* hy 1A. EHRIBBE RM CPUS NOVES HODWLE — CARIBREAN COEETY AND euLruEe (OSATION GE INE ERRIRECAN Rein Greater Awlilles: Cubs, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Jamaica, Puerto Rico Lemor Avatitiess © Windward isfowds: Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique © Leeward islands: Antigua snd Bartyoda.St, Kitts-Nevis, Montoorrt, Anguilla, Virgin islands Netherland Améllles: Aruba, Bonaire, Curabéo (ABC islands); Saint Matten, ‘Sabe, St. Eustatius. Mainland Territories: Guyana, Belize, Suriname, Cayenne (French Guyane) thers: Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Cayman Islands, Bahama Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands TE CARIBBEAN REGION A So 3 Eombtled fe CRRcaktond BEM 1EO ——— B. REPINIVIONS OF. TUE. CARDREON REGION geneva > 1. QSDERAPUEAL CORIBRGAN: ‘The Caribbean is a disjunct land bridge between North and South America with an East — West stretch of almost 3000 Km and a North ~South seach of some 1500 Km. Only 10% of this is land. Geographically the Caribbean ig defined as thé land rea which has its coastline washed by the Caribbean Seai‘This ‘neon that the Greaier and Lesser ‘Auiifes, the Cayman Islands and the islands of the Netiverland Aiilles all belong to the Catibbedn ‘By this definition Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas would however be CARIBBEAN DEFINITIONS excluded from the Caribbean. It would also include Belize, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras and exclude the mainland territories of Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana ( Cayenne). ai, UIETORICAL ECARIBBERN This is the area colonised by European powers (Spanish, British, French and Dutch) and which has been deeply affected by the brand of European Colonialism, The Spanish through the emcousiemda system and other meains exterminated the original inhabitants. The British introduced the plawtation system and with it, the enslavement of Africans and the indeatureshilp of the Chinese and East Indians. The Dutch and French not only colonised but were involved in an ongoing trade within the region. It has become gommon way to identify ‘the Caribbean based on the experience of specific European colonialism, Within this historical context has arisen a multiracial society with marked social stratification and racial hybridization, ersopiled by EiBecltjordCHOLDREML CARIBET AN The Caribbean is scen as thet area of the region defined by the Caribbean Plate and which therefore experiences the same tectonic, seismic and voleanic features and processes. The lands of the Caribbean are said to be formed from earth movements called Plage. ‘Festomies. tn the Caribbean about 140 railtion years ago the sinaller Caribbhenn ptate moved under the North American plate to be ne-metted in the earth’s mantle causing velenaie netivities and consequently the formation of the Greater and Lesser Antifies, The istands is this Caribbean chain are believed to be the tops of subyserged mowntelas linked to the Andean mouataia range in Central America. There is a rich variety of landscape features in the Cariboean as 2 result of the structure of the islands and maintands. All the aoainiand territories of the region have high mountain ranges, targe rivers asd vast areas of loviland. There are voleanic peaks in the ranges, crater lakes high up in mountains, 5 a 1s end lagoons. With the exception of Cuba, all the comtinemtall islag canspited by E Becksonthe Greater Antilles are mountainous. Cubs his wide clevated plains (plateaus) over 1000m in altitude, The mountain ranges restrict settlement and present transportation difficulties. Many of them however have valuable minerals deposits. Most of the Caribbean mountain ranges are joined to those of Centsal America. In the Greater Antilles there are also many low-lying alluvial plains and steep limestone hills with caves, Tho rivers on these plains are not very large and many disappear underground. ‘The smaller voleanic ialends of the Easter Caribbean are also rugged and mountainous, Volcanic eruptions have occurred on some of these islands in the past (Mt. Pelee). Recently there have been eruptions in St Vincent and Montserrat. These eruptions have caused much damage to surrounding settlements. Hot springs, crater lakes and fumerole, are the only evidence of past volcanic activity in some islands. Over the years the steep sloper of some of these mountains have been changed by the work of the sun, wind, rain and runnin, water (weathering and erosion). Volcanic islands have a good water supply and deep fertile soils. The rugged mountains, narrow valleys and swift flowing streams make beautiful scenery. The Limestone islands are built up from the skeletal remains of coral polyps in the ‘warm Caribbean Sea. Those islands ere flat with no large rivers and very few lakes. Soils on limestone rock lack depth and are mostly infertile. Some of the limestone islands like Barbados are raised high above sed level. Many smail ones, as those found in the Bahamas, are just at sea level. There is no great veriety of scenery in limestone islands. W. — BOLITIEAL CARIBBEAN 3 Politically there is very little coordination within the region (except CARICOM and French Department). Three kinds of governmental systems exist: indepeadent states, associated states and colonial dependencies. Several of the former colonial powers still possess territories in the Caribbean or have very close relations with them. Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guyana are so called “de-partemeniés d’outre-rer” and thus are part of France’s sovereign tersitory.and patt of the E.U.; Anguilla, B.Virgin Islands, Caynian Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos are still British crown colonies; Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Saingyditen and St Eustatius are dependencies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Puerto Rico is associated with the USA. In terms of political arrangements, Cubs has a contumimiot systean, Puerto Rico is ‘annexed to the USA, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago are repulblies. The rest of the once British Wi. still hold to the British traditional form of government, based on the Westminster coropited ty EBeclted BOSegg Woitrhall model, By and erg the Cutten wich post colonia domosztic taion with a few exceptions of Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti. a ae |} tatepandent Ststes Associated States d Dependencies a srespited Wy ERectlord LOOE2. EUPRACIERISHIES OF SDENMTY SGEETY A Society is the largest unit ar goaup to which an individual befongs, To the fayman society is usually understood to mean a collection of persons, living in the same geographical area with which one fecls a sonse of belonging (similar cultural background and who live in a specific geographical area.) The limits of the state (be it an island surrounded by water or mainland territory bordered by other states) often act as the geographic border of the society and members are usually citizens. To the soci logist who i involved in the systematic study of society, the important aspect in defining society is its group structuré/framework. Each society has a social structure ~ that is a network of interrelationships among ind idua roups. Soninfogists study these vari relationships in order te determine their effects on the overall functiog af the society. ‘Many elements determine the general social conditions of a society, These element: can be classified into five major areas (1) population characteristics (2) social behaviour (3 sociel institutions (4) eultural influences and (5) social chamge Population characteristics determine the general social patlers of a gtoup of people livi within a certain geographical area, There are two chief kinds of population studies, demography and funroan ecology. Demography is the systematic study of the size, composition and distribution of human poptiations. Demographers compite and analyse various studies, including people's age, birth and death rates, marriage rates, cthnic background and migration pattems. Many demographic studies explain the effects of soci conditions on the size'andl composition of a population, For exiimple, several studies of t 1900's foxind a direst correspondence betwicen the growth of science, medicine and indu: and a decline in the death rate, Sluman ecology on the other hand deals mainly with the structure of urban envisonments and their patiems of settlement and growth. Studies in b ccology expiain why and how cities and other communities grow and change. Sogis! Behaviour is studied extensively in the fictd of sociology. Sovial psychol usually work with small groups and observe attitude change, conformity, leadership mo and other forms of behaviour, They elso study social interaction which is the way mem) a group respond to one another and (o other groups. In addition, sociologists examine th results of conflicts between groups such as crime, social movement and war. In most so standard of bebaviour aie passed on from one generation to the next, Sociologists and eorspited yi E-Beeltord Zoe~ someones who his thidwledge of and appreciation for thé fine arts. But under the brosiler psyChologiats observe how picople adjust soir bshaviour ta confomn to theee stanilards (a process called saufalization). Sociniogists also study saatal roles (he Ametion or expected ‘pehaviour of an individual within 2 group) und status (a person's insportance or rants). ‘Secial Lnsilingiows are organized relationships among people which tend to perform « spectile fanctinn within the society. These inatitutions include business organizations, churefies; government, security forces, hospitals, family and schools. Each institution has a direct effect on the society in which it exists. For example, the attitudes and the goals of an entire tockety are influenced tty the transmission of learning and knowledge-in educational instititions. Some branches of sociology study the influence of one particular type of institution, These branches include the sociology of the family end the soviofogy of fave. Sociologists also study relationships arnong institutions. For example, sociologists try to discover whether distinct types of social classes and governments are associated with particular systems of economic prodiiction. 6 eypRAcVERisies oF suLTURE ‘Thie termi eultuie has been defined in many ways: ICi5 often tised in'd narrow sense ty — c.<5 ‘Teflet to ‘abtivitiés ii stich fields 'as Art, Literature and Music. In that sense a cultured person is c definition used by social scientists, culture includes all areas of life and therefdre every lnuman 3 Keni society has culture. Cultute inchides a society’s arts; béliets, ctistoms, institutions, how inventions, language, teclnology and values, Culture pioduces similar behaviour and thovight eafiong most people in a partictilat society. a People are not born with any knowleilge of n cultsire. They geverally’Lesirn a 4 caltuure by growing up in a particular séciety. ‘They leans mainly through the uae of langusge, a especially by talking and listening to other memibers of the society. They also learn by os waiching’and ‘ein ‘various behaviours in tis society. The proces b y which people Yeam —“{ shed with inembers ofa society ait a from one ohcration to othe next. Enculiaretion aa unifies poopile of @ society by providing them with common experiences. Social scientists identify certein aspects of culture os FOP COLTURE or POPULAR CULTURE. Pop calture includes such clements of « society's arts and enteriaiiunient as television, radio, recordings, ndvertising, sports, hobbies, fads asd fashions, compited Wy EBwhisnd UIE 7‘There are eeveral important characieristics of culture. The main ones are (1) a cultu satisfies human needs in a perticular way (2) a cultuas is enquired through leoming (3). “galture is bused on the use of symbols: (4).2 culture consists of individu! treits and group: traits called patterns. All cultures serve to kneet due basic meeds shared by human beings. For exemple, every culture'has methods of obtaining food and shelter, Every cultwse also has family relationships, economic and governmental systems, religious practices and forms of attistic expression: fn oulture shepes the way ils members satisfy lumen needs, Human beings _have to eat but their culture teaches them what, when and how to eat: E.g. many British people eat smoked fish for breakfast but many Americans psefer cold cereals, In the Mid ‘Westem US, people generally eat dinner ut 5/6 p.in-but most Spaniards dine et 10 p.n., mt ‘Turks prefer strong coffee with grounds (dregs) eft in the eup, but most Australians filter © ‘he grounds for a weaker brew. Many Japanese eat their meals from low tables while sitting ‘on mats on the floor. Carsadians usually sit on chairs at higher tables. alts is sequzed through termi pot bough, bila ibevitinee. Thala. 00 person whe-is born with a.culture, Children take on the eulture in which they are raised {tough enculturation (Children Jeam much of their culture through imsitatiom and exporter They also acquire culture through ahasryation, paying attention to what goes on around th. and seeing exavaples of what their society considers right and wrong, Children may also absorb certain aspects of culture unconsciously. For example, Arabs tend to stand closer together when speaking to one another than most Europeans do. No one instructs thera to @ s0, but they leam the behaviour as pant of their culture. Children also learn their culture by ‘being told wht to de. For example, » parent tells p son/daughter, “say good morning,” “the you" ‘don’t talk to strangers’, Individual members of a particular culture also. share many. memories, beliefs, values, expoctstions and ways of thinking. In fact, most cultural lemming, results from yerbal comnyunication, Culture is peased from generation to generation chiefly through language. a7 Cultural Tearing is based an the ability to ese ayanbo's, A symbol is something that stands for something clse, The most important types of syrmbols ai® the words of « language “Thete is id Chvious or necessary connection betwoen a symbol and what it stands for, The English word dog is a symbol for « specific eaimal.that barks. But other cultures have 2, different word thet stands for the same animel mbwe (Swabil), pemo (Spanish) dawg (Jamaican), There are many other kinds of symbols besides the words in a language, A flag, esonpiled by EBeckiond SORE~ for example, stands for a country. In China, white is a colour of mourning while in western societies itis black. All societies use symbols to create and maintain culture, ets pes seis) zabols to creme and Cultures are made up of individual elements called cutsuval tr . A. group of related waits or elements is a cultural naitern. Cultural traits may be divided into materinl ewtoure ormommatertal culture, Material culture consists of ull the tangible things that are made by ‘The members of a society. It includes such objects as (architectural styles) buildings, jewellery, machines, cui ine, forms of technotogy, economic organization, paintings and artistic creations. Nonmaterial culture refers to a society's norms, beliefs, superstitions and values that guide their behaviour. A handshake, a marriage ceremony and a system of justice ‘are examples of fonmaterial culture. Cultural patterns may include numerous traits (both material and non material). The pattern for agriculture for example includes the time when crops are harvested (nonmatetial) the methods (nonmaterial) and machines (material) used in harvesting and the structures for storing the crops (material). ‘Most traits that make up a cultural pattern aré connected to one another. [f one custom, institution or vatue, that heips to form a cultural pattem, changes other parts of the pattern wif! probably change too. For example until the 1950°s the career pattern for most women in ‘western societies was to work full time as home mskers and mothers. By the late 1900's the pattem was for most women to get jobs outside the home. As part of the new pattern, attitudes about marriage, family and children also changed. The new pattern includes marriage at a later age than ever before, a dependence on alternative child care systems and more frequent divorce. VOS BOYNDAMES OF CULTURE. Every husnan society has # culture. People who yrow up in the same nation can be said to share a national culture, But they may be part of other societies within the nation that have separate cnltural traditions, Social scientists : ometimes use the term SUBCULTURE to describe variations within a culture. Social groups often develop some cultural pattems of their own that set them apart from the larger society of which they are a part. Subcultures may develop in businesses, ethnic groups, occupational groups, regional groups, religious groups and other groups within « larger culture e.g. Maroons in Jamaica, Mony cultural traits and patterns are limited to 9 particular culture but many others are common to more than one cufture. For example, culture: s in the same part of the world often have similar patterns, A geographical region in which two or more cultures share culcarel traits and patterns is called a CULTURAL AREA, Northom Europe is an example of e encopitd by EBackiord E905 9culture area. Some cultural traits have spread throughout the world. For example some clothing, music, sports and industrial processes ate the same in many areas of the world, Cultural traditions that extend beyond national boundaries forrn what is called INTERNATIONAL CULTURE, For example, countries that share an international cultur include Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their common cult traditions include the English Language and a heritage of British founders. + AE OH te cant wet Noes Multicultsralism/Pluriliaa:. Some societies have traditionally been associated wit single culture (Pacific Islands) while other societies are taulticultural societies (USA) because they include many distinct cultures. A multicultural society supports the view that many distinct cultures are good and desirable and so they encourage such diversity. Thus i ‘the United States, millions of people speak both English and the language of their culture. They eat both American food (apple pie, hamburger) as well as their ethnic food. They celebrate both national holidays (4% July and Thankspiving) and their ethnic holidays, Far example, many Mexicans Americans calebrate Mexican Independence day (16" Sept). Jn Chinese communities across the country, parades and other festivities mark the Chinese Nev Year, \uralism succeeds best in a society that has many different ethnie groups and politicll system that promotes freedom of expression and awareness and understanding of cultural differences. Ethnic groups can bring Variety and richness to a society by introducins theie own ideas and customs, A shared cultural background makes people fee! more comfortable with others from their own culture. 7 Many people initially may feel confused and uncasy when they deal with people of another culture. ‘The discomfort that people often feel when they have contact with an unfemnitiar culture is called CULTURE SHOCK. Cultural shock usually passes if a person stays in a new culture Tong enough to understand it and get used to its ways, People of one culture who move to a country where anoiber culture dominetes may give up their old ways and become part of the dominant culture, ‘The process by which they do this is called ASSIMILATION, Through assimilation, a minority group eventually disappears bocause i members lose the cultural characteristies thet set them apart. In.a multicultural society ‘however assimilation does not always accut. However, ethnic geoups which keep their own values and traditions can also threaten national unity. In many parts of the world exseried by EBeatind %08- neighbouring ethnic groups dislike and distrust one another. In some cases, those fe! have even ted to war (Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq). tings Many people in all cultures think that their own culture is right, proper and moral. They tend to thoir own cultural standards and values to judge the behaviours and beliefs of people from different cul(ures, Thay regent the behaviour and beliefs of people from other cultures as strange or savage. This attitude is called ETHNOCENTRISM, Etknacentzism is armful if carried to extremes, It may couse prejudice, automatic rejection of ideas ftomt other cultures and even persecution of other groups. The opposite view of ethnocentrism is calted CULTURAL RELATIVISM. lk contends that no culture should be judged by the standard of another. This view can also present problems if eaisied to extremes, An extreme cultural relativist would say there is no such thing #s 4 universal morality. An extreme cultural relativist would argue that the rules of alf cultures deserve equal respect, even rules that allow such practices as cannibalism and torture. But many social scientists would reply that certain values are common to all societies — a prohibition against incest, and support for marriage, They would argue that international standards of justice and morality should not be ignored. Culture is not static; it changes with time and events although all parts of a culture do not change at the same time. For example scionce and technology may sometime change so. rapidly that they lessen the importance of customns, ideas and other nonraaterial parts of a culture, At other times choriges in ideas and social systems mnay occur before changes in technology. Thé failure of certain parts of @ culture to keep up with other, related parts is referred to us cultural Ing. A number of factors may cause a culture to chonge. The two main ‘ones are (1) contact with other cultures and (2) invention, No society is so isolated that it dors not come in contact with other societies. When contact occurs, societies borfow cultural (caits from one another, As 2 result, cultural traits and patterns tend to spread from the society in which they originated. This spreading process is ‘called DIFFUSION. Diffusion can occur without firsthand contact between cultures. Products or pattems may move from A to C through B without any contact between A and C. ‘Today diffusion is sapid and widespread because many cultures of the world are linked. through advanced means of transportation and communication, ‘When two cuftures have continuous firsthand cantact with each other, the exchange of cultural teits is colied ACCULTURATION, Acculturation has often occurred viten one culture has colonized ot conquered another or as a tesult of trade, In addition to adopting each othes’s traits, the two cultures may blend traits..c.g. If the people of the cultures speak y EBsckiord COT 11different languages they may develop a mixed language called pidgin (patois) in order to communicate. The cultures may also exchange or blend such traits as clothing, dances, rausic recipes or tools. Through acculturation parts of the culture of one or both groups change, but the groups remain distinct. In this way accultur. 19 differs from assimilation. Through sssimilation one group becomes part of another group and loses its separate identity. ‘Trasculturation is the process whereby two cultures meet and mix and something with nev elements and forms emerge (syncretism) e.g. religion shango, myal, uming Restafasianism, voodoo, are syncretic (African and European elements) INVENTION is the creation of a new device, process or product. Inventions provid new solution to an old or new problem. Without inventions, human beings would be at the mercy of the climate and the land. Inventions have given people much control over their environment and enabled thems to lead easier lives. Inventions have led to many changes in a culture. The invention of agriculture, for exemple, made it possible for people to settle in fan villages, their values and social organization changed as importance is placed on using the Jand to rear animals and to produce crops. They began to build permanent housing. They developed systems of irrigation and a number of tools. The invention of spinning and weavit machines and an improved steam engine in the 1700's produced another great change n the way people lived (industrial Revolution). These inventions led to the opening of factories. Many people who had worked at home in rural areas flocked to the cities to work in the new factories, As cities became more crowded, new kinds of political, economic and social systems developed. The inveation of the electronic computer in the mid 1900’s has had enormous impact, It has brought for teaching changes in communication, education, entertainment and numerous other areas of modern life. Coltural Infinences help to unify a society and regulate its social life. These influences also give people a common base of communication and understanding. The cultur of a society includes its arts, customs, language, knowledge, and religions beliefs. Sociologists study the effect of each of these elements on socia! conditions and behaviour. For example religious beliefs may determine the moral code of a saciety. Sociological studies focus on the way this code regulates social behaviour artd the role the code plays in the establishment of a society's laws, compiled Gy EBachiord Bows |Sostal Chamge is any significant elteration in the social conditions and pattems of behaviour in a society c.g. replacement of an elected president by.x-dictetor (these. would be # chanige in the siructure of government) Such # chesige may be caused by fashions, inventions, revolutions wars or other ovents and activities . Technological developments have ted to many social changes during the 1900°s.-A mumber of sociological studies have conceatrated on thie changes in education, social values and sottlentent pattems that occur in newly industrialised ‘astions. ‘There are four main types.of eociat change: ‘change in the number and variety of positions end soles + change in obligation or duties attached to pesitions = now ways of organizing social activities = the redistribution of facilities and rewards such as power, education Changes can take pace gradually or suddenly and éan result from deliberate planaing as west 4s it could be unintentionally. These changes can be beneficial to some as well as punitive to others and ns.such i is inevitable that there will be resistance-to some changes To a large degree, culture determines how members of a society think and feel; it directs their actions and defines their outlook on life: Members of.sociaty usually take their culture for granted. It has become. co much a part of them that they ere often unaware of its existence. Culture defines accepted ways of bchaving for members of @ particular society ‘Such definitions vary from society to society. This, can lend to considemble misunderstanding between members of different societies. Every society hes certain common problems to desl with and the solutions 0 them are culturally determined; they vary trom society to society. ‘The solution offered in One society may:be indefensible in another e.g. culture of Islamic countries to theft as compared to ours. wt : Every culture contains a large number of guidelines that direct conduct in particular situations: Such guidelines are imown us norms. 4 moran is a specific guide to one’s action which defines acceptable and approprisic behaviour in « particular situstion ¢.g.nornis goveming dress code on what to wear for formal/informel functions, funsial; wedding, Nerms are enforced by positive and negative sanctions i.e. rewards and punishments. Senctions can be informal such as 2 disapproving or approving glance or formal auch es a reward or a fine. by an official body. Certain norms are formalized by translation into taws which are enforced by official sanctions ¢.g. streaker appearing, nude in public, ersapiled by EBuatiord GOVE 13\ | ‘Unlike wonns, which provide specific directives for conduct, values provide more general guidelines. A.valur is a belief thet something is good and desirable. It defines what is important, worthwhile and worth sttiving for. Our values represent how strongly we feel about certain qualities. Our culfurs! value is really how we tank the importance of ihese qualities within our culture. e.g. hospitality, kinship support, informality, family as a support systeny oteIt has become accepted that individual achievement and materialism are major values in western industriel societies. Thus an individusl belioves it is important and desirable 10 come top of the class, to win e save or reach the top of their choses profession. Like norms, valuss can be seen as an expression of a single value~ the value placed on Luwnan life in westem society is expressed in terms of the following worms: hygiene in the home; rules and regulations dealing with transport. Sociologists maintain that shared norms aad values are cesential for the operation of human soviety. Unless. some nonns are shared members of society would be unsble to cooperate with of even comprehend the bunsviour of others. Similar arguments apply to values. Without shared velues, members of society would be unlikely to coopers and work together. Thus an ordered and stable society requires shared norms end values. - Within the Caribbean theve cultural values are manifested in behaviour typical of our egion. These inchutie: achievement; material success, migration, gender roles, celebrations, insulesity/integration, hospitality/fiendliness, foreign tastes/products, work ethic, food, race/colour-and kinship/ family ties. ‘All members of socicty occupy a number of social positions known es aémtuaes, in society an individual may have soveral statuses ~ occupational, family, gender: Statuses are culturally defined despite the fact that they may be based on biological foctons such ws sox. Some statuses are relatively fixednaeribed and there is little an individual can do to change their assignment to a particulsr socis! position — race, geavles, aristocratic tithes. Statuses that are not fixed by inheritance, biological choracteristics or other factors over which the individual fas no control are known as achieved stotanes, All achioved slots isentered as a result of deliberate action or choice e.g. marital status and occupational status. Each status in society is agsompenied by.« eamber of norms thet defines how en individual occupying a particular status is expected to act. This group of nosms is known as role. Social roles regulate and osgastixve behaviour. In particular they provide eacans for accomplishing certain tasks. atoopiled by BBerkgerd BOS 14t Crenke rates Geto ss ian et dk ate Aes eAbvoa dion tes Looaae’ | es CUAEACTEMEIES OF epeNeBEpE sogisry ANG autreRs. eae PR Cake F pas A iversenies Canute where the eT In exder to define Caribbean culture one must bese in mind the population make up of territory and its culture. Within the region there are some cultural differences. In most i 1 particnlor culture whtick is indigenous to an island/country diffuses 10 other Caribbean countries. Furthermore Caribbean countries acculturate each other’s culture which gives tise to a mixed culture, Within cach culture there are some defining characteristics which are similar to many countries, This is due to the shared historical experiences as well as the environmental factors as exemplified within the Greater Amilles, These include their ‘discovery’ by Columbus and the later arrival of the French and English, the destruction of their aboriginal societies, slaveiy, indentureship and then the struggle for independence. Within this meiee was the introduction of European agricultural capitalism based on suger cane cultivation, African Iabour and the plantation system. Within the plantation system developed an insular social - structure in which there was sharply differentiated access to land, wealth and political power and the use of physical differences as status markers. These experiences have effectively created malti racial societies with mixed culture and a social stratification based on race, ‘education and wealth. ot: ‘There are of course similarities as there are differences. Jamaica is the only one in the __-BrOup (Grester Antilles) that had British colonization and, similar to Heit, a predominantly black population in excess of 90%. Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico were Spanish colonies. Spanish is their primary language and they have a more balanced racial mix between blacks and European descendants. All these territories have dialects due to racial mixes and the need to communicate. Cuba is the only communist territory in the region and the only one where the strong religious heritage is not encouraged. The Spanish speaking territories have tended to embrace Roman Catholicism while in the British dominated territories the Church of England (Anglican) and to a lesser extent Methodists have had influence. ft was the Baptist Jameica that the slaves wore able to identify with mostly and this attraction later led to the development of the evangelical movement. "| avespiled dy EBesiiondIn all these territories, food types are eomewtt different as a result of racial mix an* colonial experience. While some types of foods were here before the Tainos, they and other etinic groups who came, brought with them difterent types of food. So, what we eat today ir dicks territories ave us xenult of thin cultural evolution: Ouly he, Afticans by large. were tot able te bring food with them due to their mods of travel thraugh the Middie Passage, They however found soms common slaples that they were used to and developed new menu over ‘ine with the new foods to which they were introduced, Jn the Carjbbean we like to cat and driv and have x good time. In Jamaica for exemple on Sundays we eat tice and peas and chicken. We also enjoy cuttied goat, boiled vensnss, rice and dumplings as well as the ational dish (ecker and salfish intraduged as foo for slaves). Being istands, these countries continue to have.a vibrant fishing industry ond oy sta food is a common item ou menus in these territories. The. Tainos brought cassava, com, possibly pineapple and swect potato, various beans and water eress. They glso brought hot peppers, chocolate, sweet basil, pinento and annatio, tamato, sweet peppes, peannis and pear. ‘The Ametindians had cultivated most of these in South Amecica and so they brought them along. The Spaniards beought cattle, pigs, chickens, plantain and benanas, sugar cane avd citrus (lemons, oranges, and limes). They also introduced esoveitch fist, The English brought the making of buns, cheese, the use of ham, bacon, sausages, some wines, ale, stout ‘wv beer. They developed the making of ram. The, English alsa intsoduced imported whens flour, salt fish salt beef and salt pork from Canada and USA. Within the LESSER ANTILLES islands like Barbados and Antigua haye similar racial mixes os Jamaica and other British colonies. The past and present association of Coribboan territories with diSfereet inptropolitan powers are clearly important for cousperative analysis. Present effects of previous association sule out the teeatsext spkely in sonms of the contemporary distribution of tertitories emong Byitish Americans, French or Dutch. American ‘St Thomas stil reveals the influences of its former masters, the Danes, Within the British, Caribbean istands such as Trinided, Grenada, Dominica and St, Lucia differ as a.group from certain ather teesitories by their continuing affitistion to, Catholic wadition a pattern laid down in catlier days by French or Spanish masters. The St, Leeian folks probebly have more in common lingnistically with Prenet: cobunies in terms of their presont associstion with metropolitan powers, We mpst therfore keep in anind present cultural verietiqns and continyllies within end across these divisions which reflect historitel factors of various kinds. Withic the British colonies te. main corwpated tg Elcctiosd O05 1677 ~~ distinction teflects differences of racial populetion cutive and composition, Protestant or Catholic affitistion; insillarity or its opposite. Together-with the Caribbean colonies af other nations, these British territories share a multiracial composition, (from which Amerindian elements ore Intgely absent) dependence on agriculture, low:levels of urbanization and low _ Aitoan ratios. On thé maiutond Ceorridoties such as Guyana; these is 2 strong Bast indian population (51% ywhich co-nxists alangside a strong black population( 45%), The Bast Indians have been particularly nated for their insular culture and do exert influences.on these gocieties. The Chinese ate perticularly noted, in the countries thet they went as indentured servants for their industriousness in establishing small groceries and: supermarkets after their pericd of indentureship. They too have tended to have an insular culture and have emiined distinct ethnic groups in the societies that they live. Belize and Suriname have a mote significant. Amerindian element in their population and so blacks are not dominant. They represent large influx of indentured labour of Europeans and Asians: So here again the culture will be subject to cthnic cultures and sub-cultures. ‘Music ond cultural expressions conti © to be very popular in the Caribbean frotin folle ‘music, hymns, reggas nd ‘calypso to soul and salse, We ein therefore conclude that the Coribboan is not 2 homogencous culture but 2 nisl or diverse culture, based on ethaic origin and Caribbean historical process! Within this context erasure and retention ace prevaileut moreso among Asticens than any other ethnic group. The Caribbean continues to display an inierplay of small scale agriculture und peasantry with plantation like structure. White there has been atlemp at diversification the Casibhean is still predominantly agriculturally based, Hence the atsinde of the WTO ruling recently has greatly affected the future of small Caribbean Islands. Jn all of this hoviever thare have been exceptions. Trinidad has developed its pourolevm industry ay this has aided its economic growth and consequently inerexsed (/ expenditures on social services such as health and education, Common to all Carihiweun testitories have boom the effect of the media and trade Tinks with other countries especially USA. Ia addition the Caribbean countries hsve fsitly buoyant tourist tada which bes further impacted on the way of life of the people of the region. This ws taken the fen of dress, language, business culture, music, food edvoation, retigion, media technology and even politi Puerto Rico is an snricx-siate of the USA so it hns hers dimectly influenced by the US culture. The Bahamas on the other bund uses the US dollar es its second currency and with litle egriowlture, itseconomy is bassd prodominently on tourism and eseapéteed dy E.Baskyond ”offthore battking. Meat Bahamian shop in the USA snd while there is retention of culynre in terms of food und social structures the society reflects strong US influence on their present culture, ‘The legacy-of the historical processeé that the region has undergone is more pronbunced in those territories where there has been selatively low economic growth in roceft years. Examples of this situation can be found in Jamaice, Haiti and Guyana, All of these territories have # heavy dependences en agriculture and reflect a degree of individuslization hishher society ©.y. Jaminica, Antigua ete: In faainland tervitoriés the presesice of fanguage erowps in’ sighhouiing countries serves to reinforce and delimit the borders of these societie’s. ‘There is the movemeiit to tecognist the wider Caribbeati ad thie limit of Calibbean eae CARICOM ties e a GL STREET TION ‘This réfers to a sysiom whereby society ranks categories of people ina hierarchy of 3€5 (tifiper, middle and lower clas) babed ionritsiica dr # combination such as religion; colour, race, wealth, age, uéx, occupations, education, Innguage, googiapliical ated, mesnbership in social club, It roprestite thy sivueduined inequality Chardclérized by groups of people with differemtill'ncceas to thie rewards of cackiay becsiuse of their felative position in the social hicrnfchy: M iankis somte people as thove deserving of favier, wealth and prestige than otheis and as iuch they are tredted differently déperidinig on Where their social position S168 in the overall hieraschy. ‘The sbuiroed Of the Stratification in the Caribhiehn inchide ree, age, ethmbetyy, gomdlen, sex, The categorizing by race is a sociel phenomenon mther than a biological ome: It is society than categorizes poaple ikito caces busdd on phYsiadil cbvecteristics. Buh Population known and ideotified on the basis of theit common language, nationality, ~ * * stepated by Eiechiord WS 19 refiere'to a~~ culture. Gonder stratification refers to those differences between men and women that have bbeea eoquited-or learned. and: hence (o the different roles and positions assigned to males end fernies ima sooitty - hairstyle, clothing fomily ant occupational roles, Across society Wome ‘have been systematically denied certain tights and opportunities based on assumptions regarding tleir shilities: Age stmtiGicution refersto the ways ia which people aie trested difserently depending on their ages: This stratification is concemed with the attitudes and Uohaviour werassoviate-with age sind to:the different goles and ststuses we assign to people ’\ depending upaa thie ages, ~ Within the Caribbean society, stretification is as a result of the plantation systent vwitich existed in the West Indies during the period of slavery. The society. was rigidly stratified by rece.end-colour; dinectly. comelated with occupatinyal status without any kind of social mobility. White planters and ediinistrators stood at the top with slaves firmly at the bottom. In between these two ranks'were the skilled whites: Emerging from among the black, ‘was. recial and cultural halfceste (coloured). This group was more privileged than pure blacks and frequently made up the staff of house servants: Slavery yas-a closed system of socials stratification because one.could not change the besis or the category, that made one a slave- rece (ascribed status) ~ After. eraancipation, eduentiog opened ppportunities for ex-slayes but this only servec 0 expand runks of the middle group rather than effect any change in the general sociel structure. As 2 result social mobility depended on how successful blacks were to assimilating ‘the culture of the whites, This set the stage in the process- whereby, hiscl: people. sought social mobitity by aspiring to a European way of life: education, manners of dress and speech, reaidence, religious belicf and practices, sovial vaines and attitudes end general lifestyle. This served to distinguish blacks who had “made it’ from those who had not, ‘Today traces of strmtificstion by eelows and rece can still be found.c.p. white persons can predictably be expected,to be in the upper,classes of society. Stemming from, miscegenation; a continuum of colour exists in, Casibbean societies, As a result of the Plantation lepscy Light or desk skin colour may proye to,be a help of hindrayce jn gaining economic and other opportunities as some of these prejudice still make up part of the cultural valyes of Coribbean people, Alop prominent is the matter of wealthy/enmnay.."The classes with {he surplus mongy tend to be the deacendants of whites end coloureds who have had lliances with whites or in the case of Trinidad. where the East Indians have recessed money through commited Cy EReokgred UWHOT 2/ hiring ond firing practices to prevent certain social groups fam accessing social mobility. fiugol living, fexming und busit Syrians and Lebanese. genes of their a 3 simitarly aro the Chinese and the Another factor in contempotaty atvatification is:friendship end tansily networks (oin't who you kmow but wito knows you). Here elites act as gatekeepers in utilizing selective Education has been the basis for new class formation to combat legacy of plantation saciety. ‘Today sane racial and ethnic groups are fonnd in oll strata of society langely becouse of the toccatio systems brought about by education (meritocracy/intelligentsia). Through ducation members of society can get access to elitist sqcial clubs as well aa professional clubs. Of course if yon tack education then you ate confined to menial jobs/blue collar. In the Caribbean the traditional practice figs been for affluent males to marty lighter skinned females. This has Jed 1 upward social mobility for fermates. The offypring of such unions are expected to access even higher levels of the social simiz because of the combination of fight skin and inherited wealth. Mobility of blacks and the browns were generally through scorvings to white foveigner. Another form of mobility was through the excapatiomel ladder. Modemisation of ~ cobnomy has altered stratification system snd created modem enclaves thus creating new social classes anit a changed stratification system; high and low wage sectors; increased oppostunities for white collar and professional occupations, Status is sherefore now. based on fimeoune earning ability rather than on middle class acculturation (high prestige and high ‘income as well as low income and low prestige white collar class). Mobility between the two was boued on varying combination (education, network, skin colour), Indigenous and former exclusively white upper classes no longer dominate the upper leyer of society. Material Jnftucnoe and income are the main determinants in contemporary Caribbean not withstanding the fet thal race, colour and educetion and training stl affect Fife changes of individuals. sone ORLY « Socisi Mobility refers to the ability of e given individual/group to move up the social strate. Structural mobility refers to factors at the societal level thet affect mobility rates. Social mobility may be either relative (entire occupational structure is upgraded such thie only content of work changes not relative position in hierarchy) or absolute (son’s edusation, pal prestige and incanve: excoads that of his Cativcr) ccsapited by EBeot(erd BOE 21‘THE CLASS SYSTEM. The Kelling Class © land owning class (plantocrasy) The working class - the capitalist: owners of the means © Hire fou: wage of production; own lange acreage-of © Work specifio hours Iand : © “Nocually wotk fie capitalist.” © membées of exclusive private ‘organisation ‘clubs; expansive houses on igh > © Member ofanion ‘altinodies © Skilled atid unskilled workers ©” shop abroad; elite schiools for’ Untélligennsia ‘children © “most iitelligent” chiss in’ society: The Middle Class theorists, writers on politics and © Upper (ptofessionialsy economy ©” Midate ( tetictiers, auitée) * © “Usiuslly viniversity’ professors ° Borntally advisors to govertitiént “Lower (police, military) ° vw GYRE ATION iy eaication gotirally rofers +6 the miaieores and sywéreite forms which ocour in society Sok (race, religion, Language, food ete) Hybridization began with the era of ‘discovery’ when © eo ‘European end Amerindian resulted in the creation of the Méstizo. This later became } enlvetiched in plantation society with the Burdpean and Afsican producing the mulatto or coloured). A “pignneintocracy’ evolved whicre continuum of colour exhibited by individuals was deeply analysed ond discussed. ft becaase a norm to describe someone using their colour as & major descriptor. It also refer to the intermanying (miecegenation) between the reces and = the production of the off springs from that union eg, mestize, mulatto, mustifino, dougla, gl Dg, dundroon ( Caivsizian grandparents}, Octorooa (7 gréat grandparents who are Caiucasinn) 2°) and Sainbo (full btoaded African): Tiaanigh tiybridization momibits of Society cen gain social z snobility based on factors such a3 inherited weatith, Uphier shade complixion, ownership of property, rieinibership in social chibs. cempiled ty ECkieekjurd BOS 22& EQUAL CROKUEE/RETENNOM /BEMSWINE © Loss of cultural practices (eultursl erasmre) occur as a result of tension/conflict betwoen traditional way of doing things atl the moder or progressive way. The traditional ‘way when compared to madem way seems tedundant, laborious and time consuming ¢.g. cottage craft pieces versus mass production in factory; story telling vs. videos and electronic games. ‘Erasure occurs because traditional ways do net conform to mordern/progreasive/western lifestyle. Erasure also occurs because traditional ciltural values are not being tenght to ‘younger gensretion and as older folks die so do the practices with them (sometimes too. younger generation are not interested in learning traditional folk forms). Cultural diffusion or the meeting of a dominant cultire can also wipe out a more primitive culture (contact of Ewogeans with indigenous population in thé region; enslavement of Africans by Europeans). Catastrophic events can also wipe out the population of an ores and with it culture (wars, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, tsunamis etc) Efforts to salvage parts of our past by fashioning new prestices based on the old are seferred to as culémral remewal. This stems from the feeling that there ismauch value to be Teamed from some of the practices we have ignored and/or allowed to be almost wiped out. People are meking more effort to preserve cultural heritage while others are becoming more aware of their cultural legacy. For others, it is in response to an identity crisis of wiso ane we. Schools and government have been getting into the act by teaching cultural heritage as well as ‘passing legislation to enforce compliance with renewed interest ( Emancipation day in Jamaica). In on effat to keep traditional practices alive, there hes been much eultarnl nesemttom, “This may be as 0 result of deliberate desise to do so ns well es the need by some minority group to keep their senge-af identity: Brontt groups any fookaliensted within banger comraunity arid so they deliberately work at preserving their traditions. Some governments in ethnically diverse countries also try to. give each group nesional prominsnes so.their ‘cadlitional folk vaya end practices may be celsbrated nationally, Vos.others, retention of.the traditional yxeotices is for econemig rovlyer tha cultural gain (tonrisen packages}. Retention has occured in many cases becouse of thelr relavumve to the existence of the society, np-better way has been discovered ta replace the existing ane, older members are indociinating younger members, to show sense of belonging witl cldgas/authavity within the geoup. n society as well as fasced practice by cercpiled dy CReck(eod LOT 23WET OF wISTeteh. PREeTeSES f ay Ai MIGRATIONS Pre Columbian ee PRERAUORY IIVENEND AND SEVIEKENT DITTERVE ‘The pre-Columbian migraiory period is believed to otiginiaté from NE Asia across Boring ee ee ee eee ‘Fiom Soilth Améries (Venezuela aiid Guiatus) the Kalinagos and Tainos moved asithew ards de theought the Lesser Antilles and up to the Giester Antilles. Presited ke TReawtond eat |©. fasily — village settlements along tives valleys, coastal areas. © Sisial organization: wronien did forming, (tei ee bora) sem id iting and *fiching,Abeie sbcley-ves hierarchicsh and pscifie © Goverment independent Argurak lod by cacique; hereditary also high priest end judge, ler who mliayriog, © Reign aided apiittiont, ‘casique. wes Ihigh priest, believed in coyaba 2%, Sosttoms: Astned forehead of babies, singing. dancing iohacce smote, playing tistos, Eo: toefood, ¥egetables; pipper, pepper” * 1 sau Cassava, (bemmy mixing) egowti, jet. . ©. Atshitecums vecngulor Houses, Using, indigenous mein (etch, poles) © Techinalagy: killed in onnstructing dugout cance, scné foots, sioérs, bowl din vive, rast baskets, Mtramocks * 2). Bremiog mahode: evbsiatenoe forming, nah gid barat, pritntive tools MMigimtory movensent during the Cole with the sim of finding the ‘Indi Keaignasa © family —vilinge settlement, "2° Sciet anganizaiton: wicimin dia tig, view id anti i fithing, Wet socket wes ssiltaritic, © Sveanement: Sermily independent, justice cared cut om a pera! lve, ivi tender supetvised farming snd fiching, anstvcrable 10 ~saitbbui © Religion: tpirituatisti, spstial hoys tesined es ‘Pins, ese pervon hed their owe mpahoys pie . *,Sonms singing, desing aching ebro, Arcee: spotengdar houses indigenous materinl (hatch and pole) > “Technology: skilled in constructing dugout, © “effective fisibig methionas period was weateramd across the Atlantic ss" Bad getting its riches by wade ox conquest. Columbus wes supported by the Spanish royal fumily who was hoping to get icles from he orient before her rivals speend Catholicism and for personel ond weticaal glorification. Colwctus did reoch the Amvetinas because of his knowledge of navigation, winds and curren. He pioasered the todo winds to and from Caribbean, and in so doing bocame the first Enropesn to visit the, regions an parts of the Central America . He was the first to 2¢t up permanent contact between, Europe and Ceyibbeon although he wes a poor colonize and wdministretor. exrepiled Uy EBeolpend BOR 25