# data[].attributes.body
In this blog, the researcher intends to uncover what the phrase "all ah we is one" may be interpreted as. This would be done by the exploration of the history, societies and concepts of identity that has been encountered by Caribbean civilization.

# data[].attributes.body
The Caribbean can be defined as a relatively new geographical area which consists of the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles and Fringe Caribbean (Watson). The concept of the Caribbean archipelago is also used which stretches from the Bahamas at the north to Trinidad and Tobago. Another interpretation of the Caribbean is thought to constitutes by the islands previously mentioned inclusive of Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana and Belize (de Roux). It can be argued that the Caribbean is more than just a geographical location but a group of countries with a shared history which was encountered through their relationship with European conquerors.

Photo Credit: https://blogs.iadb.org/caribbean-dev-trends/en/mean-caribbean-anyway/

# data[].attributes.body
Cultural identity can be defined as the identification with a group that is based on various cultural categories which can range from nationality, ethnicity, race, gender as well as religion. It is constructed and maintained through the process of sharing collective knowledge such as traditions, heritage, language, aesthetics, norms and customs (Chen).

# data[].attributes.headline
The Evolution of Cultural Identity in the Caribbean Society throughout History 

# data[].attributes.subject
The Evolution of Cultural Identity in the Caribbean Society throughout History 

# data[].attributes.body
In the Caribbean many factors throughout history had a part to play in the evolution of cultural identity in their society. It ranged from traditions that were introduced from as early as the first peoples and developed over time, religious beliefs, languages that were introduced and adapted, the empowerment through the diversity of race, development of gender roles and music.

# data[].attributes.headline
Evolution of Cultural Identity: Traditions

# data[].attributes.subject
Evolution of Cultural Identity: Traditions

# data[].attributes.body
What is tradition? Tradition may be defined as a belief, principle or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time. The influence of tradition on the evolution of cultural identity has stood as a substantial role over time (Cambridge Dictionary). This can be seen in in the history of the Indian indentured labours as they came over to the Caribbean with their jahaji bundles, which held their all their worldly possessions that was passed down through generations. It could have been their spices used in various dishes or valuables that would be handed down. Furthermore, tradition has brought about some of our festivals that exist to date. An example of this is the festival of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago which was evolved since from that of the days of slavery. When the African slaves were freed the Canboulay riots that were once a form of resistance against the French Catholic became a symbol of freedom and the traditions continued. It evolved into a celebration against that of the upper-class as they would dress up and mimic their once oppressors along with chanting and drums. This shows how the Caribbean people created a sense of identity through passing down traditions as these events still occur presently during the festival of Carnival.

Charcoal Depiction of the Camboulay Riots
Photo Credit: jackiehinkson.com/exhibitionartcreatorsfeb06-1.html.

# data[].attributes.body
Music is an art form that allows one to express themselves as well as represent a sense of creativity and individualism. This can be seen in relation to the West African slaves that traditionally had a griot who was a storyteller but did so by means of singing to court. It would inform the other slaves on the plantations of the current affairs. This tradition later evolved in Trinidad to be known as Calypso which followed the West African tradition of being a way to broadcast current affairs using a steady driving rhythm and improvised verses (Caribbean Music: Artists & Genres). During the festival of Carnival in Trinidad Calypso still plays a major role as there are calypso tents where persons compete. The genre of Calypso later gave birth to Soca, which was invented by Garfield Blackman, also known as Ras Shorty I, a Trinidadian calypsonian and soca musician. Soca now plays an instrumental role in the festival of Carnival as the upbeat tempo and infectious lyrics sends masquerades in a frenzy of celebration. It is now a vital part of the festivities, where there is even the International Soca Monarch Competition that artistes from other Caribbean islands partake. It is eye-opening when tracing back history what we use as a means of celebration was just a means for ancestors to get by.

Errol Duke also know as "The Growler" performing at a calypso tent.
Photo Credit: http://www.bestoftrinidad.com/calypso40s.html

# data[].attributes.body
"Dear Promoter" a short film by Shayad 'Plexx' Andrews features Peter Minshall, who is a Trinidadian Carnival artist, a pillar in the cultural community in Trinidad and Tobago. By using spoken word, he expresses what it means to be a Caribbean people. Minshall explains that we don't identify by the way we look or from where we originate but by our shared cultural history that has developed over the years providing the Caribbean people with an identity. The music heard in the background is Soca performed by the artistes Aaron “Voice” St Louis and Kees Dieffenthaller while snips of various events that take place during the festival of Carnival are also featured.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Voice x Kes  x Peter Minshall - Dear Promoter (Official Short Film) by Captain Plexx

# data[].attributes.headline
Evolution of Cultural Identity: Religion

# data[].attributes.subject
Evolution of Cultural Identity: Religion

# data[].attributes.body
What is religion? Religion may be defined as a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects (Dictionary.com). When dating back to as early to the first peoples in the Caribbean religion had a part to play with one’s identity. The neo-indians identified as Polytheistic which had a trinity of Gods where they worshiped Zemis, which were religious figures used to transcend to the spiritual realm. However, when colonialization by the Spanish, British, French, Dutch and other European bodies began the first peoples that were found in any newly found lands were forced to convert to the favoured religion of the European colonizers. This stripped away a sense of identity for the first peoples as they now had to adapt to a new religion that was not familiar and not of their land. Furthermore, due to the colonialism of the Caribbean Christianity being the dominant religion of many of the European colonizers it was passed down through generations in the region. This was also adapted by the West African slaves that arrived through the middle passage.  This is due to the African slaves’ religions such as Shango, Spiritual Baptiste, Voodoo and many more were forbidden during slavery as the eurocentric perspective saw it as witchcraft and to be evil. When the various indentured labours during the period of 1838 to 1917 were brought into the region their religions, such as Hinduism and Islam, were viewed to be pagan leaving many to conform to the European’s Christian beliefs. Nevertheless, the Caribbean people began to embrace their own religious beliefs as they saw the need for it to find their own identity away from their colonizers. An example of this can be seen in Jamaica as it was influenced by the Pan-African movement during the great depression in the 1930s where persons of African descent began to become more interested with that of their African roots as opposed to the European way. Thus, resulting in the emergence of Rastafari which its religious nature is represents the reaction of oppression. This religion strongly supports individualism and views all as equals which is differing in comparison to that of the colonialist religion that focused strongly on class and race (Connell).

# data[].attributes.body
“All Ah We is One” can be interpreted as the shared history throughout the Caribbean. It shows how as the Caribbean people due to their shared experiences and diverse culture that has impacted the Caribbean society today are more than being individuals with separate identities. However, the Caribbean people be it whatever their ethnicity, religious beliefs or traditions have all come together to create a cultural identity of their own away from the European colonizers. It shows how they have honed what was once adversity through oppression to embrace individualism through the evolution of their cultural identity to date.

# data[].attributes.body
Nelson, M. “What Do You Mean by ‘Caribbean’ Anyway?” Caribbean Development Trends, 4 June 2019, blogs.iadb.org/caribbean-dev-trends/en/mean-caribbean-anyway/.

Watson, K. (n.d.). Geology and Geography of the Caribbean. Retrieved from: http://courses.sta.uwi.edu, December 2003.

Chen, Vivian Hsueh-Hua. "Cutural Identity." Key Concepts in Intercultural Dialogue (2014). https://centerforinterculturaldialogue.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/key-concept-cultural-identity.pdf.

de Roux, Heliana Fortes. "Creolization in the Caribbean."

Connell, Khimaja R., and Jamaica Kingston. "Caribbean Journal of Philosophy Vol. 4, No. 1, 2012 (Published July 2015)."

“TRADITION: Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary.” Cambridge Dictionary, dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/tradition.

Jackie Hinkson -Exh Attitude, jackiehinkson.com/exhibitionartcreatorsfeb06-1.html.

"Caribbean Music: Artists & Genres." Study.com, 31 July 2016, study.com/academy/lesson/caribbean-music-artists-genres.html

“Calypso 1900 - 1949.” Calypso (Trinidad), www.bestoftrinidad.com/calypso40s.html.

“Religion.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/religion.