing – the island literally switched political allegiances seven times between French and the British rules. Only in 1814 did the British take definitive control, something tha…

Cast Away Your Worries & Reel In A Big One While Fishing In Barbados

Cover image credit: Mario Hagen/Shutterstock.com Barbados is a dream destination for travelers for many reasons. Fishing enthusiasts in particular will find plenty of opportunities to indulge in their passion on this island. Wheth…

Scuba Diving In Saint Lucia: What To Expect

Diving in the Caribbean has been likened to experiencing an underwater carnival. Exotic creatures abound in these islands, particularly Saint Lucia, which is a dream for scuba divers everywhere. As you’re diving in warm Saint Luci…

About K. Williams, T. Thompson & W. van der Hoop.

A collaboration between seasoned travel writers, boasting over 30 years of collective experience in Caribbean travel.

Share Article

Copyright © Hello Paradise - The Official Sandals Resorts Travel & Lifestyle Blog. 2017 • All rights reserved.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

• Catch your reader’s attention.
• Give background on your topic.
• Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

• Braille was an extremely important invention.
• The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly  why the topic is important.

• The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
• The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

• Mary Shelley’s  Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

• Historical, geographical, or social context
• An outline of the debate you’re addressing
• A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
• Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A  good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

• Argumentative
• Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 6, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/introduction/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write a thesis statement | 4 steps & examples, academic paragraph structure | step-by-step guide & examples, how to conclude an essay | interactive example, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

A Summary and Analysis of Jamaica Kincaid’s ‘Girl’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Girl’ is a short story by the Antigua-born writer Jamaica Kincaid (born 1949). In this very short story, which runs to just a couple of pages, a mother offers advice to her teenage daughter about how to behave like a proper woman. ‘Girl’ was originally published in the New Yorker in 1978 before being reprinted in Kincaid’s collection At the Bottom of the River in 1983.

At just 650 words, Kincaid’s story can be regarded as a piece of flash fiction or micro-fiction. However, it doesn’t tell a ‘story’ in the conventional or traditional sense. You can read ‘Girl’ here before proceeding to our summary and analysis below.

‘Girl’: plot summary

The story comprises one single sentence of 650 words, and takes the form of a dialogue between a mother and her daughter. Although this is not stated in the story, the setting – as Kincaid has subsequently pointed out – is Antigua, the Caribbean island where she was born and raised, and the reference to numerous local foods, such as okra, salt fish, and dasheen, all hint at the story’s Caribbean setting.

The mother gives advice to her daughter, the ‘girl’ of the story’s title. Initially, this is practical domestic advice about washing and drying clothes, as well as cooking tips, such as how to cook salt fish. It is also parental advice along the lines of not walking bareheaded in the hot sun.

But as the mother’s advice continues, we begin to learn something about her attitude to her daughter: she tells her to walk like a lady on Sundays, rather than the immoral and unkempt woman she is determined, according to the mother, to become.

The mother tells her daughter not to sing ‘benna’ in Sunday school: a reference to benna , a calypso-like genre of singing popular in Caribbean countries and characterised by scandalous gossip and a call-and-response format. At this point, the daughter’s voice breaks in, in italics, and protests that she has sung benna in Sunday school, so she is being cautioned against doing something she already knows not to do.

The mother appears to ignore her daughter’s interjection, continuing to give her advice, including how to wear a different smile for people she doesn’t like, people she actively hates, and people she does like. She then tells her how to dress so she doesn’t look like ‘the slut I know you are so bent on becoming’. This phrase is repeated several times in the story.

The mother carries on, becoming more critical of her daughter’s attitude and behaviour. She mentions Obeah , a mystical religion with its roots in African beliefs and rituals, and tells her daughter not to judge by appearances. She also offers medical advice, including how to bring on an abortion and how to catch a fish, as well as how to catch, or attract, a man to become her husband.

Indeed, much of her advice focuses on the kind of domestic chores a wife would be expected to perform for her husband in traditional societies.

The story ends with the mother advising her daughter how to squeeze a loaf of bread to tell whether it is fresh. The daughter speaks again – only the second time she has done so in the story – to ask what she should do if the baker won’t let her touch the bread. The mother responds, is her daughter really going to be the kind of woman the baker won’t let near the bread?

‘Girl’: analysis

Kincaid’s story is about a mother passing on her wisdom to her daughter, but one of the clever things about the way Kincaid organises the story is the way she seamlessly weaves in moral advice about reputation among the more everyday, domestic knowhow she thinks her daughter needs to know.

The mother is concerned not just with ensuring her daughter becomes a good wife when she grows up, but ensuring that she is seen as a good woman, rather than a ‘slut’ (the word the mother uses several times in this short story) who is viewed as immoral and promiscuous by her neighbours and the wider community.

The title of Kincaid’s story, ‘Girl’, is significant because it becomes clear that the daughter in the story is actually a girl on the cusp of adulthood. This, then, is the mother having ‘the talk’ with her daughter, if not quite about the ‘birds and the bees’ then about how to be seen as a woman of good morals.

Kincaid hints at the girl’s adolescence through several suggestive details, such as the ‘little cloths’ she mentions early on: a reference to the girl’s underwear. This is a subtle allusion to menstruation and what the girl should do when she starts her monthly bleeding.

Given its brevity and the headlong structure of this one-sentence conversation, we as readers are not given any deeper knowledge about how the mother views the society of which she is a part. Does she approve of the patriarchal structure of her society, where women are prepared for their roles as good daughters, and then good wives and good mothers, from an early age? On one level, she is upholding this structure by uncritically presenting her recommendations as merely ‘the way things are’, we might say.

But this might simply mean that she wants her daughter to have a good life and an easy life, if not in terms of the daily grind of household chores, then in how she gets along with her neighbours and friends. By doing as the mother advises, her daughter will be thought of well by the community, and that will make her life easier.

Nor do we know whether she is right to return – as she repeatedly does – to sexual matters and the kind of young woman she fears her daughter is ‘in danger of becoming’.

The first of her daughter’s two interjections suggests that her mother may be misjudging her own daughter, since when her mother tells her not to sing benna in Sunday school, she responds that she doesn’t do that, implying this is an unfair ‘criticism’ of her behaviour.

This suggests – though it can only be inferred on our part, rather than confidently asserted – that the mother is concerned with her daughter being led astray, and her fears about her conduct and reputation may be unfounded, or at least exaggerated.

If this is so, then it only serves to underscore the traditional patriarchal structure of the Antiguan society that Kincaid is seeking to depict in ‘Girl’.

Of course, this would also be true of many other societies around the world, although assuming the story has a contemporary setting (if not in the 1970s then perhaps recalling Kincaid’s own girlhood, from a decade or so before), it implies that – assuming the mother’s attitudes are typical of the values held by that society more widely – there was still a strong sense of the importance of family in Antiguan society when the story was written. And a woman’s good reputation as a loyal wife and hard-working mother is important in upholding those values.

The story is also notable for its use of grammar: it consists of a single sentence, most of which is spoken by a mother who is giving advice to her daughter. The mother’s monologue is briefly interrupted by the girl on just occasions, but otherwise, this story consists of the mother’s words of wisdom to her daughter – about life, relationships, housekeeping, and the importance of reputation.

Discover more from Interesting Literature

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Type your email…

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading