Christmas is a major holiday celebrated in Jamaica, though it falls during the cool, dry winter months rather than in the snowy season like in Europe and North America. Christmas traditions in Jamaica reflect the island’s diverse cultural influences, including British, African, Spanish, and native Taino. Christmas dinner and celebrations have evolved to incorporate all of these traditions into a unique Jamaican holiday experience.
When is Christmas celebrated in Jamaica?
Christmas in Jamaica takes place on December 25th, the same day it is celebrated in most Western Christian countries. Some of the more religious Jamaicans will attend a church service on Christmas morning before gathering with family for Christmas dinner and celebrations. Others focus more on the festive and cultural aspects of the holiday.
What time is Christmas dinner eaten in Jamaica?
There is no single set time for Christmas dinner in Jamaica. Some families eat an early lunch around 2 pm, while others have a later dinner around 5 pm or 6 pm. These dining times allow for Christmas morning church services followed by family gatherings and festivities throughout the day and evening.
What is typically served for Christmas dinner in Jamaica?
The Christmas dinner menu incorporates dishes from various cultural influences. Some typical Jamaican Christmas foods include:
- Curry goat or chicken – Spicy curried goat or chicken is a Jamaican mainstay.
- Rice and peas – Rice and beans or “peas” are an essential side, made with coconut milk.
- Gungo peas soup – This hearty soup contains meat, dumplings, and tomatoes.
- Rum cake – This moist fruitcake is soaked in rum.
- Sorrel – A red tea made from dried hibiscus flowers.
- Ginger beer – The national drink of Jamaica.
- Jamaican fruit cake – Another take on fruitcake with tropical fruits.
- Asham – A sweet porridge made with cornmeal, coconut milk, spices, and condensed milk.
Other common foods are roast ham, vegetables like yam and sweet potatoes, festive rum punches, and desserts like Christmas pudding. Each family prepares their own take on traditional Christmas fare.
What are some Jamaican Christmas traditions?
Christmas in Jamaica incorporates interesting traditions like:
- Caroling – Groups go door-to-door singing carols in the weeks before Christmas.
- Masquerade or Jonkonnu – Costumed dancers perform routines in the streets.
- Setting off fireworks – Firecrackers and gun shots ring out to celebrate.
- Attending plays or pantomimes – Comedy shows are put on around Christmas.
- Boxing Day sports – On December 26th, families attend sporting events like horse racing.
There are also more widespread traditions like decorating homes, exchanging gifts, and family gatherings over Christmas dinner.
What are some Jamaican Christmas dinner dishes and recipes?
Jamaican Curry Chicken
Curry chicken is a classic Jamaican Christmas main dish. This recipe serves 4-6 people.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add chicken pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
- Add curry powder, thyme, scotch bonnet pepper, stock, soy sauce and brown sugar. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve over rice and peas.
Jamaican Rice and Peas
No Jamaican Christmas dinner is complete without rice and peas. This recipe makes 4-6 servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried kidney beans
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 3 cups water
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, left whole
- 2 cups rice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Soak beans overnight.
- Drain beans and place in a pot with 3 cups water. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil in a skillet. Add onion, garlic, thyme and scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté for 1 minute.
- Add contents of skillet to beans. Stir in rice, coconut milk, salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove scotch bonnet pepper before serving.
Jamaican Rum Cake
Rum cake is a moist, boozy dessert perfect for Christmas. This recipe makes one 9×13 inch cake.
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 small box vanilla instant pudding mix
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup rum
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
Rum Syrup:
- 1/2 cup rum
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, rum and water. Beat for 2 minutes.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar, rum and water. Heat until sugar dissolves.
- When cake is done baking, use a fork to poke holes all over. Slowly pour rum syrup over, allowing it to soak in. Let cool completely.
How do Jamaicans celebrate Christmas?
Christmas celebrations in Jamaica last for weeks, with parties, church services, parades, concerts, and festivals leading up to the big day. On Christmas Eve, many Jamaicans attend midnight mass before gathering with family on Christmas morning. Christmas Day is filled with feasting, drinking, singing, dancing, and storytelling with loved ones.
Homes are decorated with pine cones, ferns, flowers, and other greenery. Adults exchange small gifts, but Jamaican children rarely receive piles of presents like in North America or Europe. For them, the food and sweets are the treats. Fireworks light up the sky for days around Christmas.
December 26th, Boxing Day, is also a national holiday. Jamaicans attend sporting events or relax at the beach after the previous day’s feasting. The festivities wind down in the days after Christmas, though New Year’s Eve is also a major occasion.
What traditional Jamaican Christmas songs are sung?
Some popular Jamaican Christmas songs and carols include:
- “Grand Market” – A mento folk song about Christmas shopping.
- “Christmas Moo Moo” – A mento song using a nonsensical chorus.
- “Christmas A Come” – A classic Jamaican Christmas song.
- “No Lickle Picaninny Cry” – About comforting children at Christmas.
- “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” – Made famous by Jamaican singer John Lennon.
- “Mary’s Boy Child” – A Harry Belafonte hit.
- “Little Drummer Boy” – The popular carol has a reggae beat.
Jamaican choirs also perform many classic Christmas carols with tight harmonies and infectious joy. Music plays a huge role in bringing people together to celebrate the season.
How do Jamaicans greet each other at Christmas?
The main Jamaican Christmas greeting is “Merry Christmas!” Jamaicans may also say:
- “Happy Christmas”
- “Have a blessed Christmas”
- “May God bless you at Christmas”
- “Enjoy the season’s blessings”
Jamaicans use these warm and joyful greetings when meeting friends, family, neighbors, coworkers and strangers around Christmas. The phrases all hope for a Christmas filled with divine favor, merriment, and meaning.
What do Jamaicans wear for Christmas?
Christmas fashion in Jamaica has tropical flair. Many Jamaican women and girls wear colorful dresses featuring traditional madras plaids. Men and boys look sharp in white suits with dress shoes or sandals.
Rasta hats and accessories are also popular ways to dress up. Some may sport Santa hats or novelty Christmas jewelry and t-shirts. Churches see splendid outfits on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
At Christmas parties, fashion ranges from cocktail dresses to festive tops paired with jeans or shorts. Bright reds, greens, and whites evoke the holiday palette. Festive jewelry like big earrings, bangles, and necklaces add Jamaican style.
Conclusion
Christmas traditions in Jamaica blend British, African, and Caribbean influences into a unique celebration of faith, food, and fellowship. Christmas dinner features curry goat, rice and peas, rum cake, and other local fare. Decorations, music, and outfits reflect the island’s vibrant culture. At its heart, a Jamaican Christmas encourages unity and gratitude among friends and family.