Jamaican in Aruba


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Jamaicans have their roots in West Africa, but they are a distinct group due to generations of settlement on the island of Jamaica. They have developed their own culture and language, Jamaican Creole English. It is very similar to the creoles spoken in many other Caribbean nations.

There is a Jamaican diaspora that mainly covers the nations of the Caribbean nations and Latin America. Others live in the United States or the United Kingdom. One of these nations is Aruba.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Jamaicans reflect resiliency and relaxation in the face of challenges. In Aruba, they have adapted to a new culture while retaining many of their traditional practices.

Jamaican life is characterized by numerous customs associated with various life stages. Weddings are outwardly similar to Western weddings with white bridal dresses and church ceremonies. However, a traditional Jamaican wedding typically begins the day before with a lavish feast. Friends play games and eat until dawn, when they leave to prepare for the church ceremony. On the Sunday following the wedding, called "Tun T'anks Sunday," the wedding party attends church together and holds an even larger party.

Funerals are similarly lavish. Friends and relatives drink coffee, share food, and sing hymns with the family for nine nights after the death. This practice both comforts the family and, some believe, protects them from the spirit of the dead one. After the ninth night, they expect the spirit to be at rest.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Christianity arrived in Jamaica with Columbus in the 1490s, fostering an eventual blending of Arawak, African, British, and Spanish traditions. Today, most Jamaicans identify as Christians, with more than half affiliating with Protestant denominations.


What Are Their Needs?

Jamaicans have the gospel and a fascinating culture. Their musical style, featuring steel drums and a reggae beat, is popular worldwide. They can use music to spread the gospel if they are willing.


Prayer Items

Pray for Jamaican workers to take Christ to the host country as a fragrant offering.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revival to Jamaican churches, purifying them and calling their attention to the greatness of Christ.
Pray for the Lord to provide for the spiritual and physical needs of the Jamaican diaspora.
Pray for the Lord to raise up talented and anointed Jamaican musicians to use music as an evangelistic tool in Aruba.


Scripture Prayers for the Jamaican in Aruba.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaicans


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jamaicans
People Name in Country Jamaican
Alternate Names Panamanian Black
Population this Country 600
Population all Countries 3,375,000
Total Countries 14
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 12316
ROP3 Code 104168
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 28.00 %)
82.00 %
Ethnic Religions
12.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
6.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Jamaican English Creole (600 speakers)
Language Code jam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Jamaican English Creole (600 speakers)
Language Code jam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Jamaican English Creole
Photo Source Masters View / Howard Erickson 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.