Jamaica, To Di World!!
"Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colours flowers, so does art colour life."
John Lubbock
With the amalgamation and hybridisation of various races and ethnicites, the island of Jamaica can be described as a "boiling pot" of many different peoples, ideaologies, cultures and traditions. As with any civilization this Caribbean osasis has spawned by creative and innovative individuals who have divulged many artworks and artisitic conepts which through their ingenuity they have made come alive. In celebration of this, this page of the website will be dedicated to unique and mundane images of life in Jamaica set in various artisitc modes.
 A Yah So Nice! Made from the national fruit that is picked, boiled and steamed with savory seasonings, peppered by the Scotch Bonnet Pepper and tossed with flaked saltfish, Ackee and Saltfish is indeed to fit to be the National Dish. Served with fried dumplings, bammy or boiled/roasted food, whatever you may pair it with Ackee and Saltfish is the supreme complimentary dish second only to Jamaican Jerk. |
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 Quarter pound please! Many words come to mind when describing the unique flavor of carefully seasoned and marinated chicken, pork, rabbit or many other meat and seafood, pan grilled or jerked over a coal fire. Irresistibly tantalizing, authentic Jamaican Jerk has a irrevocable place in culinary history. World renown it is no surprise that many travel to this small island to sample this delicacy. |
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 DI Whole Selection If you by chance get the chance, you will taste the Jamaican goodness in every bite! Sweet, savory or spicy we got everything needed to tantalize one's taste buds. With most made from produce sourced locally you will get to experience true, genuine Jamaican flavor, that will make you exclaim, "OHHHHHH mama! |
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 Wash Yuh Pot, Tun Dem Dung Thanks in part to a tropical marine climate, good arable soil, Jamaica is home to an array of sweet, succulent fruits just bursting with tropical goodness and overflowing with sucrose. These are all enjoyed by locals all year round or during their peak seasons. With such a wide selection many Jamaicans find it hard to choose a favorite, but when this is done they all profess that their favorite is 'di bes!' Whatever you choose you are guaranteed to sink your teeth in natural, wholesome Jamaican sun ripened goodness. (Psssstttt!! You will probably want to skip dinner if you are gonna choose your favorite during any peak season.) Suh, wash yuh pot and tun dem dung! |
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 Buy Sumn From Mi Nuh! Walk a little in a Jamaican market and expect to hear this phrase spoken numerous- "Buy sumn from mi nuh!" The women utttering these phrases and looking you up and down are surrounded by their goods and want to sell their loads. They are masters at negotiation and are often very spirited. Make the day of a vendor by spending thousands on any one stall, and you will then be persuaded to buy just another pound of fresh produce. |
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 Carry Mi Load Go ah Linstead Market Loud, busy and colorful all of Jamaica's markets can be described like this. Offering buyers and visitors alike of shopping options and competitive prices. Whatever your poison a Jamaican market has got it all. |
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 Hot a Tap, Hot a Battam While people in other parts of the world may reserve this style of cooking for camp trips, this practice is still done by many Jamaican restaurants and households. Said to improve the and impart unique flavor profiles, food coked over wood fires are sometimes described by people to be the most finger licking food they've ever eaten! |
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 Everything Central Seeking local foods, arts and crafts , nifty finds and fresh produce? Look no further than a local Jamaican market where these goods and so much more are cold at cheap retail prices. |
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 Walk a Mile There is no shortage of markets on the island where goods are exchanged for JA dollars. But one thing they all have in common are long walkways where vendors are sprawled at each side with their goods positioned all around them and buyers walk around looking for the best deals. |
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 Jamaica Strong and Free! A tribute to freedom and the sacrifices made by our ancestors who fought for the freedoms of all Jamaicans today, Emancipation park is a living monument to the strength and resilience of Jamaican people. Opened in July 2002, the park is filled not only with statues and busts of Jamaica's National Heroes and other important individuals but also boosts an array of flora that contributes to the picturesque, lush landscape in which nature lovers can bask. An oasis where one can escape the hustle and bustle of city life, the quiet environment and the peaceful ambience of the park is sure to remind you of a lyric from Jamaica's National Song- "Oh green isle of the Indies, Jamaica strong and free! |
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 Tree of Life: The Lignum Vitae, Jamaica's National Flower First discovered by Christopher Columbus the Lignum Vitae plant is extremely ornamental, producing an attractive blue flower, orange-yellow fruit. With a tree that is one of the most useful in the world, the name Lignum Vitae translated from Latin means “wood of life” most likely adopted because of its medicinal qualities. |
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 The Swallow Tailed Doctor Indigenous to Jamaica, the Doctor bird or swallow tail humming bird (Trochilus Polytmus), is one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of hummingbirds. This National Bird was so named the doctor bird based on Arawakian legends where the bird was believed to be the reincarnation of dead souls. This was further reiterated in a folk song which says: “Doctor Bud a cunny bud, hard bud fe dead”. Boasting bold iridescent feathers is one of the best dressed birds in the entire bird population unbested due to its beauty. |
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 Money, money money, money, moneyyyyy!! The official currency of Jamaica since 1969, these notes and coins are printed by De La Rue International Ltd., Giesecke & Devrient Currency Technology GmbH, Oberthur Fiduciaire, the Royal Mint (UK), Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Dutch Mint and Mint of Finland respectively. Interestingly, all the coins and notes encompassing the Jamaican denominational currency boasts portraits of Jamaica's National Heroes and heroine, notable Jamaican personalities such as Sir Donald Sangster, Michael Manley and Hugh Shearer all past Prime Ministers of the island. Additionally, printed on all JA dollars are what each note or coin is worth, the National Coat Of Arms and the serial numbers. |
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 Reggae Wall Walk the streets of mural or urban Jamaica and you are bound to find many murals and artistic paintings adorning long stretches of wall. Just relax and soak up these artistic masterpieces that often portray Reggae and Dancehall artistes or things endemic to Jamaica. |
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 Raftin' and Relaxin' Unwind in the lush, rustic countryside of Jamaica by lounging on your own personal bamboo raft skillfully navigated down the green jade waters Martha Brae River sure to give any Korean jade a run for its money in the brilliance of its color. |
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 Adventure Time Jamaica is not only a mecca for travelers looking to feast on delectable goodies and exotic foods but it also has a plethora of exciting and adventure filled destinations. One such place is the Green Grotto Caves, a geologist's dream providing an exciting and mysterious journey filled with underground charm. Travel into a green cavern of mystery and adventure that is not only mesmerizing but also provides a slice of Jamaica's history. |
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 Dip Yuh Toes! Dubbed as the best tourist attraction in Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Blue Hole' as it is called by the locals due to the exhilarating hue of the bright, turquoise waters is a waterfall and swimming hole attraction. A hidden gem located in one of Jamaica's premier resort towns, this should be a must see for those travelers looking to add some fun to the Jamaican bucket list. |
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 Famous Jus Like Reggae A national treasure, Dunn's River Falls is a 180 foot high and 600 foot long landmark that is world renown. A testament to Jamaica's natural beauty, the falls which are terraced giant like giant natural stairs with several small lagoons s the most popular of Jamaica falls. As equally exhilarating and stimulating as Reggae or Jamaican Jerk, Dunn's River Falls offers both a wet and dry climb and a mighty good time for adventure seeking travelers. |
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 Rock Ova! Ever wondered what travelling in Jamaica yardie style on public transportation was like? Well, wonder no more, this painting gives an illuminating portrayal on what Jamaica public transportation via, buses are often like especially in rural areas. Loaded and often crammed skillfully by conductors, affectionately referred to as "ductas". It's no surprise to hear the common phrase of "rock ova likkle deh nuh" or "small up yuh self" uttered during the packing of buses and taxis. These phrases however can be met either by affirming actions or by patrons saying "Ducta, di bus pack already!" |
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