# data[].attributes.body
The Caribbean is an archipelago, of one people.  Throughout the decades the people have shown solidification towards development and economic prosperity undoubtedly equality.  Uniquely shaped islands produce uniquely diversified people, however, this diversification was not one of our choosing yet imposed.  ‘All ah we is one’ is none other than Caribbean dialect, and dialect is unique to each rock in the Caribbean Sea.  In this article, I am going to portray the Caribbean as being an autonomous knowledge area that is worthy of microstudies to understand the relationship of these little lands to the worldly powers.  The Caribbean has many historical events that erupted actions on a global scale that forced the powers that be to reckon its importance, not to mention many political, social and economic factors that influenced and continue to influence the development and sustenance of the society.  Legion’s definition (as an adjective) is great in number, the Caribbean has 28 nation islands however, an estimated 7000 islands in this great chain.  And like a chain joined by a common link (historical culture) which is why we are one! The vibrant culture, diverse societies with varying models, the quest to identify one’s self and the linkages through time contributes to the unity and the solidification of the Caribbean nations.

# data[].attributes.body
One of the easiest ways to differentiate a West Indian from any other is the vivid culture that we proudly personate as it is the very fire that birthed us all.  The Caribbean’s culture is a cauldron stockpiled with folklore, Afrobased traditions, language, dress, festivities, religion, proverbs and mannerisms.  Many of these have a common root to the African ancestors who hailed from one continent making us one people with varying accents to the cultural flare.
Folklore in the Caribbean is always along the line of mystical nature mainly to keep children in line, or stories told to children to teach them that there are different ways to go about a situation to find the solution, it probes their minds to encourage independent thinking.  In Jamaica, there are Nanny Stories, Dominica Doom-Doom but all islands are aware of Anansi stories and they are published into textbooks that are part of the literature curriculum at schools. There are also the Jumbie stories, evil creatures called Duppy in Jamaica, Soucouyant and La Ja Bless in Dominica who abduct children, perform witchcraft for others at a price.  These stories are generational and of course, the manners to neutralize these threats are taught.
Dance and dress go hand in hand, the vibrant use of colour in our national wear came from the African influence.  There are the Jupe, Wob Dwiyete, and of course modifications done for the younger ones. Dance came from all the inhabitants, the Kalinagos in Dominica, Jamaica has Kumina and Pocomania, Trinidad Dominica Guadeloupe and many others perform Bele. Despite being from the Greater or Lesser Antillies some cultural aspects are uniformed.
Festivities like Carnival, Jazz, and World Creole Music Festival are annually celebrated showcasing varying musical genres flourishing the islands with rhythms for the soul.  Religion in the countries is very important and sects include Christianity, Hinduism, Hinduism, Vodun and Rastafarianism. ( Iiwinc)

# data[].attributes.body
Unit 2 Defining a Caribbean Civilisation describes the civilisation of the Caribbean as being one created “by the virtues of centuries of colonialization… of European powers, … given a legacy of secondary status for local inhabitants.” (pg 1)  However, this is not the true nature of today’s society in the Caribbean.  The Caribbean is made up of different societies

1. Creole Society by Edward Kamau Brathwaite- describes that due to the mixing  of the ethnic groups the society is diverse and ever-changing

2. Plantation Society Model by  Raymond Smith conveys that the society still holds whites as elite in society, mulattos second and blacks last

3. Plural Society by Michael G. Smith.  1965 which described the society as one defined by the varying groups  who in turn, have different classes among their own ethnic  grouping

The Caribbean is greatly family-oriented as one will usually hear “ it takes a village to raise a child”, and that a proper child could be distinguished by their relationship with God and the education attained.  Unit Seven “Religion, Education, and Caribbean Family Life: the Foundation of  ‘Respectable’ Caribbean Society”  Christian Marriage and “Respectability”  describes how the society saw marriage as a means of being valid and a respectable member of society.  However, the marriage of non-Europeans was not deemed valid and deemed respectable throughout the nineteenth century. ( pg 5) The religious and educational aspect of society is usually intertwined as the initial institutions were brought in by the missionaries with the Convent High School in Dominica being the perfect example.  Formally opened February 2, 1858, by Bishop Vesque, the first female secondary school for girls which still excels today in prestige, religion and education. ( History of the Convent High School) Session 2 of Unit 9  Caribbean Civilisation course Caribbean Sexuality and Gender Relations: from the Victorians to Viagra details the issues of gender in the society and the patterns of gender relationships in the communities of that era.  Detailing that women jobs were to be the nurturers of the children, subordinate, hucksters and domestics (genteel skills). Also, inserting that the enslaved women were involved in the resistance like Nanny and the Ashanti rising in Jamaica. ( pgs 6-10)
In local terms, there are really two divisions in life town/ city and country/rural life. Country life is known to be the ‘free’ way of life, where villagers are a lot more friendly,  people have farms, there are standpipes and a few land features that alert islanders that they are entering a rural community are little to no street lights, crossing over a river and of course the forever opened rum shops, the architecture of houses and spaces between buildings is also quite different. Whereas the city is bustling with traffic; the people and the car type, with many buildings tightly packed.  The job opportunities are more diversified than the country as many of the opportunities are in the town.
Family life in the Caribbean comes in many dynamics; nuclear, reconstituted,  extended and single (especially matrifocal).  The ‘yard’ was an African setting of the family where they lived on one plot of land within voice range which is still apparent in the society today.
Reconstituted family is a family that is joined by a new marital contract and each member has a child or children from their previous union. This family dynamic is one that produces conflict, as stepchildren find an issue in addressing their step-parent, mother or father and what happens is that another name is assigned either aunty or uncle and in some cases, their surname is used.
Extended families are common in every Caribbean island where there is a presence of grandparents, cousins, or any other generational relative in one household.  This family organization is highly beneficial to all involved as it could be a way to mitigate financial costs, also, care for either the elders or the young of the family.  This dynamic is more prevalent in rural areas.
Matrifocal families are families headed by the female parent Mustafa stated “ the case in many Caribbean societies where there is a predominance of the matrifocal (female headed) households. This type of family structure has raised questions about the universality of the nuclear family. The traditional family may be under threat of dissolution. Single-parent families may originate through divorce, separation, desertion, abandonment or from the death of a spouse. In some instances, they are due to the tendency among some women today to be career-oriented.” (Mustafa pg 131)  The matrifocal family is a single-parent family and is on the rise in the Caribbean, however, this family has been around since the plantation slavery days.  Unit 4 Beyond the Rivers of Babylon: Enslavement and Freedom of West Africans in the Caribbean we are exposed to the chattel slavery, the brutal measures that Africans were placed under, the floggings, beatings, death, hunting and sale of male slaves which contributed to the separation of the males from their families.

# data[].attributes.body
Identification in the Caribbean is quite easy if it is being done locally, however, if there are many West Indians in one area it is a bit difficult to place them to their proper homeland especially if they are not allowed to speak!  However, for reading purposes, we can use localisation to identify the Caribbean region.  Located to the east of Central America, west of West Africa and south of North America is the Caribbean surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Self-identity has always been a quest for many West Indians as we were taught that our identity came as a result of religion brought on by the imperialist control by the European capitalists.  Yet this lesson had to be retaught as we learned of our afro-heritage and other eastern hemispheric influence on the region.  Identity is not limited to just race, class, gender and ethnicity but sovereignty and individualistic mannerisms.  The scenario presented above can be used to differentiate between people, those who speak patois would be affiliated to Jamaica, those with creole could be affiliated to Haiti, Guadeloupe and Martinique.  However, this is not entirely the case, for Dominica, St. Lucia and Tobago also speak creole the enunciation is different on a few words but the meaning is conveyed across properly.  From the cultural aspect previously discussed the dress could be a distinguishable factor for the islands. Dominica wears the madrass during the Independence season October to November whereas St Lucia wears it every Friday!  However, this cultural aspect is not all, the Caribbean is being influenced by North America (USA) through the media. The USA has been slowly changing the identity of the Caribbean as we are adopting their methods of music, dress and inevitably their lifestyle. The previous generations have been commenting on this influence as being negative as the friendliness, togetherness and respectful nature of the people is fading away as the new society is selfish and even evil.  There is also the “diasporic consciousness” aspect where West Indians migrate to larger territories the ‘homesickness’ begins as they now realise that they are to conform to new rules and adjust to a new life and seldom feel like an outcast in this society. ( pg8) Therefore it is best said that geographically the identification of the Caribbean can not be changed but through diversification and influence the identity of the people can!

# data[].attributes.body
Michael Jordan said, “I want to be the bridge to the next generation.”
There have been many events of the past that correlate to the present happenings in the WI.  Throughout the Caribbean Civilisation course, many themes have been identified as being the backbone of the success of the entire region. Themes of culture, identity, imperialism, resistance, independence and feminism have all played their role in the defining factors of Caribbean attitudes while evaluating issues faced per country but the region as a unit.  August 1, 1973, was the implementation of the Treaty of Chaguaramas which birthed CARICOM and CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy). This community is formed by 15 nations of the Caribbean entrusted to uplift the livelihood of participating nations through the economy, employability (labour) and investments. The physical Caribbean proves itself resistant like its people, The Emergence of ‘King’ Sugar”  occurred in the Caribbean after the failure of cotton and tobacco in the 1600s. Another instance was the fall of cocoa in Trinidad due to disease and was no longer exported by 1725 causing sugar to be the alternative. ( The Diversified Caribbean in the 16th and 17th Centuries, pgs7-9) These events have caused islands to move away from monocropping to diversification through citrus,  provisions and tourism as means of revenue.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Guyana Cara Lodge CPDC Financial Management Training Workshop

# data[].attributes.body
The Caribbean is considered to be a Melting Pot due to the ethnicities present in the region.  Through cultural expression, societal norms, through various identification analysis and historical events one is able to assess that the Caribbean is one but many. A unit that needs to be studied while experiencing on the land, not through a screen.  For while each island is unique when compared to the world; a unified front.

# data[].attributes.body
(Celaire)

# data[].attributes.body
(Celaire 00.13)

# data[].attributes.body
Celaire, Rhonda. Collage displaying cultural wear and diversification of Rhonda Celaire’s family. 2020. Photograph.

Celaire, Rhonda. Extended family and well wishing villagers celebrating 90th birthday of my grandfather, 12 Jun 2018.

Celaire, Rhonda. VAYB Performance at WCMF 2019. 26 Oct 2019.

Celaire, Rhonda. West Indians at CPDC training at Cara Lodge Georgetown Guyana. 2019. Photograph.

Dublin, Josephine. “CXC Results 2017.” CHS, Aug. 2017, www.conventhighschool.org/downloads-and-publications/latest-news/845-cxc-results-2017.

“History of the Convent High School.” Convent High School, www.conventhighschool.org/about-chs/history-of-chs.

Iiwinc. “Religion in the Caribbean.” The Caribbean Religion | Caribya!, caribya.com/caribbean/religion/.

Mustafa, Nasser. Sociology for Caribbean Students. 2nd ed., Ian Randle, 2013. Available at Available via UWIlinC.