Experience Jamaican Maroon Culture at These Three Festivals

Jamaica, with its rich history and vibrant culture, boasts numerous festivals and celebrations that are deeply rooted in its heritage. Among these are the Maroon Festivals which pay homage to the resilient spirit and traditions of the Jamaican Maroons – direct African descendants who escaped slavery and formed their own communities in the rugged interior of the island. The island’s three Maroon Festivals each offer a unique insight into Jamaica’s African cultural retention: namely the Accompong Maroon Festival, the Charles Town Maroon Festival, and Kromanti Fest. Here’s why you should pay these three festivals a visit.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle8 Comments

3 Jamaican Festivals Worth the Journey

The jewel of the Caribbean, Jamaica, is not only famed for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture but also for its lively festivals that celebrate the island’s rich heritage. Among the myriad of events that dot our calendar, several stand out as must-visit experiences for any traveler seeking to immerse themselves in the essence of Jamaican culture. I wrote about our annual Jamaican food festivals and music festivals last year, however there are some more experiences which didn’t fit into these categories but deserved the mention. Each of these 3 festivals offers a unique glimpse into different aspects of Jamaica’s soul, from its literary prowess to its sporting legacy. With that said, today let’s talk about three Jamaican festivals worth the journey.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

Shamrock in Jamrock: Jamaica’s Irish Legacy

St. Patrick’s Day is an annual cultural and religious holiday celebrated on March 17, and a public holiday in Ireland, Northern Ireland, some Canadian provinces and in Montserrat, the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean. It commemorates the death of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. While St. Patrick’s Day has religious origins, the holiday has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture and heritage where people wear green, decorate with shamrocks and often indulge in Irish whiskey and beer, particularly the iconic Irish stout Guinness. Jamaica does not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in any shape or form, but since the holiday is just around the corner, I thought it fitting to share five facts about Jamaica’s rich Irish heritage.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle11 Comments

Beyond Conquest: What the Spanish Left in Jamaica

Did you know that at one point in history, Jamaica was Spanish speaking? The first Europeans to colonize Jamaica were the Spanish and they occupied the island from 1509 until 1655 when the British invaded and captured Jamaica. Though their time in Jamaica was relatively brief, Spanish colonization in Jamaica still left a lasting impact. Today, let’s talk about four legacies of former Spanish rule and settlement in Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle15 Comments

Festive Menus to Try This Christmas in Jamaica

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As such, I’ve written many articles about Christmas in Jamaica, including one about our unique Christmas carols and another about the interesting phenomenon of Christmas breeze. Most of those articles were written in 2020 for Blogmas when I had had more time to spare. Nonetheless, I think it’s time for a sequel to my 2020 article on festive eats as so many other restaurants and bars have hopped on the seasonal menu bandwagon and I’m here for it!

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle27 Comments

Unearth Taino History at These 5 Sites in Jamaica

If you’ve been following my blog for some time, you’ll realize that I love history. I’m very fascinated by ancient civilizations, especially the people who lived in the Americas before Columbus changed World History forever in 1492. This explains why visiting the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu was high on my bucket list. Another group of people who fascinate me just as much are the Tainos, one of Jamaica’s first people. That being said, today I’ll talk about the Tainos and five Taino sites which still exist in Jamaica today.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle14 Comments

Exploring the Cultural Ties Between Scotland & Jamaica

This lush and culturally diverse Caribbean island carries within its history various influences, including that of Scotland. Our Scottish connection dates back to 1656 when Oliver Cromwell banished 1200 Scottish prisoners-of-war to Jamaica, England’s recently acquired colony. Subsequently, the practice of banishing Scottish exiles to Jamaica continued, and several thousand more Scotsmen came to Jamaica as indentured and skilled labourers with the promise of land and other riches. Eventually, Scottish settlers became involved in the slave trade and used enslaved Africans as their labour force on the sugar plantations. As such, Scottish and Jamaican history are intricately intertwined, albeit ghastly in many ways. Today, I’ll share five tangible ways in which Scotland has shaped Jamaican society.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle24 Comments

Forgotten Footprints: Welsh Legacy in Jamaica

Last week’s article on Oktoberfest & Jamaica’s German legacy was so well received that I decided to continue this history series. Plus, this research is super fun! Similar to the Germans, the Welsh migrated to Jamaica in smaller droves but their presence is a lot more tangible today. The Welsh arrived to Jamaica alongside the British in the mid-1600s, but even before then Welsh pirate Henry Morgan was already raiding settlements and shipping bases in Port Royal. In fact, Henry Morgan was one of the richest pirates in the Caribbean and served as one of Jamaica’s earliest Lieutenant Governors under British rule. Most Welsh migrants to Jamaica were ministers of religion and plantation managers especially from the Anglican, Moravian and Methodist faiths. Others were artisans, sailors and labourers. With that said, let’s share five facts about Welsh legacy in Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle24 Comments

The Untold Story of Germans in Jamaica

Did you know that Jamaica has German history? Their numbers were significantly smaller compared to other European immigrants, but they are still a visible minority group thanks to The Jamaican German Society which works closely with the German Embassy in Kingston. Today, German isn’t spoken in Jamaica nor taught in Jamaican schools or universities but it’s still possible to enjoy a taste of Germany in Jamaica as the two countries have an intertwined history and diplomatic ties. In commemoration of Oktoberfest, today I’ll share five facts about German legacy in Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle8 Comments
Gathering of people around performer on stage

Where to Get Weekly Live Music in Kingston

Kingston, Jamaica, is a vibrant city known for its rich culture, art scene, reggae music, and pulsating rhythms. If you’re a reggae music enthusiast looking for an authentic live music experience, you’re in for a treat. Kingston is home to a plethora of venues which cater to roots reggae lovers, offering locals and visitors alike a chance to immerse themselves in the island’s rhythmic beats. In today’s post, we’ll explore three live music venues in Kingston where you can groove to the infectious beats and sounds which make Jamaica’s music scene so iconic. These venues host weekly events which make up Kingston’s music calendar.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle21 Comments