Culture

The Ethnic groups include mixed 40%, white 20%, and black 20%. Expatriates of various ethnic groups belong to the other 20%.

Grand Cayman, particularly the area of George Town and the resorts which are located around Seven Mile Beach, has been profoundly influenced by the Americans. The total population of the three islands of mixed African and European is somewhere around 36,600, of which nearly 33,000 live on Grand Cayman. Most of them reside in George Town or the smaller towns of West Bay, Bodden Town, North Side, and East End.

Towards the other smaller and tiny villages and also along the Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, the culture is more traditionally West Indian, although the British influence is not completely missing.

You will come across a number of churches in the Caymans with lots of Christians frequenting them.

A. Music

In the Cayman Islands, you will find a number of pop singers that cater to tourists, while the citizens enjoy a selection of international pop music and their own folk styles.

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation, which was established in 1984, helps safeguard and also endorses Cayman folk music. This features organizing and managing festivals such as Cayman Islands' International Storytelling Festival, the Cayman JazzFest and Cayfest.

The official national anthem of the Cayman Islands is considered to be ‘God Save the Queen'. The song ‘Beloved Isles Cayman', composed by Leila E. Ross, is the unofficial anthem.

B. Language

The main language is English. There are individual accents that generally reflect the tradition and customs from Welsh, Scottish and English ancestors. Spanish, particularly regional dialects of Central America and Cuba, is also extensively spoken. Jamaican patois is also prevalent

C. Religious Practices

Religions that are prevalent in Cayman Islands are the United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, and other Protestant denominations. Christianity is the main religion practiced on the Cayman Islands.

In addition, a mixture of religious fellowships and other religions have strong support from the community that includes the Full Gospel Businessmen's fellowship, Youth for Christ, Women Aglow, Gideons and Keswick, which work with local churches.

D. Major Events

Pirates Week

If you are visiting this place at the end of October you cant miss the National Pirates Week Festival that is celebrated around that time. The celebrations start with the fireworks displays that can be viewed from Hog Sty Bay in George Town, the capital. There is a also an impressive parade that passes through George Town, where you can participate in costume contests, dance to the music, and watch the brilliant street dances and performances. The event also features a food festival that offers a true feast. The celebration features many activities for children.

Batabano Carnival

Since its humble beginnings in 1984 as a community event, which closed the tourism season, Rotary's Batabano Carnival has grown to become one of Cayman Islands' most popular National Tourism Attractions. This carnival draws thousands of residents and visitors out into the streets to enjoy the music and dancing of the Mas' (short for Masquerade). With over 500 costumed participants in the Mas', Batabano's Street Parade is a wonderfully colorful spectacle enjoyed by adults and children of all ages.

Million Dollar Month

The month of June is known as the Million Dollar Month. The most popular event during this period is the Million Dollar Month International Fishing Tournament. Several other ‘warm-up' events are also held throughout the month.

Cayfest

July features a national festival of arts, with craft exhibits, sailing races, art shows, musical events and some great dancing and mouthwatering delicacies.

National Holidays include

New Year's Day (January 1)

Ash Wednesday (early March)

Good Friday (early April)

Easter Monday (early April)

Discovery Day (3rd Monday in May)

Queen's Birthday (June 13)

Constitution Day (1st Monday in July)

Remembrance Day (November 14)

Christmas Day (December 25)

August Thursday (first Thursday in August)

Boxing Day (December 26)

E. Etiquettes / Do's and Don'ts

Do's

- Drive on the left side of the road. Though driving in America is different, adapting to the left side does not take too long and a day's practice should be good enough.

- Food costs are high on the island. When checking menu prices, tourists should be attentive to whether it is to be paid in US dollars or Cayman Island dollars.

- Do withdraw enough cash when visiting smaller islands around Cayman. This is because these destinations may not have enough ATMs and the existing ones may run dry.

- It's not a bad idea to take the cash you will need to the sister islands as banking facilities are few and far apart.

- Do taste rum cake while you are there. A local specialty, almost all islanders have mastered the art of baking rum cakes.

Don'ts

- Marine life should not be disturbed. Do not touch the exhibits at marine parks, especially the corals.

- Do not sideline dive packages presented by hotels and resorts. This is because arranging for such activities on your own could prove to be much more expensive.

- Don't drink and drive, as this could be reason enough to spend time in jail or even delay return plans, apart from having to deal with the complications attached with it.