JAMAICA: the African soul of the Caribbean Sea

The sea surrounds it, the sun inundates it, the mountains have been the salvation for the Maroons, the African slaves who just in the mountain’s forests found refuge and safety. Since 1930 the African identity gave origin to the Rasta culture, which the mythical artist Bob Marley made famous all over the world by his music. Bob Marley’s renown arrived to such a point, that people associate Jamaica to long braided hairs, marijuana and Reggae music. In reality the Rasta are a minority, in a country which was colonized first by the Spanish, then by the English. In spite of that, Jamaica has an African culture heritage in its popular stories, in its religious faiths, but especially in the rhythm of the Reggae music. Nowadays Jamaica is a country with a strong tourist vocation: its wonderful beaches, as the Negril’s white sandy beach, the charming tropical vegetation of the Blue Mountains and the beautiful Dunn’s River Falls, make Jamaica to be the favorite destination of thousands of tourists. Anyway in the whole world Jamaica means Reggae music and every year the music reach its top in the Sum Fest, the Reggae music Festival started by Bob Marley. The Sum Fest lasts 5 days and takes place in Montego Bay between the end of July and the beginning of August. It generally starts with a meeting in Walter Fletcher Beach and has a different topic each night for the following 4 days. Every year there are performances by the most important Reggae music artists and by famous international guests.

To know more:
http://www.reggaesumfest.com
http://www.visitjamaica.com/home/Default.aspx

Reportage: 100 photos on CD-Rom