Handout #6

Manning’s School Evening Institute

Cultural Diversity of the Caribbean

The Caribbean may be described as a multi- cultural society. Over 70% of
Jamaica’s population is of African descent. However, the influence of other thnic
groups such as Amerindians, Africans, Europeans and Asians has been very
significant. A society cannot exist without a culture. Culture has given the
Caribbean society an identity. Culture is defined as th way of life of people within
a society. It includes their ideas, beliefs, customs, technology, art, language and
practices passed down from one generation to another. It is of great significance in
a globalised world that citizens understand and appreciate the cultural diversity of
the Caribbean. One of the great similarities we share in the Caribbean is the
common origin of most of our population and the common circumstance under
which we arrived.

There is a large, active Amerindian population in Guyana and Belize however, the
Amendians have had very little influence in Caribbean islands due to their
genocide by Europeans. The Europeans were in position of power and not only
practised their culture but attempted to impose it on all whom they controlled.
Africans came with little or no material culture but brought their memories and
traditions. Some aspects of traditional Asian family patterns were transferred to
Caribbean wholesale, as indentured immigrants from India and China brought their
traditions intact.

The practice of protecting and preserving our culture is everyone’s responsibility.

There are many organizations which are dedicated to the preservation of culture
througout the region. This shows recognition of the value or local culture, both to
its people and as a commodity which can be marketed and used in tourism.
Alomst every Caribbean country has street festivals from example Crop Over in
Barbados and Carnival in Trinidad. These stimulate creativity and celebration with
music, dance and spectacular costumes.

Mr. J. Williams JP. Manning’s School Evening Institute

There is no better example of the influence of Caribbean culture on a global scale
than Bob Marley and Jamaican dancehall culture. Reggae and dancehall are
identifiable and recognizable worldwide. The Caribbean has also been recognized
for many of its writers and authors. Derek Walcott and V.S. Naipaul, winners of
the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992 and 2001 respectively.

Cultural Practices
- The naming of a baby
- Courting of an intended partner
- Holding wakes before a funeral
- Celebration of cultural festivals- Carnival, Reggae Sumfest
- Speaking English, dialect and French patois
- No marriages between close relatives
- The use of herbal medicines
- Use of different styles of architecture
- Storytelling
- Performance of traditional roles in the family
- Religious practices- Sunday and Saturday worship

Organizations that promotes Caribbean Culture:

- Ministry of Tourism
- Educational institutions
- Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC)

Mr. J. Williams JP. Manning’s School Evening Institute