CARIBBEAN CIVILIZATIONS (FOUN1101)

 

GROUP ORANGE PORTFOLIO

 

SEMESTER 1 2016/17

 

GROUP MEMBERS:

 

Philcia George-Pierre

Monique Nesbeth

Roshella Martin

Shern McFarlane

Abel Ochaeta

The present building was constructed in the 1920’s by Capt. Rayal Bodden. This church is reminiscence of the importance of the introduction of religion in the Caribbean as mentioned in unit 7. 
Had it not been for the course Caribbean Civilization I would not have understood the significance of Religion and Churches and how they have significantly influenced and shape our lives.

Each society has a patron Saint on whose feast day the Grande Fete is celebrated. The Roses hold their celebrations on August 30th, the feast of St. Rose de Lima while the Marguerites celebrate theirs on October 17, the feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacocque. These elaborate and colourful events are celebrated with folk dances, including the Quadrille, the Mappa and the Belair and are preceded by several months of nightly singing rehearsals called "séances".  Strict protocol is observed at those nightly séances with visitors or participating members, upon entering, bowing to the King and Queen present with their court.  The structure of the two societies is hierarchically structured with a king and queen and other dignitaries patterned upon the socio-economic structure of colonial society. Thus, after the king and queen, came the princes and princesses, and a number of other professional personnel, including judges, policemen, doctors and nurses.

Each of the two societies tries to outdo each other in pomp and pageantry and go all out to put on their best performances, even trading barbs and witticisms to be the winner of this peaceful war of flowers

The central figure at the séances is the “Shatwel” or leadsinger who sustains the spirit and tenor of the entertainment. Most groups have one outstanding “shatwel”. They are usually female. On the actual day of the festival all members of the society dress in the finery of their respective roles and march to Church for a service which precedes their parade through the streets before returning to the hall for their feasting or “grande fête.”

I choose this festival since it is one of the festivals which inspires me most, I enjoyed the songs from both groups, although i am affliated to the La Maguerite group. It is a lively festival there is never a dull moment and it has a huge cultural impact on the St Lucian society, since songs makes reference to historical aspects.

 

I choose to complete this activity because after reading the short passage I realized that it is a reality happening not only in the Caribbean but the world. I choose to discuss how education, sexual orientation, politics and gender gives you an identity. 

Your level of education forms part of your identity; persons who attend universities are seen as the elite bourgeoisies in society whilst one with only primary school education is seen as the lower class. A person who studies to become a doctor is seen as good in society they are given the identity of being a hard worker whilst a person who has only a primary level of education is seen as lazy. 

Your sexual orientation also establishes your identity. Being straight is seen as the norm in society, whilst being a homophobic is frown upon. Your identity is formed based on whether or not you follow the institutionalized standards of society. For example a person who is known to be homophobic is seen as nasty and is often subjected to discrimination and violence.

Your gender activity establishes your identity. A female is seen as a nurturer and a male is seen as a worker. A female primarily are seen in childcare and nursing jobs whilst males a seen in jobs such as construction. From birth identities are being form. Girls are given dolls to mature the nurturing skills and boys trucks to build them to be hard workers. 

Socialization and social institutions such as churches and schools help influence a person’s identity. A national identification card indeed does not define ones identity. Various factors help define an individuals identity.