Aura Whittier

U6 Business
Caribbean Studies

History Rotation Essay

Describe the MAJOR migrations into the Caribbean that greatly impacted society and
culture. 20 marks.

The Caribbean has experienced immigration from several peoples across its history. Immigration
is referred to the movement of people from one geographical area into another. There are four
major groups of immigrants who have made a significant impact in our society and helped to
develop our culture.
The Indigenous- the Tainos and the Kalinagos are the first group of people who migrated to the
Caribbean. This was approximately half a million people who came between the years 1300 to
1450. The Tainos occupied the Greater Antilles and used large spaces of land for agriculture.
Kalinagos occupied the Lesser Antilles and were hunters and warriors. For many years these
people were the only ones who lived in the Caribbean, until the next group, the Europeans, came.
Unfortunately, the Indigenous are our first example of cultural erasure through decimation and
genocide by the Europeans. Present society has had few attempts at Cultural Renewal, such as
the First People’s Holiday in Trinidad and Tobago. While these people have been wiped out,
they remain an important part of our history and society.
The Europeans are the second group of people who migrated to the Caribbean, namely the
British, French and Spanish. There were only one hundred thousand Europeans yet as colonizers,
they were dominant. They had advanced weaponry and wealth that allowed them to rule over all
other groups in the Caribbean. They are the first example of cultural retention as they forced
others to adopt their culture using violence and other indirect tactics. Many social institutions
idolize European ideals. For example, most top-performing denominational schools are of the
Christian faith, the majority of the population belongs to the Christian faith and their culture-
both music and dress is viewed as classy. At formal and professional events, European style
music and clothing is considered appropriate and acceptable. The Nuclear family is the preferred
type. Even our politics is mimicked from the European systems. For example, Trinidad and
Tobago uses the Privy Council in England as their final court of appeal, not the Caribbean Court
of Justice and most Caribbean countries have adopted Catholic-centric laws such as illegalization
of abortion, homosexuality and protection. Hegemony and dominance of Europeans is still
relevant today and it shapes many of our social problems such as colorism (which rose out of the
plantation system of segregation and treatment based on color or the percentage of black).
The Africans are the third group of immigrants. They were brought as slaves to work on
plantations owned by the Europeans. Slavery existed in the 19th century for almost 400 years in
which Africans suffered under the rule of Europeans. They forced Africans to conform to their
Christian religion, they disallowed family ties and community and insisted that the African do
obey every command, regardless of nature. They are therefore our second example of cultural
erasure. The language, customs and religion of the Africans was erased by Europeans during
slavery. They used physical, psychological and legal means of controlling the Africans. Much
more successful attempts at Cultural Renewal are present for Africans as the majority of the
population of the Caribbean are of African descent (compared to the 0% for the Indigenous).
They are also responsible for our calypso, Soca, steelpan and many of our local dishes (callaloo,
pelau). During the Black Power Movement in the 1960s there was a resurgence of black identity
and pride. However, the inequality and maltreatment of Africans for such a long time has
significantly impacted our society and caused tension amongst these groups today.
The Indians are the last major group of immigrants. They were brought by the Europeans as
indentured laborers to work on the plantations after slavery was emancipated. Europeans wanted
more labor to work the plantations after slavery. The Indians went predominantly to Trinidad and
British Guiana from 1845 to 1917. Unlike the Africans, the Indians were considered to be people
and so were allowed to practice their religion and customs. They are the second example of
cultural renewal. They brought with them their religion (Hinduism and Islam), their festivals
(Phagwa, Divali, Hosey), their food (sawine, samosa, barfi) and dress (hijab, kurta, dhoti).
Unfortunately, the Indians also contributed to colorism in the Caribbean due to their beliefs
generated from the immobile social Caste System in India where color defined status. Although
the Europeans made indirect attempts to sabotage this, their culture remains and forms a
significant part of the Caribbean experience.
These four groups of people are the major immigrations into the Caribbean which have had
significant impacts on our religion, family structures, music, festivals, food and dress.