This essay will focus on cultural themes in Jamaica’s colonial history, which contributed to the retention of African forms of musical expression. The goal is to learn something about the process of change itself, a fact of life which stands in contradiction to all efforts at preservation. Music is inherently a synthesis and communicator of cultural experience, reflections on the life of music within the island community of Jamaica can only lead to a clearer understanding of cultural phe

A more subtle rebellion of slave women was the refusal to bear children. This contradicted British preferences. Slave offspring were the most economical source of new workers. Women simply adjusted to avoid pregnancy; no potential parents wanted to bear children into slave conditions where they would be removed from home, sold as children. Forms of music were also used to plan these rebellions and for the slaves to communicate to one another and conspire against masters, without looking guilty. Although it was not immediate family participating in this, they were considered extended family, and created a family bond.

This repression of music started during the slavery era and continued for quite some time after. There was strict Government regulations withholding music from receiving airplay during opportune times, as the lyrics were in opposition of the Government and considered rebellious. Reggae was banned in the 1970’s and caused various club closures, and the banning of outdoor dances, depriving the musicians of a chance to reach audiences, with the exception of late night local radio stations. This point clearly demonstrates how music has been preserved under the surface and remained a vital aspect of culture in Jamaica. There was a community struggle to keep musical heritage as a form of expression.

The issue of preservation is further complicated by a search for identity and recovery of dignity. In Jamaica and also in Caribbean studies in general leads to an emphasis on the differences between two musical systems, Africa and Europe, commencing in the slavery era. While this approach may seem simplified, it gives insight and context to finer approaches. Only selective samples of music can be taken and preserved.

Raggae Routes by Kevin O'Brien Chang and Wayne Chen, 1998, Philadelphia, USA, Temple University Press

Some topics in this essay:
Cuba Haitian, Island Jamaica, Jamaica’s African, Slavery Music, Music Jamaican, Church England, Differing African, Religion Religion, Closing Folk, Chinese Europeans, jamaican music, resistance rebellion, music jamaica, slavery era, barrett 1997 writes, jamaica’s african, bear children, african population, african music, worship service, form expression, music social impact, jamaica’s african population,