Proverbs are an important element in folk tradition… used in everyday conversation. They serve an educational and social function. Proverbs are used to teach, inspiring caution, courage and (common) sense. Many of Jamaica’s proverbs show parallels with those of the two main sources from which they originate: the Asante culture of West Africa and the European (influences); however, many of our proverbs are purely...

On January 9th 2008 the Government of Jamaica announced that the month of February was to be officially declared as Reggae Month. This was done to highlight and celebrate the impact of the musical genre on the country’s social, cultural and economic development. Additionally, the birthdays of two of Jamaica’s and Reggae Music’s late icons are commemorated during the month...

Christmas in Jamaica features Gran’ Market, elaborate church services, parties with sumptuous food, community gatherings and warm interaction with friends and family. Every activity is made more significant with the sharing of gifts, the traditional Christmas pudding or cake, ham, sorrel, rum punch and eggnog, among other treats. Many Jamaicans cannot celebrate the season without adding Christmas lights to brighten freshly painted houses, whitewashed fences and...

Music and dance have always been integral elements of a people’s culture; in Jamaica this is no different. Jamaica’s musical and dance forms are rich, powerful and vibrant and reflect both the high and low points in the society. They are aspects of Jamaican life which represent the general sentiments of the working class and generate feelings of joy and national...

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was established in 1959 with the aim of supporting efforts by Latin America and the Caribbean countries to reduce poverty and inequality. IDB is the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, with a strong commitment to achieve measurable results, increased integrity, transparency and accountability. In addition to being a bank, the IDB provides...

The National Commission on Reparations was established by the Government of Jamaica in 2009 to recommend the form or forms which reparations may take, and to receive testimony from the public and from experts, with the aim of guiding a national approach to reparations. The Commission, which was initially launched under the leadership of the late Professor Barry Chavannes, has...

Syringa Marshall-Burnett, born in St. Mary in 1935, was a multifaceted daughter of the soil, contributing to nation building in the arenas of health and politics, while advancing the status of women in the Jamaican legislature. Her efforts in health were internationally recognized and her zeal forever changed the face of medical education in Jamaica. Mrs. Marshall-Burnett was a leading...

Heritage Week 2014 is being celebrated under the theme: “My Expressions, My Traditions, My Jamaica”. JIS Heritage Essay Competition The annual Jamaica Information Service Heritage Essay competition is back!!! This is your chance to show how much you know about Jamaica’s Heritage Sites! This year the JIS is asking students aged nine to 12 to respond to the question: “Which National...

The disease Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes that causes fever and severe joint pains. It is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread or pass on the chikungunya virus. This type of mosquito also spreads the dengue virus. Messages from the Ministry of Health on Chikungunya  Symptoms The most common symptoms are fever and severe...