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    Caribbean Identity and Culture

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    waynettelove
    While identity in the Caribbean is influenced by factors like race, religion, history, politics, geography and language, there is no single "Caribbean identity" due to the region's diversity. Some argue it is more realistic to recognize multiple co-existing identities within societies and across the region. However, others believe it is reasonable to speak of a shared Caribbean identity based on common elements like a historical legacy of slavery and colonialism, similar cultural traditions, and a love of music, art and cricket. The idea of a Caribbean identity may also be more evident among Caribbean people living abroad than among those within the region.

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    Caribbean Identity and Culture

    Uploaded by

    waynettelove
    354 views10 pages
    While identity in the Caribbean is influenced by factors like race, religion, history, politics, geography and language, there is no single "Caribbean identity" due to the region's diversity. Some argue it is more realistic to recognize multiple co-existing identities within societies and across the region. However, others believe it is reasonable to speak of a shared Caribbean identity based on common elements like a historical legacy of slavery and colonialism, similar cultural traditions, and a love of music, art and cricket. The idea of a Caribbean identity may also be more evident among Caribbean people living abroad than among those within the region.

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    An in depth analysis of caribbean identity and its culture

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    While identity in the Caribbean is influenced by factors like race, religion, history, politics, geography and language, there is no single "Caribbean identity" due to the region's diversity. Some argue it is more realistic to recognize multiple co-existing identities within societies and across the region. However, others believe it is reasonable to speak of a shared Caribbean identity based on common elements like a historical legacy of slavery and colonialism, similar cultural traditions, and a love of music, art and cricket. The idea of a Caribbean identity may also be more evident among Caribbean people living abroad than among those within the region.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    354 views10 pages

    Caribbean Identity and Culture

    Uploaded by

    waynettelove
    While identity in the Caribbean is influenced by factors like race, religion, history, politics, geography and language, there is no single "Caribbean identity" due to the region's diversity. Some argue it is more realistic to recognize multiple co-existing identities within societies and across the region. However, others believe it is reasonable to speak of a shared Caribbean identity based on common elements like a historical legacy of slavery and colonialism, similar cultural traditions, and a love of music, art and cricket. The idea of a Caribbean identity may also be more evident among Caribbean people living abroad than among those within the region.

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    of 10

    CARIBBEAN IDENTITY AND

    CULTURE

    Defining Identity
    An identity may be defined as the
    individual characteristics, style or manner
    that is fundamental to a person and by
    which that person is recognised. Identity is
    influenced by personal choice but also by
    society through existing social and cultural
    situations.

    Factors influencing identity


    formation in the Caribbean
    Caribbean people organize themselves around
    various institutions. These include:
    Race and ethnicity identities may emerge
    based on particular racial/ethnic characteristics
    of individuals. These are often powerful
    identification points which can cut across
    geographical lines.
    Religion membership in particular religious
    structures also offers a strong basis for
    identification.

    History the experience of the Caribbean which


    includes slavery, indentureship and colonialism
    provide a united set of shared experiences for a
    large group of people and can be identified by
    their current opposition to the forces that shaped
    their lives.
    Politics many Caribbean people choose to
    identify themselves based on political
    allegiances. These are sometimes passed on,
    often without question from one generation to
    another.

    Geography this is one of the fundamental identity


    formation tools for Caribbean people. Many people often
    choose to define themselves in terms of the territory in
    which they were born. Even within various territories,
    one notes smaller divisions based on, for example,
    location.
    Linguistics the early history of the region reflects inputs
    of people from different parts of the world. This has
    resulted in a rich cultural mix. A consequence of this is a
    linguistic tradition of different languages, pidgins and
    creoles. These cut across racial, political and
    geographical boundaries and unite many based on an
    appreciation for common linguistic heritage.
    (anglophone, francophone and hispanic)

    IS THERE A CARIBBEAN IDENTIY?

    In light of the demographic and cultural diversity of


    the Caribbean and the range of factors that can
    impact on identity, it has been argued that there
    is no such thing as a single Caribbean Identity.
    This belief emerges from the reality of the
    differences that can be identified within the
    region
    Girvan (2001) states that it is fashionable to speak
    of a Caribbean identity , but it is more realistic
    to accept that there are many cultural identities
    co-existing within a society and more so in the
    region.

    Factors which give rise to the


    differences
    The colonial, cultural heritage of French,
    Spanish, Dutch and British Caribbean
    The physical nature of the archipelago
    Insularity and fragmentation
    Social stratification
    Ethnic separatism (pluralism)

    Commonalities
    It is reasonable to speak of a Caribbean identity
    on the grounds that there are key elements that
    define such identity.
    A common historical legacy of slavery,
    colonialism and now globalization
    A common inheritance of the norms and values
    of plantation society
    A common high regard for cricket
    A love for music, art and festival
    Similar family norms related to closeness,
    nurturing, hospitality

    Postscript
    One may find that there are many
    Caribbean identities which are highly
    defined within the Caribbean, but
    distinctions blur the further one goes from
    the Caribbean.
    Is there any support for the view that a
    Caribbean identity is more evident among
    Caribbean nationals living abroad than it
    is among nationals within the region?

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