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Akealer Dore-Huggins  620109818

Akissa Farrell
620114087

Franca Okuk
620110474

Vincia Hendrickson
620107398

Faculty:Health Sciences

Campus: University of the West Indies, Mona campus

Degree Program: BsN

Date: 1/12/17

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Unit 4- Beyond the Rivers of Babylon: Enslavement and Freedom of West Africans in the Caribbean

Unit 5- The Caribbean in Motion: Emancipation, Migration & Indentureship

Unit 6- Caribbean Identity: Defining A Caribbean Self

Unit 7- Religion, Education and Caribbean Family Life: The Foundation of Respectable Caribbean Society

Unit8- Caribbean Cultural Expression: Festivals, Music and Sports

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Caribbean Civilisation has proven to be an extremely informative subject that reflects our history and culture. It makes one intellectually curious, as it makes you want to learn more about Caribbean history and diversity.

As we journey through the different units and engaged in the different tutorials we developed a move keen understanding.

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The Caribbean in Motion: Emancipation, Migration & Indentureship

The dynamism of Caribbean Civilization is portrayed by the many different ethnic and racial groups that exist. These groups contributed majorly to the demographic diversity of the Caribbean islands. Mass migration whether it be by choice or force was the culprit of the emergence of the Caribbean diaspora. This unit was chosen because it allowed for the critical analysis of the Caribbean's cultural development. We were able to gain a better understanding of the demographic diversity of the Caribbean. We are now aware of each groups contribution to our history and culture. Out of this diversity emerge miscegenation which led to hybridization, creating new groups of Caribbean people. For example in the Caribbean their exists the Douglas, Ocotoroon, Sambo, Mestizo, Quadroons and Mulattoos.

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In understanding the Caribbean identity identify three ways with a brief explanation record in which the Caribbean identity is shaped by the US imperialism to this day in regards to movies, fashion, laws, music and aid.

Cultural imperialism

Can be defined as a system in which a less developed country is influence by one superior country that is more advanced technologically and utilized their cultural values.

According to an article by the Daily Gleaner dated January 2nd, 1945 it is affirmed that the US imperialism has a huge impact in the Caribbean most of the movies, music shown in the cinemas entertainment in the Caribbean are all adopted from the US as well as Fashion styles.

Been influenced by the U.S imperialism has increase the rate of racism which is one of the issues surrounding us in the Caribbean region due to how we perceive other people’s complexion and this is one reason we have been impaired from accepting who we are. For example, we often assume that light complexion skins are more sophisticated and highly accepted socially in the society more than dark skin people and this has contributed to forging of identity. Culture gives a society its identity, the Caribbean is a complex culture with dynamic diversity adopting the U.S culture in regards to our fashion style and imitating their accent via music has also led to forging our identity and avert us from accepting who are because about 85% of our attire are link to the U.S.

The following points would provide a better understanding on how the U.S culture has impacted the Caribbean

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Religion, Education and Caribbean Family Life: The Foundation of 'Respectable' Caribbean Society

Religion, education and Caribbean families are social institutions of Caribbean societies.  These institutions are all influenced by different racial and ethnic groups organs.  This Unit has opened the gateway of our minds when it came to this topic and hence the reason why this it was chosen.  Prior to being students of this course, my colleagues and i were unaware of the roles of these social institutions and how they were linked.  For Instance, the missionaries contributed invaluably to the establishment of education for the blacks and Indians.  Sunday schools were introduced mainly for the purpose of reading the bible.  The curriculum was purposefully based on religious instructions, however it was later expanded.  The need for more schools increased as education became the vehicle of social mobility among the blacks and the indentured servants.  In this light, we are indeed grateful and thankful for the roles that the missionaries played in the expansion of education.

Some Planters also played a role in establishing religious organization. The Cottle Church c. 1824 located in Nevis was the first church built in the Caribbean for all people regardless of colour, to worship together. The English planter, Thomas Cottle built this church on land that he inherited from his father, an English lawyer who became solicitor general of St.Kitts. The Church was planned as a place where his own family and those of his slaves could worship together. While many of the plantation owners still favoured slavery, Cottle worked to improve the conditions of slaves, educate them and convert them to Christianity.

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https://www.sknvibes.com/islandfacts/sitepage.cfm?p=163. n.d. 28 November 2017.

2010), University of California ( Digitized May 28. "Bob Marley, Caribbean Lives." Steckles, Gary. Macmillan Caribbean, 2008.

Allsopp, Jeanette and John R Rickford. "Language, Culture and Caribbean Identity." (2012).

Beckles, Hillary. n.d. courses.sta.uwi.edu. Universityof the West Indies. <http://courses.sta.uwi.edu/SCRIPT/FD11A/scripts/serve_home>.

Flanagan, Alice K; Labbo, Linda D;. "Carnival, Holidays and Festivals,." Capstone, 2003.

http://caribya.com/st.kitts/events.and.festivalshttp:. n.d. 28 November 2017.

http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/arts-and-culture/articles/caribbean-festivals-and-events. n.d. 28 November 2017.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/scant-miss-caribbean-music-festivals-1488044. n.d. 28 November 2017.

James, C L R. The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and The San Domingo Revolution. Penguin Books Ltd, 2001.

Mangan, J A and Andrew Ritchie. "Ethnicity, Sport, Identity: Stuggles for Status." Psychology Press , 2014.

Newton, John. "The Journal of a Slave Trader." (1962).

Olaudah, Equiano. "The Interesting Narative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano." (2001).

Richardson, Carlisle. "Island Journey: The Impact of the Island Way of Life at Home And Abroad." (2015).

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Caribbean Civilisation has had a great impact on our critical analyzing skills. Our cognitive skills has increased in such a way that it has made us all critical thinkers. The topics that we chose us and the online sessions that we interacted through gave us a better understanding about the Caribbean, its people and its history. We learnt that the Caribbean is diveresed and has a melting pot of different races and ethnicity.

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Beyond the Rivers of Babylon: Enslavement and Freedom of West Africans in the Caribbean

This topic was chosen because it enlightened us about the evolution of slavery which led to the evolution and expansion of
Chattel Slavery in the Caribbean.

Slavery existed in Africa but it was not the same as slavery Caribbean. For instance, slavery in Africa was done on a small scale. One became a slave in order to pay off a debt or as punishment for a crime. Slaves in Africa were well nourished and well taken of and sometimes slaves  were also the owners of slaves. Additionally after a period of time slaves could become part of their master's family and  their children would be freed. However in the Caribbean slaves were seen as property and therefore had no rights. Once one entered into slavery his/her children and future generations would also be slaves. Chattel Slavery was due to the capture of the Africans from Africa. One of the most disturbing issues as a student was how the middle passage was glorified as a long journey across the Atlantic. During this course we were disturbed. It gave us a greater insight into the conditions our ancestors endured. It led to feelings of anguish and disgust. What made us feel a sense of pride was the level of resistance among the slaves during their enslavement during the middle passage. The documentary " Roots" dramatized how a family of Kinte's were determined to resist enslavement. The film was touching as it depicted how Africans were kidnapped and sold into slavery, and how the generations suffered until aboliton.

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Roots_ The Middle Passage _ History[Trim]

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Caribbean Cultural Expression: Festivals, Music and Sports
The unit is divided into three sessions:

Session 1: Caribbean Festivals

Session 2: Caribbean Music

Session 3: Sports and the Caribbean Psyche

Before doing FOUN 1101, Caribbean Expressions such as Festivals, Music and Sports were seen as no other than pass time. Festivals were seen as a way for people to make money. Through this unit,  it helps to understand that festivals all around the Caribbean have a significant role. Sports was seen as merely nothing other than a sport in general. Further into this unit one comes to realize that sports such as cricket was used as a cultural expression to demonstrate a high society and anti-colonialism.

Caribbean culture can be described as a body of learned practices inherited from ancestors and shared between generations. Music, festivals and sports are all elements of an identity, ‘A Caribbean Identity’.

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According to Flanagan and Labbo, Carnival started hundreds of years ago in Europe to welcome the coming of spring. Farmers would pray for healthy crops and animals. After a period of time, reasons to celebrate festivals changed. Caribbean carnivals are based on 'Trini' Carnivals that were introduced to the island in the 18th century by French plantation owners and their slaves. The enslaved were not allow to partake in the carnival so they came up with their own called ‘Canboulay’ which played a very important role in developing our identity. However, for Africans, carnival was seen as a way to forget how hard life was for a period of time. There is no festival that epitomizes the Caribbean more than Carnival. Almost every island hosts an annual event celebrating its idiosyncratic heritage with music, dance and food. Events such as the St Kitts Music Festival demonstrates their modern outlook on festivities and the Latin Fiesta held in October brings attention to the geographic proximity.

A known carnival event that takes place in the national island of St. Kitts and Nevis is known as Sugar Mas. Carnival begins officially on Christmas Eve and ends on January in the New Year. On the 25th of December marked the birth of Christ and celebrated as Christmas day, events on that specific day are paused. So festivities held are done prior or after the 25th of December. The carnival season consists of many different activities such as pageants, street jamming, calypso shows, masquerades and mocko jumbies. A major highlight of the festival is ‘J’ouvert morning’, whereby bands and people parade through the streets playing music.

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Music serves as a channel for national communities and is important in understanding how Caribbean history was shaped and structured. Through Caribbean music one can relieve pent-up stress, showcase pleasurable emotions which can manifest into dance and draw a person’s closer to god. Cultures throughout the world have their own form of displaying their musical expression specific to their society which aims to showcase the importance of our Caribbean civilization and its musical cultures. It is awe-inspiring how persons move to the command of music during Caribbean festivals. There are many genres and styles common in the Caribbean such as calypso, reggae, soca and dancehall. Artist such as reggae icon Bob Marley was a Jamaican song writer and musician said to be a global symbol of forging culture and identity throughout the Caribbean and as an international force.  His combination of politically and socially conscious lyrics, unforgettable melodies and fierce hostility to the injustices of ‘Babylon’ made his music the voice of the poor and dispossessed.

Machel Mantano: Happiest Man Alive

The song ‘Happiest Man Alive’ by soca artist Machel Montano speaks about freeing ones’ mind from challenges and live life especially on the day of carnival festivals where one should escape. When one listened to the lyrics one gets a sense of relief. For instance, the lines ‘have no time for worries, no stress’ through these lyrics it puts the mind at ease because through music and dance a person can transfer pent-up emotions.

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Machel Montano - H.M.A. (Happiest Man Alive)  _ Official Music Video _ Soca 2014_ Trinidad Carnival[Trim]

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Sports is just as popular in the Caribbean as it is  throughout the rest of the world. Baseball is popular in the Dominican Republic while soccer, cricket, and other European sports hold a strong pull in the British West Indies. Cricket was brought by the British to the Caribbean and the region adopted it.Sports have served to bind and promote island and regional unity. C.LR. James emphasizes the extent to which a match between the former colonial subjects (The West Indies) and the ‘mother’ country (England) was not just a match in his book ‘Beyond a Boundary’.

David Rudder: Rally around the West Indies

The song ‘Rally Round The West Indies’ sang by famous calypsonian, David Rudder extends a plea to the Caribbean peoples to support and not to give up on the West Indies cricket team. It spoke of the glory days of the team and assured us that they will prevail if we a as Caribbean people show support. He uses the imagery of the ‘warrior’ Michael Holding former W.I cricketer who was an all ‘arounder’ because he was both a bowler and batsman. The imagery of ‘battle’ is showcased through the song when David talks about how some of the old generals that have retired and gone cause the runs to be depleted. Even though they might have loss the battle they will win the war. One classifies this song as an unofficial cricket anthem mainly because this song is heard numerous times whether it be on television or radio. It can also serve as a cultural and historical lesson because cricket plays an important role in the Caribbean. The song talks about the fall of the West Indies team which wasdefeated in cricket world cup following dominating the title for a decade.

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The role of the missionaries was not limited to just education, even though it was considered of great importance that the knowledge of the deity was taught and the principles, morals and values outlined be adhered, worship and marriages were highly encouraged and baptisms were done.  The common perception that we had was that only traditional religions such as Anglican, Moravian Methodist and Catholic were present but it is now clear to us that there also existed non-traditional religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Kumina, Voodun, Rastafari, Orisha and Santeria.Many of the non-traditional religions are considered to be syncretic forms.

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The African families were divided prior to the arrival on the plantations, usually leaving the children with the mothers.  This however,  did not prevent the evolution of the Caribbean family. The Caribbean family is a diverse institution which was influenced by Euro-centric ideals.  Although the Africans were denied patriarchal families during slavery they are quite common in today’s societies.  Social institutions are manifested through social organization.  Syncretic religious movements such as pocomania has contributed to  the strong family ties.  This is a traditional religion that
has been passed down from generation to generation within some families. The religious meetings includes ritual prayers, dances, and rhythmic drumming and participants usually go into a trance.

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The middle passage was one of the most horrified journey that lasted 6-8 weeks. In journal article, The journal of a slave trader  (John Newton),  who was a captain of a slave ship. He noted on the 13th of June  " This morning buryed a  woman slave (No 47) Know not what to say she died of for she has not been properly alive since she first came on board."  The conditions were appauling and heart-wrenching. 

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The middle passage was one of the most horrified journey that lasted 6-8 weeks. In journal article, The journal of a slave trader  (John Newton),  who was a captain of a slave ship. He noted on the 13th of June  " This morning buryed a  woman slave (No 47) Know not what to say she died of for she has not been properly alive since she first came on board."  The conditions were appauling and heart-wrenching. 

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The men were usually shackled together in pairs using leg irons or shackles as they were considered the most dangerous. With the aid of this short clip taken from the Amistad which depicted events of a slave ship known as the La Amistad, one can visualize the conditions that slaves had to endure on the middle passage. One can see the pain, desperation and anguish in their eyes, the panic and uncertainty in their cries and the sweat dripping from their faces due to lack of ventilation and extreme heat that enclosed them.

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Amistad 1997 ( Scene of slaves on the ship ) FULL HD mp4_8756(1)

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 According to Dr. Thomas, The densely packed slaves could not breathe because of the close proximity and the stench from defecation, urination and vomit. See the section below.

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 According to Dr. Thomas, The densely packed slaves could not breathe because of the close proximity and the stench from defecation, urination and vomit. See the section below.

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Olaudah Equiano who was an African writer and also experienced the brutality of the middle passage was able to give a first hand account of the inhumane conditions they had to endure.  He noted “The shrieks of the women and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable.” Can you imagine millions of Africans kidnapped and transported to the unknown. Many went insane; some committed suicide, infanticide and threw themselves overboard into shark infested waters. They even tried to rebel which would often lead to mutilation of the slaves or even murder by the hands of the crew or captains.

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Based on all of the records and documentaries or movies one can see that the slaves had to endure so much before they arrived to the West  Indies. For example from the time they were taken from in the Coast to the Coastline via coffles.  Even with the exploitation of the women during the middle passage and on the sugar estate we as people of African decedents were better able to understand what our ancestors had to go through and how strong black women were.  The phrase Sugar in the Caribbean was made from blood, sweat and tears gives us the realization that not only was this not an exaggeration but it continues to impact the Caribbean today. However this paved the foundation for freedom that was deemed overdue. The most impactful event was the Haitian revolution that occurred in (1791-1804). According to the famous book, The Black Jacobin's  not only was the Haitian Revolution from below but it was a successful anti-slavery insurrection that was orchestrated by self-liberated black slaves that had, had enough.  This in turn created the domino effect  that eventually lead to the abolition of slavery in 1834.

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Based on all of the records and documentaries or movies one can see that the slaves had to endure so much before they arrived to the West  Indies. For example from the time they were taken from in the Coast to the Coastline via coffles.  Even with the exploitation of the women during the middle passage and on the sugar estate we as people of African decedents were better able to understand what our ancestors had to go through and how strong black women were.  The phrase Sugar in the Caribbean was made from blood, sweat and tears gives us the realization that not only was this not an exaggeration but it continues to impact the Caribbean today. However this paved the foundation for freedom that was deemed overdue. The most impactful event was the Haitian revolution that occurred in (1791-1804). According to the famous book, The Black Jacobin's  not only was the Haitian Revolution from below but it was a successful anti-slavery insurrection that was orchestrated by self-liberated black slaves that had, had enough.  This in turn created the domino effect  that eventually lead to the abolition of slavery in 1834.

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On the 28th of November our group attempted to answer the tutorial which was deemed quite successful as the unit was very informative allowing for our critical analysis of the question chosen.

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Ø  Comedies: Madea, Big Mama, Deadpool

Ø  Horror: Incidious, Annabelle, Sinister

Ø  Romance: A Walk to Remember, Fault in your Stars, Titanic, Beautiful Creatures

Ø  Action: Fast and Furious, Red, Resident Evil, Transporter, Taken

The trends surrounding these celebrities are quickly adopted in the Caribbean. Different age groups can be heard listening, singing and idolizing these various 'celebs'. The fashion sense showcased in the U.S has been copied in the Caribbean such as wearing of trousers below the waist, halter tops, distressed jeans and Jordan shoes. The use of phrases or common catch lines quoted in movies are frequently repeated.

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Ø  Rhythm and Blues (RnB): R Kelly, Joe Thomas, Mary J. Blige Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, Whitney Houston

Ø  Rap: Lil Wayne, Future, Drake, Tupac

Ø  Gospel: Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp

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Ø  Calvin Klein:

Products include men boxers and t-shirts sun shade glasses, hand lotions, women’s hand bags, lip-stick, shoes, travelling bags wrist-washes as well as children’s wears and accessories

Ø  Tommy Hilfiger:

Products include sneakers and track pants products include Jeans and T-shirt, Leggings, Jumpsuits, Track pants, Velvet, Denim mini skirt, shoes, sneakers, over-the-knee boots,

Ø  Ralph Lauren:

Products include men's belts and handbags.

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By the end of the British Caribbean enslavement in the Caribbean, this marked the beginning of a new era that pushed the region into a new phrase of development.  The free slaves were now liberated and were not desirous to work on the sugar plantation. Who in their right minds would, with all the brutality, exploitation and humiliation they had to endure? Therefore a consequence was labour shortage in the British West Indies.

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By the end of the British Caribbean enslavement in the Caribbean, this marked the beginning of a new era that pushed the region into a new phrase of development.  The free slaves were now liberated and were not desirous to work on the sugar plantation. Who in their right minds would, with all the brutality, exploitation and humiliation they had to endure? Therefore a consequence was labour shortage in the British West Indies.

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This unit allowed for our group to grasp a better understanding of Caribbean Diversity which gave us the tool needed to properly elaborate in our tutorial question.

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Caribbean Identity: Defining A Caribbean Self

This topic enlightened us about how we can embrace and cherish the Caribbean culture and appreciate our skin complexion irrespective of the weather.
Its also helps to reveal the  identity in which we should adopt and promote.   This unit explored the quest for ones identity.  In the Caribbean there is  wide range of different ethnic groups.  This gave us the realization that issues such as age, gender.race and class not only affected the way in which the society function but they also contributed to the Caribbean identity. The question is should we communicate in our native tongue?

What is Identity, or better yet what is a Caribbean Identity? The differences in ethnic group and cultural diversities led to what we know as a diaspora. Caribbean people usually categorize themselves as being a part of various institutions this creation group identities.

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When Ayti was changed to Haiti, they became the first known Caribbean republic. The Haitian Revolution was so impactful because according to the Black Jacobins, it was a revolution from below. The revolution in 1791 was a major accomplishment as it was the Caribbean region's first successful plunge as an independent nation, with an independent identity. Examining this artifact we were able to understand that the success of the Haitian Revolution was due to their brilliance, determination and power of the enslaved

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The tutorial question entry was submitted on the 28th of November. Not only was the selected unit engaging but it allowed for us to further analyse the impacts of US imperialism in the Caribbean.

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As people try to understand themselves and create an identity what we see emerging is double consciousness where persons get torn into different directions, and for instance, in our group some of us identified ourselves as being Caribbean people but we are still associated with the mother country, Africa. Sometimes what result is that persons try to identify with other homelands and create imperialism.
In the Caribbean this is a m,major issue.
In an article in the Daily Gleaner, dated January2nd, 1945, industries reaffirm that the U S imperialism has a huge impact in the Caribbean such as the movie industry, music, fashion and services. Cultural imperialism has led to the idea that what is foreign is good.