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-Dr. John F. Campbell Lecture Plenary #8, 2016.
-Caribbean Traveler, Caribbean Festivals and Events 2009. -http://www.caribbeantraveler.com/festivals-events.html
-Caribbean 360, West Indies Cricket, 3rd April, 2016
-Youtube, Cro Cro- Goodness Delayed, Dimanche Gras 2014.

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Initially I was not the most enthusiastic about pursuing this course. However,  I have come to appreciate the importance of it. It was truly a learning experience as the online plenaries and tutorial sessions gave an opportunity for participation and discussion. This was quite interesting as I was given the opportunity to hear other students' point of views and contributions. I have definitely learnt a lot and got a better and more in depth understanding about the history of the Caribbean and its identity. On doing this unit for my portfolio, I was able to explore and learn more about what creates Caribbean culture.

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"DIVIDED BY WATER, TOGETHER BY CULTURE"

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Music, sports, festivals, dance, food, clothing, folklore, education, religious items, material artifacts, books.

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1) High Culture
2) Popular Culture- Subcultures
3) Counterculture

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Sports in the Caribbean region was used in colonization and as a result as shaped the region. This can be seen through the social, economic and political impacts. Sports has therefore contributed to the structure of the Caribbean cultural identity as it has built island and regional nationalism. Four of the major sports in the Caribbean that has been breaking national barriers are baseball, rugby, football and cricket. For example, Trinidad & Tobago Soca Warriors qualified to compete in the 2008 games in Germany which truly made a name for the region. As known, cricket is seen as one of the sport that characterizes the Caribbean region. It continues to do so as seen in the article below where both women and men continue to dominate on national levels and shine though this sport.

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KOLKATA, India, Sunday April 3, 2016 - West Indies cricketers have created history. In more ways than one.

The men's and women's teams today took the World Twenty20 Championship in India - the first time they have taken both titles. The men's team also became the first to win more than one World T20 tournament, having defeated Sri Lanka in the finals in 2012. The women won the title for the first time.

It was a hat trick for the Caribbean side, following the junior squad winning the Under-19 World T20 title a few weeks ago.

The men's win at Eden Gardens, Kolkata was extraordinary. They needed 19 runs from their final over to reach 156 for victory against England. And they made it, thanks to all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, with two balls and four wickets remaining.

Four consecutive big hits from Brathwaite - all sixes - did the job.

#CHAMPION! 6,6,6,6 GAME OVER! #WT20 #RALLY pic.twitter.com/GklnKmcjEq

- westindies (@westindies) April 3, 2016

Player of the match is Marlon Samuels for his unbeaten knock of 85.

Earlier in the day, the women reached the 149 needed, with three balls left, to crush defending champions Australia and secure their first ever World T20 title..

#CHAMPION#WT20 #RALLY pic.twitter.com/AjfxB8vMau

- westindies (@westindies) April 3, 2016

Although his side's victory was sweet, the West Indies Men's skipper Darren Sammy expressed disappointment at the lack of support from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), while he thanked Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders for having their back.

"I really want to thank the heads of CARICOM. Throughout this tournament they have been supporting the team; we've got emails, we've got phone calls. [Grenada] Prime Minister [Keith] Mitchell...he sent a very inspiring email for the team this morning...and I'm yet to hear from our own Cricket Board. That is very disappointing," he said.

Mitchell, who is also Chairman of the CARICOM Subcommittee on Cricket Governance, congratulated the Windies players on their performance.

He noted that throughout the hard-fought contests and in the face of daunting adversities on and off the field, the Caribbean teams maintained their focus, and executed with skill, composure and pride, to deliver to an expectant and grateful region some of the most memorable victories in West Indies cricketing history; and indeed the most memorable in recent times.

And he again pledged the continued unwavering support of CARICOM governments to developing cricket on an all-encompassing basis, including its governance, so as to ensure that on all levels, the players receive the necessary guidance and nurturing to harness their potential.

In a statement issued later in the day, the WICB hailed the West Indies squad, expressed how proud it was, and also congratulated itself, among others, for supporting the teams.

"Our men's, women's and Under-19 teams within the last three months have made the West Indies a region worthy of tremendous attention by being the best at the international level in world cricket.. This is a defining moment for cricket and we ought to thank each and every one of our Directors, Management, Staff and supporters for the support West Indies cricket has received. This is a truly ecstatic moment and we are indeed proud of this momentous achievement," it said.

The WICB said the men's team was electric and exciting in their performances during the tournament, and the players had "executed their comprehensive plan and we are pleased with the results".

It said it would use the T20 format as a springboard to the longer formats of the game, and would "use this as an opportunity to continue the development work we have to do to make the overall cricket product better".

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West Indies cricketers smash their way into T20 history | Caribbean360

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KOLKATA, India, Sunday April 3, 2016 - West Indies cricketers have created history. In more ways than one. The men's and women's teams today took the World Twenty20 Championship in India - the first time they have taken both titles.

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Within the Caribbean region, music is quite diverse and plays a crucial role in identifying and representing Caribbean culture. In the Caribbean, music is loved and creates unity amongest all. It is  used for more than recreational purposes. It is also associated with religious practices and to portray critical issues and messages for example political calypso. The genres of music which exist in the Caribbean are Reggae, Calypso, Soca, Rapso, Bachata and many more. These genres have made many stages and gain popularity not only within the Caribbean region but in international waters.

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Trinidad and Tobago Diwali ( Learning Activity 8.1, Self Generated)

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Trinidad and Tobago Diwali ( Learning Activity 8.1, Self Generated)

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Deepawali or Diwali is known as the festival of lights. The origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India. It is celebrated for a five day period. The fifth day celebrations are usually where friends and families come together to exchange blessings and sweets. Along with singing and dancing. Even though Diwali is known to be a Hindu festival, many non Hindus of all ages and backgrounds opt to celebrate this festival by either visiting friends and family or simply preparing these Indian delicacies and setting off of fireworks in their own homes. Below shows a picture of preparation of Indian delicacies on Diwali at a friend's house.

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Most islands in the Caribbean region hosts an annual event celebrating its unique culture and heritage with food, music and dance. These festivals not only unite those in the country but also interests those outside. Many persons within the Caribbean region travel to other islands to celebrate such events. These events include; Barbados Jazz Festival, Grenada Carnival Trinidad and Tobago Diwali, Jamaica Raggae Sumfest, Guyana Phagwah and many more.

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Popular Caribbean festivals and events including Trindad & Tobago Carnival, Junkanoo Festival, Reggae Sumfest and more.

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Culture can be defined as a collection of symbols, customs, values, interpretation and perspectives that set apart a group of persons from another. There is material (books, buildings) and non material culture (values and beliefs). While there are many factors of segregation such as social stratification, the Caribbean region can be seen to have a united and diverse culture .This culture is constantly being transmitted and evolving.