James Baquet

The Caribbean island country of Jamaica lies about 145 kilometers south of Cuba and 190 kilometers west of Hispaniola (the island where Haiti and the Dominican Republic are located). By just about any measure, it is a tiny country. Though touted as the fourth-largest island country in the Caribbean, globally it ranks 161st in area (of 196 countries), and 139th of 196 in population. Yet, through its music, cookery and unique religious environment, its culture has had an oversized influence on the world.

Let’s start with the music. Bob Marley was the preeminent — but not the only — proponent of a type of music called reggae, an acoustic, jazz-influenced dance music with a steady walking beat. The music spread partly through the Jamaican diaspora, notably to New York and the U.K., so that numerous non-Jamaican performers have had reggae (or reggae-inspired) hits.

As for cooking, Jamaica is known for “jerk,” a way of preparing food. Typically, a selection of spices, either in the form of a dry rub or a sauce, is rubbed into meat which has been prepared by being poked to receive the spices more deeply. Meat marinated in such a way is said to have been “jerked.” (This comes from the same Quechua Indian word for “dried, salted meat” that is also found in the word “jerky.”)

The third noteworthy element of Jamaican culture is an indigenous religion called Rastafarianism. Though vastly outnumbered by the 70 percent Christian population, this 1 percent of the people has captured the world’s imagination. Nominally following Biblical teachings, many Rastas (also called “Rastafarians” or “Rastafari”) considered the late emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, to have been an incarnation of Jah (God) on earth, and thus the Second Coming of Christ. Rastas often wear their hair in dreadlocks, as seen in popular images of Bob Marley on T-shirts.

English is the official language of Jamaica, which was a British colony from 1655 until independence in 1962 (though a Jamaican Patois is widely spoken). This means Jamaica is the third most-populous Anglophone country in the Americas. Kingston is its capital and largest city.

Vocabulary:

Which words above mean:

1. bigger than expected

2. in name if not in deed

3. emigration of a large group

4. Number one; most superior

5. Boasted about

6. Not using electricity to produce sound

7. Soaked in a liquid

8. Representative; supporter

9. English-speaking

10. manifestation in bodily form