Why Jamaicans Are the Coolest People on Earth

I know this article will not sit well with many but I said what I said. Jamaicans are the coolest people on Earth. I never say anything I can’t back up with fact, so read on to find out why I know my people are the best.

---

Before we get started, subscribe for new adventures from Elle.

JAMAICA is the birthplace of not one, not two, but SIX musical genres: mento, ska, reggae, dancehall, dub and rocksteady. Learn how to enjoy reggae music in Kingston here.

The coolest religion in the world, Rastafari, was born in JAMAICA. Rastafari was inspired by Marcus Garvey, the first national hero of Jamaica who founded the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914, the largest black movement in history, and also launched the first black corporate entity, The Black Star Liner. Rastafari became a beacon in the fight for freedom and peace in the 1900s for many nations, most notably Zimbabwe.

JAMAICA was the first country in the western hemisphere and second in the world to ban trade and travel with the fascist apartheid Government of South Africa in 1956. As a result, Jamaica was one of the first countries visited by freedom-fighter Nelson Mandela after his historic release from prison in 1990.

JAMAICAN food is the beautiful matrimony of all the world’s major ethnic groups. These are the top 10 unique Jamaican foods & drink.

JAMAICAN people got riddim and our dance moves are not for the faint of heart.

JAMAICA has the most churches per square mile in the world, many of which are rather striking.

JAMAICANS can tun dem han’ mek fashion, meaning our people are extremely resourceful.

Life is better with Patois (patwa), the JAMAICAN Creole. Patois is an English-based creole with West African influences. It confuses most other English-speakers and we aren’t sorry. There are too many cool things we really can’t express in Standard English.

JAMAICA holds the record for the world’s fastest man and some of the greatest sprinters alive of all time.

Good spirits originate here. The rum flows plenty and Red Stripe, the local lager, is Jamaican pride in a bottle. That’s why we have the most bars in the world per square mile too. Here’s are three distillery tours where you can experience great JAMAICAN rum.

One of the world’s most expensive and sought-after coffees is grown right here in the JAMAICAN Blue Mountains. It’s mild in flavour, slightly sweet and not bitter. Enjoy it straight from the source at the Lime Tree Farm, and learn more about Blue Mountain Coffee here.

JAMAICA has had a major impact on the United Nations since its inception in October 1945, most notably in matters of human rights, gender equality, the struggle against Apartheid, economics, the environment and combating the illegal drug trade. In fact, this summary doesn’t do our contribution to the UN justice. Check out the rest here.

JAMAICANS walk with our flags everywhere. You will never catch a Jamaican abroad without a flag. We carry one everywhere then post cool pictures to Instagram with the cool hashtag #walkwidyuhflag. In fact, Jamaica is the only country in the world whose current flag contains neither red, white, nor blue!

JAMAICA has a bobsled team yet no snow. We’re so cool for this, imagine! Jamaica is one of the first tropical countries to enter the Winter Olympics, and became a fan favourite in the 1988 Games which served as inspiration for the 1993 motion picture Cool Runnings.

Ian Fleming wrote every one of the James Bond thrillers in JAMAICA and chose to make here his final home, as did famous British playwright Noel Coward.

We have some of the world’s most gorgeous people. Don’t believe me? JAMAICA has had THREE Miss World winners and a string of other sensational top 5 finalists in both the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions. The only countries to have won the Miss World competition more often than Jamaica are India, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. Check out an article I’d written about Davina Bennett here, Miss Jamaica Universe 2017.

Not only are JAMAICAN women stunning but we respect them enough to serve as leaders too! Portia Simpson-Miller served as the 7th Prime Minister of Jamaica from 2006 to 2007, and then again in 2012 to 2016. In Jamaica, you’re also more likely to have a female boss. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), just under 60 percent of Jamaica’s management force is female, the highest level anywhere in the world.

The JAMAICAN landscape is so beautifully diverse. We aren’t known as the Land of Wood and Water for nothing: magnificent mountains, flourishing forests, wondrous waterfalls, rushing rivers, beautiful beaches and psychedelic sunsets.

Wi likkle but we tallawah (tiny but pack a punch). Can you imagine we do all that for such a tiny isle? They need to make Jamaica larger on the next map! This is ridiculous! I shouldn’t have to use a magnifying glass to see the coolest country in the world.

You’ve reached the end. If you’re still not convinced, you badmind (jealous)! Being Jamaican is an experience, it’s more than just a nationality and if you talk to us nicely, maybe we’ll grant you honorary status. Drop a 🇯🇲 in the comments if you agree and if not, don’t take the article too seriously. It was written by a light-hearted Jamaican. ‘Til next time. ✌🏽

If you liked this post, you may also like:

• A foodie’s guide to Jamaica
• Top 10 free things to do in Kingston, Jamaica
• A Travel Guide to Jamaica’s Blue Mountains

Find Elle on Facebook, Instagram & lend your support to keep me on the road.

---

*December 2019 Update: Another reason to be cool. Miss World 2019 is none other than Ms. Toni-Ann Singh, Miss Jamaica World 2019! 🇯🇲