On this blog, we will be taking you on a journey to learn about Jamaica. http://www.jamaicaadventuresecrets.com Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:30:55 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.jamaicaadventuresecrets.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.jamaicaadventuresecrets.com On this blog, we will be taking you on a journey to learn about Jamaica. http://www.jamaicaadventuresecrets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205&Itemid=148     Jamaica’s top event, the annual Emancipation and Independence (from-emancipation-to-independence.html)Celebrations Is held  during the week of August 1 – 6.  Jamaicans all over the world celebrate the emancipation of slavery and our independence from England.  The most popular cultural activities are music, dance and poetry.   Through the week of celebrations, the Cultural Development Commission (http://www.jcdc.org.jm/index.php), a government agency, preserves Jamaica’s culture. Schools all across the island participate in cultural competitions.    The very best of these competitions are showcased during the week of August 1 – 6 and what a feast await all who sample. There is something for everyone but music and dance are the highlights of the event.   Jamaica’s (http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/) population is 90% of African descent and was brought to the island as slaves to work on the sugar cane estates. Life was hard and there was very little recreation and entertainment so the slaves turned to the musical instruments they once used in Africa.   The drums, fife, abeng, cow horn, bamboo fiddles and many others instruments were first used to make music.Out of this era came the traditional folk dances like the maypole. This is a dance usually performed on the first day of May where group of dancers would plait a pole with ribbons.   There... Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:49:10 +0100 http://www.jamaicaadventuresecrets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=188&Itemid=88   Hey Everyone,    Take a tour of Smokey Manor Guest House with me and see my little piece of paradise     K3rWyy8q-5k       Is This Accommodation Ideal For You?     Smokey Manor is an ideal getaway for travelers looking to explore Jamaica including, Kingston, with all its cultural centers and diversity.   Ideal for families, couples, small groups or the independent traveler, if you are looking for an elegant and attractive budget accommodation, then Smokey Manor awaits you!     For Missionaries and those seeking a Volunteer experience, our support and services are invaluable. If you have a special interest group or You are just looking for rest, relaxation, healing, peace or beauty, contact us and we will take care of you.   Maureen Wright-Evans is the CEO of Jamaica Adventure Secrets - a company that specializes in packages designed for the Ultimate Authentic Jamaica Experience. Find out how YOU can have the adventure of your life or experience a volunteer vacation: www.jamaicaadventuresecrets.com (../../undefined/) Phone: From USA 718-878-5588 Others: 876-969-4158     Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:28:23 +0100 http://www.jamaicaadventuresecrets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=182&Itemid=148 Music and dance are two elements of Kumina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumina),” which originated in West Africa. This style of dance is predominantly found in the parishes of St. Thomas and St. Mary and is otherwise known as “Kalunga” or “Kaduunga.”     Kumina features flat-footed inching of the feet (or the kongo step), a steady, but often subtle forward-thrusting of the hip with the rib cage and arms moving against the hip, followed by wild spins and sudden breaks, all signaled by the lead drum. The dominant elements of Kumina are dance, music, spirit possession, healing, and the use of herbs.     The drums used in the dance are the Kbandu, which provide the basic rhythms, and “Playing Cast,” the lead drum. These go together with candles, graters, shakas and catta sticks, played on the back of the drum. According to Jamaica Journal, Volume 10, No.1, “Linguistic evidence cites the kongo as a specific ethnic source for the ‘language’ and possibly the music of Kumina.” There are Congolese words in some of the Kumina songs performed in Jamaica, which shows Jamaica’s connection to Africa.     A Kumina session involves dancing and drumming of two natures. Bailo is more public and less sacred, where songs are sung mainly... Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:53:15 +0100 http://www.jamaicaadventuresecrets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=114&Itemid=148     Jamaica Reggae Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0me2Hl7P2c)is a favourite around the world and February is celebrated in Jamaica as Reggae Month and Bob Marley's Birthday. (http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080110/ent/ent2.html)   (http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080110/ent/ent2.html) nQlOLARxC_A    Reggae lovers around the world are in for a feast as the full month of February, Reggae events will be staged all over the island of Jamaica.   The launch of these activities will start with the celebrations of Bob Marley's birthday. The king of Reggae was born on February 6 and this year his former home, now the Bob Marley Museum (http://www.bobmarley-foundation.com/museum.html), will host a very special party to honour this great man.   The climax of Bob Marley's birthday celebration will be a party called "Soul Shake down Party" at the Bob Marley's Museum. For people celebrating Jamaica Reggae Music, this is the party to go. Music from Bob's era will be played non stop from 7 p. m. to 2 a. m.   In addition to this, Tuff Gong International (http://www.tuffgong.com/), Bob Marley's famous recording studio and shop will invite schools to participate in a special event by the name of "making music." Students will be able to see how Bob's records are produced and hear all about music production.   As a tribute to Bob Marley, there will be a three... Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:33:19 +0100