What Makes Up Jamaica 

Ethnicity

Jamaicans are 90.9 percent black, 1.3 percent East Indian, 0.2 percent white, 0.2 percent Chinese, 7.3 percent mixed ethnicities, and 0.1 percent other ethnicities. According to Oxford AASC http://www.oxfordaasc.com/public/samples/sample_country.jsp. 

Nearly the whole population of Jamaica is native- born Jamaican. East Indians and Chinese were recruited between the 1850s and the 1880s to fill the labor gap left by ex-slaves and to keep plantation wages low. As soon as the Chinese finished their indentured contracts, they established small businesses. East Indians have been moving gradually from agricultural labor into mercantile and professional activities. The major ethnic division is that between whites and blacks. The achievement of black majority rule has led to an emphasis on class relations, shades of skin color, and cultural prejudices, rather than on racial divisions.
Jamaica has never experienced entrenched ethnic conflict between blacks and Indians or Chinese.

Ma/Jamaica.html#ixzz3rJgmMLhjhttp://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Jamaica.html#ixzz3rJgZdinJ 

Religion in Jamaica 

  Religion is a big part of every day Jamaican life. The most practiced religions are Anglicanism, Protestantism, and Roman Catholicism. More than 80% are Christian. 

Almost one hundred thousand Jamaicans are Rastafarian. According to Rastafarians, the only true god is the late Ethiopian emperor named Haile Selassie (know as Ras Tafari). Rastafarians give great emphasis to spirituality and mediation. They use marijuana in their religious rites. They traditionally grow beards as a sign of a pact with God, carry bibles, and wear their hair in dreadlocks. 

*Fun Fact*

"Jamaica holds the dubious record in the Guinness Book of Records with the most churches per capita mile."
(http://jamaicans.com/religion/) 

Death and the After Life

  Death in Jamaica is believed caused by the violation of a cultural norm, evil spirits, or envy. After the death of a loved one, the family gathers at the deceased house and assist in funeral preparations, which include washing and tying the body. A ritual called "setup" involves gathering at the deceased house every night until the burial. Funerals are extremely important to Jamaican culture. 

http://jamaicaelections.com/general/2007/blog/?cat=37

Jamaican Government and Politics 

 Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The prime minister is the most important member of the cabinet and the acknowledged leader of the majority party. He may be removed by resigning or otherwise ceasing to be a member of the House of Representatives. Another way is by being given a vote of no confidence by a majority of House members. Members of Parliament are immune from arrest and protected against lawsuits arising from their duties. Because wealthier individuals tended to monopolize parish council positions, relations of this local elite with the poorer masses were based more on authoritarian paternalism than cooperation.