From the early to mid-1800s Chinese art forms and culture have been a part of Caribbean life. What is also clear is that the expansion of Chinese presence on the Island extends well beyond the traditional “Mr. Chin” shops so many of us have come to know and largely appreciate. It includes music, visual art, martial art, language and cuisine.
Jamaica-Chinese pioneers were recognised for their contribution to Jamaican music during the 17th staging of Tribute to the Greats Award Show and Dance, held in July 2014 at the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) in Kingston.
The event honoured the influences of Jamaican-Chinese musicians, composers and arrangers on Reggae and other Jamaican music forms. The awardees included Philip Chen (musician/arranger), Leslie Kong (producer), Ingrid Chin (band leader) and Justin Yap among others. It was a timely reminder for most of the tremendous impact that Chinese influence have had on our music industry, often unrecognized by many, who do in fact enjoy the musical offerings.
On the subject of language, Chinese culture has found favour with a large cross-section of Jamaicans through the proliferation of Mandarin and Cantonese, especially among University students and professionals, in various sectors to the Jamaican economy.
The University of the West Indies, Mona offers classes in Mandarin to students who do not already possess a foreign language upon matriculation, as at least one foreign language is mandatory. It enables students the rare opportunity of learning the language, which is growing in popularity each day, certainly as our world globalizes and the barriers to trade and commerce diminish.
With regard to the written language, the characters of Mandarin (spoken across most of Northern and South-Western China) and Cantonese (originating from the province of Canton and an official language in Hong Kong) are the same; however Cantonese has six tones, while Mandarin has four. Tones, in Chinese language are important, as they alter meaning quite drastically.
The Chinese Benevolent Association of Jamaica also offers classes in Mandarin, but also in martial arts: The Wing Lung Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Submission Fighting studio has been known to offer classes which are quite popular among children and young adults on the Island, especially from Kingston and its environs.
Both Tai Chi and Kung Fu originate from Taoist philosophy and monasteries, which is a way of thinking, emphasising harmony with one’s driving force.
The word ‘Tao’ means ‘way’ or ‘principle’. However, Tai Chi’s movements are generally deliberate and graceful, as opposed to the swift and striking movements of Kung Fu. They may generally be thought of as two separate styles which complement each other to form a holistic art.
Finally, we will look at the most widely popular Chinese art form which has been assimilated into everyday Jamaican life: cuisine. Chinese food in Jamaica is not exactly the same as Chinese food elsewhere, in China, for example. Rather, it is Chinese food imbibed with small and spicy inhalations of Jamaican cooking customs and flavours.
While Chinese soy sauce has become popular with Jamaican ‘chefs’, Chinese food in Jamaica is generally more seasoned and utilises flavours popular in Jamaica such as the tamarind fruit.
The year 2015 will be celebrated as the Year of the Sheep (Goat) on the Chinese Zodiac calendar. The Sheep is a Yin energy symbolizing Peace, Harmonious co-existence and Tranquillity. According to the calendar, though there are calls for war, it will be averted in favour of compromise and healing.
Whatever you believe, make this Christmas and New Year one of kindness, love and tolerance for all our brothers and sisters, through whose cultural influences and artistry, our world continues to grow, replacing negative energies with a superior, positive and prosperous
essence for us all. Happy Holidays!
Share this post:
From the early to mid-1800s Chinese art forms and culture have been a part of Caribbean life. What is also clear is that the expansion of Chinese presence on the Island extends well beyond the traditional “Mr. Chin” shops so many of us have come to know and largely appreciate. It includes music, visual art, martial art, language and cuisine.
Jamaica-Chinese pioneers were recognised for their contribution to Jamaican music during the 17th staging of Tribute to the Greats Award Show and Dance, held in July 2014 at the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) in Kingston.
The event honoured the influences of Jamaican-Chinese musicians, composers and arrangers on Reggae and other Jamaican music forms. The awardees included Philip Chen (musician/arranger), Leslie Kong (producer), Ingrid Chin (band leader) and Justin Yap among others. It was a timely reminder for most of the tremendous impact that Chinese influence have had on our music industry, often unrecognized by many, who do in fact enjoy the musical offerings.
On the subject of language, Chinese culture has found favour with a large cross-section of Jamaicans through the proliferation of Mandarin and Cantonese, especially among University students and professionals, in various sectors to the Jamaican economy.
The University of the West Indies, Mona offers classes in Mandarin to students who do not already possess a foreign language upon matriculation, as at least one foreign language is mandatory. It enables students the rare opportunity of learning the language, which is growing in popularity each day, certainly as our world globalizes and the barriers to trade and commerce diminish.
With regard to the written language, the characters of Mandarin (spoken across most of Northern and South-Western China) and Cantonese (originating from the province of Canton and an official language in Hong Kong) are the same; however Cantonese has six tones, while Mandarin has four. Tones, in Chinese language are important, as they alter meaning quite drastically.
The Chinese Benevolent Association of Jamaica also offers classes in Mandarin, but also in martial arts: The Wing Lung Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Submission Fighting studio has been known to offer classes which are quite popular among children and young adults on the Island, especially from Kingston and its environs.
Both Tai Chi and Kung Fu originate from Taoist philosophy and monasteries, which is a way of thinking, emphasising harmony with one’s driving force.
The word ‘Tao’ means ‘way’ or ‘principle’. However, Tai Chi’s movements are generally deliberate and graceful, as opposed to the swift and striking movements of Kung Fu. They may generally be thought of as two separate styles which complement each other to form a holistic art.
Finally, we will look at the most widely popular Chinese art form which has been assimilated into everyday Jamaican life: cuisine. Chinese food in Jamaica is not exactly the same as Chinese food elsewhere, in China, for example. Rather, it is Chinese food imbibed with small and spicy inhalations of Jamaican cooking customs and flavours.
While Chinese soy sauce has become popular with Jamaican ‘chefs’, Chinese food in Jamaica is generally more seasoned and utilises flavours popular in Jamaica such as the tamarind fruit.
The year 2015 will be celebrated as the Year of the Sheep (Goat) on the Chinese Zodiac calendar. The Sheep is a Yin energy symbolizing Peace, Harmonious co-existence and Tranquillity. According to the calendar, though there are calls for war, it will be averted in favour of compromise and healing.
Whatever you believe, make this Christmas and New Year one of kindness, love and tolerance for all our brothers and sisters, through whose cultural influences and artistry, our world continues to grow, replacing negative energies with a superior, positive and prosperous
essence for us all. Happy Holidays!
Share this post: