Comparison between Jamaicans and Trinidadians - Essay Example

So, it is a fact that people from both countries look similar because they have same influences to share from the world that changed their history and future. When we talk about the culture of Trinidadians and Jamaicans, we come to know that both posses a rich blend of cultures influenced by British and Spanish who ruled them for years. The language of both Jamaicans and Trinidadians is English that is because of the influence from English and United Kingdom. Trinidadians and Jamaicans mostly belong to the Christian faith but Hindu touch can be seen in the Trinidadians because of the Indians coming from far east countries (Culture of Trinidad and Tobago, 2012).

The cultural traits do differ in some aspects from each other but mostly they are similar. Both have ethnic and religious effects from diverse groups that keep on invading the two islands for several years. The love for dance, music and theatre in Jamaicans and Trinidadians are the same although the way they perform these activities may differ. Both identities seem to have great influence from Europeans who came outside the island to attack. That’s why they are similar in their habits and day to day affairs.

When we talk about the similarity of culture between Jamaican and Trinidadians, we come to know that both people celebrate different festivals not only those of Christian origin but of Hindus and Muslims too. Dance, theatre, literature and writing all have been important part of Jamaica and Trinidad. Folk dance has association for both countries from colonial times and has fame all over the world due to the unique styles. Theatre is growing in importance too in both countries and both cultures show great interests in performing arts.

When one talks about the Trinidadian literary work, Nobel laureates Sir Vidia Naipaul and Michael Anthony are the known poets in Trinida history. Derek Walcott, a Nobel prize laureate born in St. Lucia and studied in Jamaica shows the great interest of both countries in the field of writing and prove that how both countries are so close to each other in literary terms and they share a lot of similarities in different fields (Culture of Jamaica, 2012). It is not the cultural values and tradition that make these two nationals similar to each other despite many differences but it is also the sports that bring them together for sharing a common identity.

Sports have always been a national identity of every country and all nations have a national game to differentiate them from each others. Jamaicans and Trinidadians both do not own a national game as both has been under the influence or British, European and Spanish for a while and the sports they play are also influenced. The most common games in Trinidadian and Jamaican countries are cricket. It is most probably influenced by English people who ruled both islands for years (Sport in Jamaica, 2012).

Football and Rugby are recently growing sports in both countries that they love to play. Trinidadians also play hockey, golf, marathon and volleyball (Trinidad Sports, 2012) while what makes Jamaica to differ in sports is its interest in netball and Olympics. Jamaicans have brought many medals home in Olympics and its athletes have great recognition all over the world. Sports played in both countries may differ from each other to some extent but it