In the show Diplomatic lunch let’s go to some particularly lucky country in the Caribbean. To a country that is also famous for having the most rum. More precisely, a bar of rum per square meter. Once upon a time, before piracy, this country was the only place in the world that produced rum for export. So – let’s go to Jamaica.
Rum is really used a lot in Jamaica, both for drinking, cooking and first aid. By the way, Jamaica was also once the home of the famous pirate Captain Morgan. And another fact about rum – Jamaica is also famous for having the most expensive rum in the world. It is called “Appleton Estate 50-Year Rum” and it costs about 4,000 thousand euros for 750 ml.
Jamaica also grows one of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world. This drink is known as “Blue Mountain” coffee and it is grown only in the fertile soil of Jamaica. It has an aroma and taste that is out of this world. It’s no wonder why coffee lovers all over the world crave this particular drink.
Sprinter Usain Bolt, known as the fastest man in the world, was also born in Jamaica.
Jamaica is a former British colony that was conquered in 1655 and gained independence three centuries later – in 1962. However, it later became a member state of the British Commonwealth. This means that despite the country being a constitutional parliamentary democracy with a representative government, the government operates under a system where the Prime Minister is the head of government and the Jamaican monarch or head of state is the newly crowned Charles III. Jamaican citizens and politicians are increasingly insisting that they want to renounce the foreign monarchy.
The Jamaican government has a tradition of vibrant political discourse and active citizen participation. Public involvement in politics is encouraged and Jamaicans are known for their enthusiasm and passion when it comes to political issues. At the same time, one more feature of Jamaican politics should be mentioned – namely, Jamaican political parties have long been associated with drug-trafficking gangs, which, accordingly, have ensured a high level of violence in the political process.
One of the biggest international scandals in the history of the Jamaican government is the “Trafigura Affair”. It happened in 2006. Rhymes of this are still felt in Jamaican politics today. The scandal involved a controversial waste disposal contract between the Jamaican government and the Dutch company Trafigura Beheer. The contract allowed Trafigura to dispose of toxic waste from one of its ships in Jamaica.
There is another interesting topic that Jamaica has been stereotypically associated with – the marijuana and cultural movement known as Rastafarianism.
Marijuana, commonly known as “ganja” in Jamaica and officially illegal, has long been used by various cultural groups on the island for its medicinal and spiritual properties. However, it was the emergence of Rastafarianism in the mid-20th century that cemented marijuana’s connection to Jamaican culture. Rastafari consider marijuana a sacred plant, viewing it as a natural and sacred sacrament that aids in meditation and promotes a deeper connection with the divine.
Incidentally, one of Jamaica’s most famous figures, musician Bob Marley, played a key role in popularizing both reggae music and Rastafarianism around the world. Marley’s music not only captivated listeners with its infectious beats, but also served as a platform to express Rastafarian views and advocate for social justice. He became an international icon, embodying Jamaican culture, spirituality and the fight against oppression. Therefore, today it is considered that Rastafarianism has already become a religious movement, not just a cultural phenomenon.
From a legal point of view,
it wasn’t until 2015 that the Jamaican government took steps to decriminalize marijuana, allowing individuals to possess small amounts for personal use. The move was intended to shift the focus away from criminalizing users to addressing more pressing issues while acknowledging the importance of marijuana culture in Jamaican society.
The government also introduced regulations on the cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana, which led to the development of a legal and regulated medical marijuana industry.
Taking into account that Jamaica is far from the only country or place in the world where marijuana is decriminalized, in a very playful mood we wanted to find out about the situation and thinking within the European Union regarding the legalization of marijuana. We asked the member of the European Parliament, Ivars Ijabs.
Today, Jamaica continues to attract visitors from around the world who want to explore the vibrant heritage of Rastafarianism and its connection to marijuana. Tourists can immerse themselves in the island’s culture by visiting Rastafarian communities, learning about the traditional uses of marijuana, and experiencing reggae music festivals that celebrate the artistic and spiritual aspects of Jamaica’s cultural tapestry. And tourism is not only culture, but economy.
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2023-05-16 21:56:46
#Jamaica #land #expensive #rare #coffee #rum #Rastafarianism
