‘Out of Many, One People’: cultural diversity in the Caribbean

“Diversity is the one true thing we have in common. Celebrate it every day.”

– Anonymous

OBJECTIVE

Account for the cultural diversity of the Caribbean region.

Explain the motto of Jamaica: ‘Out of Many, One People’.

DR LISA D. Belfield states that culture is that which shapes us; it shapes our identity and influences our behaviour. Culture is our ‘way of being’. More specifically, it refers to the shared language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviours, and material objects that are passed down from one generation to the next.

Cultural diversity is used interchangeably with the term multiculturalism, which is a system of beliefs and behaviours that recognises and respects the presence of all diverse groups in an organisation or society, acknowledges and values their sociocultural differences, and encourages and enables their continued contribution within an inclusive cultural context which empowers all within the organisation or society.

Sociologist Dr Caleb Rosado, who specialises in diversity and multiculturalism, described seven important actions involved in the definition of multiculturalism:

1. Recognition of the abundant diversity of cultures.

2. Respect for the differences.

3. Acknowledging the validity of different cultural expressions and contributions.

4. Valuing what other cultures offer.

5. Encouraging the contribution of diverse groups.

6. Empowering people to strengthen themselves and others to achieve their maximum potential by being critical of their own biases.

7. Celebrating rather than just tolerating the differences in order to bring about unity through diversity.

Before going any further, why do you think cultural diversity is evident in the Caribbean? State ways in which cultural diversity is evident in the Caribbean region?

When looking at the Caribbean, its diverse culture can be explained by history, geography and political system. The Caribbean has been shaped by migration patterns that have combined to form a unique blend of customs, cuisine and traditions that have marked the sociocultural and economic development of the region.

Most of the Caribbean territories were inhabited and developed by European settlers. The result is a blending of themes, symbols of explorers, farmers, labourers and traders with European, American and African connections, which were all important in the development of Caribbean culture.

The history of the region is critical in understanding its cultural diversity and has given us a better understanding of contemporary realities and future challenges. The process is described as having resulted in a distinguishable and distinctive entity called ‘Caribbean’.

These beautiful islands and mainland territories are known worldwide because of their vibrant and diverse inviting culture which is as a result of years of colonisation, struggles and integration. This highlights the fact that Caribbean societies are influenced by cultural diversity, and this gives the Caribbean its unique identity.

Cultural diversity is evidenced in the Caribbean from the multiplicity of ethnic groups, such as Indians, Africans, Chinese and Europeans, that exist within the Caribbean society and the particular ways of life manifested by each group that we have inherited. This diversity has resulted from colonisation by the Europeans in the 15th century, forced migration of the Africans, and the voluntary migration of Asians in the 19th century.

Ethnic traditional practices: Indians brought their traditional foods such as curry and other spices. The curry brought to us by the Indians has been incorporated with various local foods to create lavish dishes.

TRADITIONAL MEDICINES

This is the terminology used to refer to different herbs and other substances which are used for healing purposes by the different ethnic groups. This cultural tradition has had a major influence on especially the rural areas of each Caribbean territory.

OUR TRADITIONAL MUSIC

‘Mento’ in Jamaica was brought by the Africans, and ‘Hindi music’ and ‘chutney’ in Trinidad and Guyana were brought by the Indians. The rhythms and beats from these traditional music have helped to enhance our diverse culture.

Creole languages of the Caribbean are considered languages in their own right. The status of Caribbean Creole languages is believed to be changing. It is said that Creole languages have been granted official recognition. These languages have had standard writing systems developed for them, and they have become an official language of instruction in schools.

According to Rex Nettleford, as with language, so too is religion in the arrangement and effect on Caribbean cultural life. Religion, he said, “is an expression of the biblical reminder that in God’s house there are many mansions”. In the Caribbean, this has manifested itself with the diverse religious beliefs to be found in the region. There are so many denominations in the Caribbean, ranging from Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist, to Presbyterian and Seventh-day Adventists. Many also find comfort in santeria, voodoo, pocomania, obeah, revivalism, kumina, shango, cumfa or any other native-born or religious expression. Hinduism, Islam, Orisha worship and other new-age spiritualism are all religions in what was once an exclusive settlement of Christendom. Africans also brought their religious practices such as voodoo.

CARNIVAL/FESTIVALS

According to Nettleford, festival arts exist as part of the process of self-discovery and the creation of a unifying space that bridges gaps within a society. These gaps were produced by centuries of differentials based on place of origin, skin colour, class, gender, and the more modern differentials of political affiliation and sexual orientation.

The Crop-Over festival art draws on the historical experience of the sugar cane production during slavery in Barbados. It has become a major contemporary calendar event of national observance in this island. Hosay also serves to bring the culture of Indians into the Caribbean society; after the abolition of slavery, they came as indentured labourers.

There are of other festivals – the pre-Lenten carnival, the masquerade in the Leeward Islands, Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas under the name ‘Junkanoo’, and in Bermuda as ‘Gumbay’. The Caribbean is a melting pot. The Jamaican motto can be aptly applied to it: ‘Out of Many, One People’. Nettleford has described how we should see ourselves in the Caribbean: as “partAfrican, part-European, part-Asian, part Native American, but totally Caribbean”.

What cultural event have you attended recently? State THREE things you observed.

ACTIVITY

1. Explain and use correctly terms and concepts associated with social groups and institutions:

Primary group, secondary group, informal group, peer group, voluntary and involuntary membership, culture, institution, social control, folkways, norms, mores and laws.