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Blair, Erik. “Higher Education Practice in Trinidad and Tobago and the Shadow of Colonialism.” Journal of Eastern Caribbean Studies, vol. 38, no. 3, Sept. 2013, pp. 85–92. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b7h&AN=100442312&site=ehost-live.

Boufoy-Bastick, Béatrice, and Savrina Chinien. ‘Caribbean Dynamics : Re-Configuring Caribbean Culture.’ Ian Randle Publishers, 2015.

Jonathan M. Katz, Troi Anderson. “Explore the Timeless World of Vodou, Deep Within the Caves of Haiti.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 July 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/explore-timeless-world-vodou-haiti-180963673/.

Mustapha, Nasser. Sociology for Caribbean Students. Vol. Second edition, Ian Randle Publishers, 2013.

Yelvington, Kevin A. Caribbean Crucible: History, Culture, and Globalization, www.socialstudies.org/sites/default/files/publications/se/6402/640201.html.

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Carnival in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
https://thecaribbeancamera.com/mas-in-trinidad-carnival-2020-traditional-mas/

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By: Amilcar Sanatan
Full Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0iv-hUsQTs&t=4s

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Are we all really one? The Caribbean is usually seen as a unit; the in-group. Territories outside the region classify countries within the Caribbean as one, since there are many factors that contribute to their shared characteristics. But, what is the Caribbean? What entails being a Caribbean entity? The region has many definitions that answer the aforementioned questions. The Caribbean can be historically defined as the western countries that have experienced slavery, indentureship, colonialism and imperalism. On the other hand, the geographical definition states that it consists of territories that are washed by the Caribbean Sea; Caribbean Basin. Of course, there are some states that are excluded from that explanation of what is required to be a part of the West Indies. Plus, there is the political aspect, recognizing the states that have shared political institutions. It must be noted that the region has endured great oppression by hegemonic territories. Though, it has been triumphing and overcoming through independence and liberation. One will examine and analyse the extent of unity within the Caribbean, through the history of religion, education and culture, with respect to identity.

https://www.westindiansocialclub.org/cultural-preservation/2015/12/caribbean-countries-flags-embassy-services/

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To begin, it is known that the Caribbean is multi-religious. Varying religious dogmas have passed through and influenced the region. Being victims of colonialism has contributed to this phenomenon, since people of various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds came during the slavery period. This began with the Arrival of Columbus, which caused Roman Catholicism to be the first religion that was taught. The Spanish forced the indigenous people to change their beliefs through the Encomienda System in the early sixteenth (16th) century (Mustapha, 172). On the plantation, religion was determined by the parent state of the colony. This added further diversity to the region as different European countries had different beliefs.

Another contribution to religious pluralism came from the slaves themselves. Various West Africans came from multiple territories of the continent, transmitting the knowledge of their respective origins. Yet, their practices were seen as heathen and pagan. As a result, there were strict rules set for slaves on the plantation which prohibited the use of their native religious practices. Despite this, some slaves continued to practice their original beliefs to maintain connection with Africa and to resist the influence of the Europeans. Currently, Trinidad and Tobago celebrates Shouter Baptist Holiday, which commemorates the abolition of the Shouters Prohibition Ordinance 1917. This law prevented those of the faith from practicing or engaging in their belief. Some African religions are still present today; Vodou in Haiti being one of them (Katz; Mustapha, 174).

Though there were differences among religions, there were also commonalities. Consequently, this created a merge between practices and new religions were formed through assimilation and intercultural processes (Mustapha, 171). This is seen as following Brathwaite’s Creole Society Theory. One must admit that it fails to recognize that each individual country has challenges with variations in their society. There must be an acknowledgement of differences in the Caribbean that the people may not accept. In contemporary society, religious prejudice and discrimination is prevalent in the region (Mustapha, 179). Religions that oppose (not acquainted) Christian faiths are often biased. One sees this as a barrier to integration among Caribbean territories. Smith’s Plural Society Thesis argued that groups in society are, in fact, different. Hence, religion separates the region which subsequently enhances ethnocentrism. One can postulate that the Caribbean is not united as there is the presence of diversity and religious segregation.

https://www.iitae.tech/course/csec-religious-education-christianity/

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During the Pre-Emancipation era, the enslaved were not allowed to receive an education. This was a consequence to planters wanting to keep them at the bottom of the class hierarchy, and maintain the status quo (Mustapha, 192). This would have been a preventative strategy against revolts and a reason to maximize their profits. On that account, a similarity between the majority of the Caribbean societies is that slaves were allowed to garner in religious knowledge in the Amelioration period (Mustapha, 192).

In the Post-Emancipation era, the education system had developed and the newly freed slaves were allowed to have an education in the Anglophone Caribbean. In spite of this, the presence of limitations remained at hand. Some were prevented from accessing schooling because of economical and social factors (Mustapha, 192). Religion was prevalent in the educational system during this time. The Europeans converged these two systems. This was done to control and remind students of moral conduct as it shapes their actions for society. So, some religious institutions have opened schools, which followed their curriculum of schooling. It is common in contemporary society.

Primary schools taught various skills to schools. Boys and girls were often separated to different learning tasks, as the former was seen as the breadwinner of the family. Low punctuality was prominent due to the financial challenges the families had. Notwithstanding that the schooling sector had improved after Independence. In this time, the Caribbean had a sense of unity as educational institutions helped amalgamate the region. The University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Examination Council were both established in the years 1948 and 1972, respectively. In one’s point of view, these organizations gave rise to the unification of the West Indies because it symbolizes an identity; sense of belonging. People no longer have to attend schools that are dominated by the Europeans. Besides, colonial education is not completely beneficial to West Indians, as some of the knowledge is not applicable to the region. Curriculums now include topics about the Caribbean. Though, colonial education is still around to this day. Unfortunately, it has influenced the educational system resulting in the representation of another country’s identity. It is only recently one has had a better awareness of the eurocentric thoughts that made one oblivious to one’s true identity. Yet, metropolitan countries maintain their supremacy over the Caribbean region. So, it is struggling to emancipate itself from domination of outer states and portray its own image.

According to Blair, in the case of Trinidad and Tobago, the country should set itself free “from the shadow of colonial rule” by identifying it as an issue (Blair, 87). Therefore, one believes that the region should dismiss the replication of colonial policies that have impacted on its identity; liberation. In order to truly unite as one, the region should realize its local culture and history, so that it can be bonded together (Blair, 87). One is of the perception that the Caribbean has aimed to become a union, but has obstacles which hinder the process.

https://www.facebook.com/MyCXC/photos/a.449078593149/10156312416423150/?type=1&theater

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There has been difficulty to construct one universal definition of the West Indies. The region has endured various challenges from varying European countries. It has been influenced by metropolitan territories religiously, educationally and culturally. Consequently, this has impacted on the identity of the region, as it champions for a sense of belonging. The more the religious aspect of the Caribbean diversifies, the more problematic it becomes to have unity. In conclusion, it can be noted that the member states are in fact united culturally, but have yet to overcome barriers that obstruct the progress, with reference to religious practices and education. Therefore, the Caribbean is one in some aspects, but is divided in others. The region must address these issues resulting from colonialism and other historical events that may have interfered with development as an integrated entity.

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Culture is the way of life and can be considered a form of social interaction; how people behave with each other in their environment. The culture of the Caribbean derives from the agonizing history of its people. The influence of colonial powers has conditioned the minds of West Indians. Caribbean people have been attempting to free the mental and cultural captivity of the Europeans, so that a creole identity can be generated. Though it may seem like a harsh experience, the region is blessed with cultural diversity. The islands are compact with a wide range of cultural activities, which emphasizes their distinction from the outer world. It is evident that culture is ever changing and transforming. In other words, variations of cultures have led to the formation of new ones in the Caribbean. According to Orlando Patterson, this has been able to occur because of segmentary and  synthetic creolization.

The region is known for its unique music such as Reggae, which was developed in Jamaica. Another popular genre in the Caribbean is Soca, which originated in Trinidad and Tobago and is known to be a diluted form of Calypso. Some of these have helped to make West Indians aware of the problems they have faced in their society and even as a Caribbean unit. Few artists that have added to the international spread of these local genres include Bob Marley, Calypso Rose, and Celia Cruz (Yelvington, 1). Additional songs have been created due to a mixture of cultures like Chutney Soca, Salsa and Merengue (Yelvington, 1). The region is also known for its special festivals, like Carnival, which was created during slavery. In the late eighteenth (18th) century, French planters hosted masquerade balls and the enslaved mimicked by having street parades. Certainly, this spectacular festivity has evolved and is currently a form of entertainment. Likewise, Barbados Crop Over is an event that developed through slavery.

Another pertinent point of culture in the region involves politics. In the late twentieth (20th) century, the region endeavoured in creating regional integration through the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas (Boufoy-Bastick, xi). In 1973, the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) was established, which created the political consolidation of member states. This was said to be a great step towards a Caribbean identity on the global level (Boufoy-Bastick, xi).

According to Kevin Yelvington, various aspects of Caribbean identity, that were ascribed from metropolitan states, have affected the region; eurocentrism. As a result it “has suffered from a lack of unity”. Similarly, Boufoy-Bastic et al. (2) posit that the region is separated individually and is presently disparate. One completely disagrees with this notion. Even though the region has experienced similar historical events from different states of various cultures, it can still be seen as a whole. This multi-cultural phenomena in the West Indies has identified the Caribbean as one. It has also given other states a certain perception of the area. The Caribbean has a picture that consists of smaller, diverse images, resulting in a collage. Yet, in reality, the collection of cultural traditions emit one picture. Therefore, the region is made of different cultural backgrounds and acknowledges itself as one. That is what makes the region, ‘the Caribbean’. With that being said, this agrees with Brathwaite’s Creole Society Theory. One will assert that the region is united culturally.

http://guyanachronicle.com/2017/02/16/history-of-caricom