Abstract
Jamaica's music is influenced by the African, European, and Spanish cultures of its inhabitants. It explains that the different cultural backgrounds of the indigenous tribes blended with the Spanish and European colonists to create a music that was unique in many respects. The writer points out that Jamaican music is a form of expression, as well as an attempt for a culture to define itself. Its achievement lies in the fact that, despite its humble beginnings, it has become a global force in the musical world.

From the Paper
"Lewin and Gordon explain that native Jamaican music can be broken down into five categories, which are ritual, ceremonial, social, work and recreational. In addition, they state that ritual, ceremonial, and the social aspects of the music were the most popular forms of music in Jamaican culture and were still significant at the turn of the century. (Lewin and Gordon) Folk music originated as a result of dealing with life and its variety of circumstances. This underlying theme of coping with the joys and sorrows of life remains a significant aspect of Jamaican music. In short, Jamaican music serves many purposes and, as a result, is a form of all sorts of expressions."

Tags:folk, expresssion, island

From the Paper
"History of Jamaican Culture

Jamaica is rich in cultural history and anthropology. The family life of Jamaicans has been studied often because of its unusual marriage, settlement and kinship patterns. The study of these aspects of Jamaican culture offers insights into the economic condition of the people as well. Social relationships in Jamaica have changed considerably because of political and economic problems in the past 30 years. For this reason, politics and migration must also be examined.

The island was discovered by Columbus and is located in the northern part of the tropical Caribbean. It is 49 miles wide and 140 miles long, with mountains around the entire perimeter. Because of the mountains, the temperature is varied and rainfall is plentiful, offering a variety of soil conditions and cool ..."

Abstract
This Master's level paper describes the upheavals in the Jamaican economy due to the IMF loan conditions, and its effects on the country's exchange rate and balance of payments.

Tags:WORLD HISTORY AND CULTURE / CARIBBEAN, jamaica economy upheavals

Abstract
This paper explains that, from a legacy of colonialism, Jamaica and Bermuda have carved out a more independent path through which they are better able to express an authentic local culture and identity. The author points out that, while Jamaica is the island with actual independence, Bermuda appears to be developing the more versatile and durable society. The paper states that the education system of Jamaica is still hampered by colonialism insofar as external imagery and tourist considerations actually determine what is taught to Jamaican school children so a citizenry is created, which will behave appropriately in the presence of white tourists. The author underscores that the Bermudans are moving towards eradicating the island's over-dependence upon tourist dollars although its education system and no doubt its society remains not wholly dissimilar to the systems of Great Britain.

From the Paper
"Continuing onward, the racial legacy of colonialism manifests itself in many ways. For one thing, there is evidence (at least in the popular press) that racial identification has grown stronger in Bermuda in recent years; unfortunately, the pyramidal arrangement of historic Bermudan society (one in which certain groups are associated with power) has lingered: as one example, it is noteworthy that a Caucasian British subject was chosen to head Bermuda's judiciary over many other qualified candidates - at least some of whom were non-white Bermudans."

Tags:independent, education, tourist, britain, power

Abstract
This paper discusses how Geishas are still active in Japanese society today and how they have been a part of Japan's culture since ancient times. It contends that the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" does not come close to adequately representing the life of a geisha-an important and guarded piece of Japanese culture and history. In contrast, it looks at how Arthur Golden's novel, by the same title, seems to much more adequately provide an insiders look into this fascinating world.

From the Paper
"Many of the geisha community's top clients were military leaders and the leaders of huge companies and factories with homes in Japan. Many of these clients were killed in the war. Those who survived often lost everything they had after losing entire factories and companies to bombs and air raids. Not only did the geishas lose clients--many practicing geishas were lost as well. Thousands of lives were taken from Japan in World War II. Unfortunately, social status did not save anyone from the attacks. "

Tags:kimono, tradition, women

Abstract
These responses discuss early Japanese-Chinese relations, the influence of Buddhism on Japanese culture, and the role and history of the samurai in Japanese society.

Tags:japan

Abstract
This paper is in the form of a speech by Osmane Arslanian, Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations Organization. It provides a general overview of Syrian history, the current state of Syrian affairs, as well as a biography and summary of current Syrian leadership.

From the Paper
"Syria first referred to the land of Aram East of the Mediterranean Sea between Egypt and Arabia to the south and Cilicia to the north, crossing inland, including Mesopotamia (Wikipedia 2004) and from west to east Commagene, Sophene and Adiabene, or what was known as Assyria. This was the larger Syria, which consisted of smaller regions, such as Palestine in the southwest, Phoenicia along the coast, Coele-Syria north of the Eleutheris River, and Mesopotamia. Palestine, later known as Israel, is now composed of the states of Israel and Jordan."

Tags:middle, east, baath, asad

From the Paper
"History, Culture, and Tradition in England

Background
In thinking about England, or Great Britain, what is striking is the long history that it possesses in relationship to most of the other countries of the world. Although it has fought many wars to retain its sovereignty, it has existed as a separate entity for hundreds of years. That entity, however, has undergone many changes in character, along with changes in the influence of various tribes and peoples.

The English Character
As Briggs (1983) noted in the preface to his work, although there are many references to an English character, or way of ..."

Abstract
This paper considers the importance of a nurse understanding different cultures and developing the skills to understand the emic (insider) and the etic (outsider) perspectives of a culture. The paper poitns to Evidence-Based Medicine, which requires treatment of the whole patient, feeling and identifying with people's experiences and history to help nurses to provide the care needed in specific culture sets. The paper concludes by stating that in order to treat a culture the value system and the logic of that culture's behaviors must be understood in order for health care providers to gain insight as to what the real need is in relation to patient health and well-being.

From the Paper
"In order to work in a different culture a nurse needs the appropriate skill set to understand the emic (insider) and the etic (outsider) perspectives of a culture. Since Evidence-Based Medicine requires treatment of the whole patient feeling and identifying with people's experiences and history help nurses to provide the care needed in specific culture sets. In order to treat a culture the value system and the logic of that culture's behaviors must be understood in order for health care providers to gain insight as to what the real need is in relation to patient health and well-being (Andrews and Boyle, 2008)...."

Tags:jamaican, transcultural, nursing

Abstract
This paper discusses Caribbean families and how even though they are marked by internal consistency and continuity of Caribbean kinship, they also have been shaped by the factors of slavery, plantation systems, and poverty. The paper further discusses how the Caribbean has its own family ideology and culture, and the Afro-Caribbean family system contains such basic principles as matrifocality and deep kinship networks. Jamaican society has a long history of family and conjugal union breakdown.

Tags:expectations, contrast, youth