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CARIBBEAN IDENTITY BASED             ON RELIGION

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CARIBBEAN IDENTITY BASED             ON RELIGION

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RASTAFARIANISM AND THE CARIBBEAN IDENTITY VIA LIFESTYLE

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RASTAFARIANISM AND THE CARIBBEAN IDENTITY VIA LIFESTYLE

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This movement began in Jamaica, though it has since spread throughout the Caribbean, in fact, practitioners can be found around the globe. It began in 1932 when Ras Tafari became Emperor of Ethiopia. While most of their  beliefs are considered Christian, the Rastafarian movement associates Africa with heaven. Believers are said to return to Africa after their death, though the precise manner in which this occurs is not known  this gives the opportunity to employ spiritual movement, while others feel it is almost like reincarnation. the Rastafarian movement also draws from Creolized Jamaican beliefs in Obeah and Myal, spiritual practices that associate the world of the living with the world of the dead.

It is in this sense that Rastafarianism is associated with various myths. The lifestyle of a Rastafarian is one of peace, love and purity. Staying away from meat as it harms the body which is seen as the temple. There is also the known dreadlock hairstyle which is also associated with the body as a temple hence it isn’t cut. Its is also in accordance with their biblical beliefs whereby women wear floor length dresses and cover their hair during religious practices.

In summary it is seen that the lifestyle of Rastafarianism is one that shaped Caribbean identity. Originated in a Caribbean country while being dispersed throughout the Diaspora. Its practices greatly influence lifestyle choices such as dress see figure 1.and diet and the basic outlook on life. Figure 1 Women dressed in traditional Rastafarian garb.

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In current times the advent of the religious terrorist group called ISIS has used the religion of Islam to plague other religions through heinous criminal acts. This has by no means followed the doctrines of Islam however the terrorist group used the religion as a guise to follow through with their harmful behaviour and crime.

Islam was introduced into the Caribbean through plantation slavery. Although this religion and its practices were well practiced in Africa, after years of enslavement and European rule religion was almost wiped out. However few practitioners as well as indenturers from india re-established the religion after slavery ended through acculturation.

Recently however, Islamic practices, symbols but not all their doctrines are employed within this terrorist group. It is therefore wrong to say Islam although similarities exist, is involved with this group of individuals.

Individuals inclusive of Caribbean nationals which follow this religion are also influenced negatively by this. Where in recent times Trinidadian nationals were highlighted for joining the group and engaging in terrorist militant activities.( see link)

In summary it is evident that religion can be acculturated from minority, in the same sense religion can be associated with negative criminal acts which affect both native and Caribbean identity.

http://newsday.co.tt/news/0,240167.html

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Caribbean identity based on religion is recognised as the  outward doctrines institutionalised by Europeans upon descendants of the Tainos and Caribs. With Roman Catholism being the primary religious practice at the time of the rule of the Spaniards in the seventeenth century Christianity became the factor at which society was built on. Meaning there was the urge to concert the locals from their native practices to a saved form, known as the salvation of the souls. This was done through evangelism however a language barrier between both parties hindered this. Hence roman catholism, Anglicanism and Presbyterian doctrines were the founding religions instilled within the Caribbean society through education.

With reference to Roman Catholism the segregation of boys and girls in the education system can be dated back to its introduction into the Caribbean. See figure 1 the photo of San Fernando boys Roman Catholic Primary school shows this segregation. Dating back to the formation of Caribbean societies due to social norms it was believed that education was more important for boys than girls and the variation in the curriculum was based on sex as boys were exposed to woodwork and arithmetic while girls were shown needlework.

With the advent of British rule Anglicanism was introduced and played a role in education. Popularly known as the Church of England., it was institutionalised within the Caribbean with the start of schools open to both African descendants as well as any other denomination and race.

The Presbyterian doctrines also followed the wave of Anglicanism. Built on the foundation of the red cross, missionaries introduced these doctrines into the Caribbean. One such missionary was Rev. Kenneth J. Grant of Nova Scotia who founded the first secondary school on the island of Trinidad as well as the Grant Memorial Presbyterian primary school in the city of San Fernando, (see figure 2).

In summary the exposure to the history of the advent of educational institutions through religion was learnt. This was seen through both past and present structures of education, that is, schools. There was also the influence of various ruling parties and their religious backgrounds which built Caribbean identity through society.

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Within the Caribbean the influence of music has had various forms. Through a religious perspective the religion of Hinduism has had great impacts on the building of Caribbean identity. Indo-Caribbeans were introduced due to indentured labour systems on sugar plantations. As such many traditions stemmed from the native East Indian culture such as worship of deities within temples, bright clothing and traditional songs known as bhajans and instruments such as the sitar, dholak, dhantal and and tabla, used in religious practices such as bhajans.

Indo- Trinidadian music was influenced through hindi  in the form of chutney music. Highlighted through the fast paced tempos and percussions; chutney is a uniquely displayed form of  mostly southern Caribbean identity which fused the tradition language and instruments of  native hindu religion into a Caribbean form of expression. Chutney music is a reflection on the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, its blending of Indian, Western and African elements is a representation of the backgrounds that are mixed together to form the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Sundar Popo was a pioneer of chutney music, famous for first blending chutney with calypso and soca and increasing the popularity of the genre. The instruments used in chutney were those that were approved for women to play, making chutney becoming viewed as a woman's music genre. This has solified the influence both tradition and geographical location has on  the evolution of music through certain religions, in particular  Hinduism.

In evaluating the influence of religion on Caribbean identity; the use of instruments through Hinduism was seen. Via this outlet the creation of unique forms such as chutney was created which solidified the  indo-Caribbean identity. See the link below to view a demonstration of chutney music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z93ILbKbxa4