Jamaican Traditions
On Christmas Eve, towns across the island stay open late for shopping, partying, and walking out. This event is called what?
What is Grand Market?
This deep red Christmas drink is made from the sepals of a hibiscus plant and usually spiced with ginger.
What is Sorrel?
In the Faith D'Aguilar song, Santa didn't get stuck in a chimney; he got "ketch up" in this type of tree.
What is a Mango Tree?
Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the _______.
What is the Inn?
What is the specific date of Boxing Day?
What is December 26th?
While American kids worry about coal, Jamaican kids might be scared of these masked street dancers who come out around Christmas.
Who are Jonkonnu (or John Canoe) dancers?
Christmas Fruit Cake (or Black Cake) is dark and moist because the fruits have been soaked for months in this.
What is Red Label Wine (or White Rum/Rum)?
"Feliz Navidad" is a classic, but the main English line in the song simply says, "I want to wish you a ________."
What is "Merry Christmas"?
This city is known as the "City of David" and is where Jesus was born.
What is Bethlehem?
According to the song, Santa makes a list and checks it this many times.
What is Twice?
You know it is Christmas time in Jamaica when you feel this sudden change in the weather.
What is the "Christmas Breeze"?
For Sunday dinner during the rest of the year you eat Red Peas, but at Christmas, Rice and Peas is made with this "green" pea.
What are Gungo Peas?
Boney M. had a massive hit with "Mary's Boy Child," singing about "Man will live for evermore because of ________."
What is Christmas Day?
These three men followed a star from the East to bring gifts to the baby Jesus.
Who are the Wise Men (or Three Kings/Magi)?
If you don't have a fir tree, in Jamaica it is very common to decorate this type of "bush" or tree as a Christmas tree.
What is a Willow (or Lignum Vitae)?
It isn't Christmas unless the house is deep cleaned and you hang new ones of these at the windows.
What are Curtains (or Drapes)?
A leg of this meat, usually decorated with pineapples and cloves, is the centerpiece of most Jamaican Christmas dinners.
What is Ham?
Finish the lyric: "Silent night, holy night, all is calm, ______ ___ ______."
What is "All is bright"?
Of the three gifts brought by the Wise Men—Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh—this is the one that is a precious metal.
What is Gold?
This color is traditionally associated with Santa's suit (thanks to Coca-Cola), but also the Ackee fruit.
What is Red?
Often seen in rural areas, people use lime to paint tree trunks and stones along the driveway this color for the holidays.
What is White (Whitewashing)?
It’s a popular sweet treat made with coconut, sugar, and ginger, often sold in red and white colors.
What is Grater Cake? (Coconut Drops is also acceptable).
This famous American singer is often called the "Queen of Christmas" because of her hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You."
Who is Mariah Carey?
It was this angel who appeared to Mary to tell her she would give birth to the Son of God.
Who is Gabriel?
What is the next line in this greeting: "Christmas a come, me wan..."
"...me llama"? (From the folk song "Christmas A Come Me Wan Me Llama").