Britaney Reid

Caribbean studies

Essay topic: Describe what is meant by Caribbean identity and show how and why that concept

varies from place to place within the Caribbean and its diaspora.

What is meant by the saying " to have a Caribbean identity"? Some would describe it as

being physically located in the Caribbean while others would go as far as to say it is having

African ancestry. Before we touch on this topic there are keywords such as Caribbean identity,

Caribbean, and diaspora we must define. Caribbean identity- this is related to how Caribbean

immigrants maintain and express their cultural practices despite living hundreds, if not thousands

of miles away from their homelands. Caribbean-A group of islands and mainland territories in

the same region most of which are washed by the Caribbean sea or the Atlantic ocean being

located on various plates such as the Caribbean plate, Nazca plate, Cocos plate, and South

American plate, territories which were priorly owned by a European nation resulting in the

different political systems existing in the region. Diaspora-is a group of migrants who have a

homeland in another part of the world to which they have an emotional attachment. Factors such

as having a connection with the Caribbean culture, sports, diaspora, or being geographically

located in the Caribbean and sharing a similar historical background boast one's Caribbean

identity. This essay will dive further into what is meant by Caribbean identity and how it varies

from place to place within the Caribbean.

Geographically, a country is identified as a part of the Caribbean if it is washed by the

Caribbean sea, but this statement is incorrect. Look at countries like Barbados and Guyana, are
they washed by the Caribbean sea? No.What about mainland territories like Nicaragua,

Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, and Venezuela, do their people identify as being a

part of the Caribbean? No. This shows that having a Caribbean identity goes deeper than what it

is geographically identified as. Countries like Barbados and Guyana share historical political and

cultural significance as countries that are conventionally identified as the Caribbean. This

resulted in these nations being a part of The Caribbean Community and Common Market. Even

though this however being geographically located in the Caribbean has its significance. What is

the Caribbean mostly known for? Its bright sun, sandy beaches, coral reefs, and luscious

rainforest which is enjoyed by its locals and tourists who view the region as a vacation hot spot.

This region is a tropical region where all territories have similar weather patterns such as the dry

season between January and May, the wet season between June and December, and even the

disastrous hurricane season between June to November. And let's not forget one thing all

Caribbean nations can identify with is never getting snow or experiencing the four types of

seasons: winter, summer, fall, autumn, and spring. A territory being washed by the Caribbean

cannot be used to identify whether a county is a part of the Caribbean but that aspect of

similarities in climatic conditions helps to bring territories together in fostering a Caribbean

identity.

There is a large Diaspora of people who identify themselves as being Caribbean. These

persons associate themselves with countries such Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago,

Haiti, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, etc. where they were either originally from or have

ancestors from. Some of these persons weren't even born in the region but because of their

parental background, they identify themselves as being a part of the region. According to

Google, there are more than 8.8 million people who were born in the Caribbean or reported
ancestry of a given country in the Caribbean living in the United States of America. An example

of said persons would be Robyn Fenty widely known as Rihanna and also Onika Tanya Maraj-

Petty commonly known as Nicki Minaj. Even though both ladies moved away from their

respective countries of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago they still identify themselves as being

a part of the Caribbean. Both of them continue to have deep ties in their country with even Ms.

Fenty becoming a national hero of Barbados as of 2021. The Caribbean diaspora resulted in

many cities in the USA being heavily influenced by Caribbean natives. This includes Miami,

New york city, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Fort Lauderdale, Queens, etc which comprises

large amounts of Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Jamaicans, Antiguans, Bajans, St.Lucians,

Guyanese, Trinidadians, Haitians, etc. This large diaspora in the USA provides persons moving

from the Caribbean to America to feel as if their home when they move into these Caribbean

communities because of the "vibes" these places have. The Caribbean diaspora carries with them

a Caribbean identity that anyone can spot out their Caribbean lineage.

Culture is defined as the ideas, customs, and social behavior of people or society. An

important aspect of the Caribbean is its Culture. The reason communities in the United States are

said to have a Caribbean feeling is because of the Caribbean culture that the immigrants have

brought in. They have brought their language, food, music, artistry, and humor which are an

integral part of fostering that Caribbean identity. No matter which island you go to the people

will sound different whether it is a different language like Cuba, the Dominican Republic

speaking Spanish, Haiti and Guadeloupe speaking french or just Jamaicans, Barbados, Trinidad

speaking English. Even through this the language of the people still varies through their different

accents of speaking patois like the Jamaicans, Trinidadians, french creoles like Haitians, and

Guyanese creole like the Guyanese. The people of the Caribbean also have different menu
favorites with the national dish in jamaica being Ackee and saltfish, Barbados cou-cou and flying

fish, Guyana pepperpot, Trinidad and Tobago Callaloo, and The Bahamas Conch. The Caribbean

is a group of people that love all aspects of food and very much love their seasoning having

different ways of preparing dishes. These aspects of language and food are the ones the people

carry with them abroad allowing them to be identified as being a part of the Caribbean. Many

people have even opened up restaurants abroad catering to their favorite Caribbean cuisines such

as the Jamaican beef patty. This provides a feel of the Caribbean from abroad for Caribbean

natives and also introduces the region's culture to those who are interested. Festivities like the

reggae sumfest, and Carnival also help to foster Caribbean identity. Persons of the Caribbean

diaspora see it fitting to come yearly to these events or even replicate said events in their area

outside the region because of their need to feel at home and enjoy themselves. These aspects of

the Caribbean culture vary across the island, but their similarities make the region seem where

they are expressed at home or abroad.

Music is a main aspect of Caribbean culture but because it is such a large topic it is

considered to be its own factory to promote Caribbean identity. The Caribbean has a wide array

of music including ska, reggae, Kumina, dancehall and lovers rock from jamaica, Calypso and

soca from Trinidad and Tobago, chante mas from Dominica, shanto from Guyana, compas and

meringue from Haiti, plus many more that were not listed. The widespread love for Caribbean

music has resulted in many Caribbean artists receiving Grammy awards. An example of said

artists is Jimmy Cliff, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Bunny Wailer, Shaggy, Beenie man,

Damian Marley, and Sean Paul. The knowderiety of some artistS even goes further than that of

the grammy because Bob marly did not receive one but he is known throughout the Caribbean

territories its diaspora and even by persons who have no ties with the Caribbean. This
widespread love of Caribbean music throughout its diaspora has allowed for the worldwide

success of artists to be able to win prestigious awards, to be able to tour around the globe like

Spice and Destra Garcia, and even allows for artists to be advertising their music abroad like

Maskica. This love for music facilitates that Caribbean identity where festivities such as Reggae

sumfest and carnival are raved by many internationals coming back to their homeland to enjoy

themselves through the music. Many people feel a sense of belonging when they listen back to

this music. It reminds them of what it is like back home for those who have moved away, gives

those who have ancestry in the Caribbean an idea of what their ancestral home is like and

reminds people of the expressiveness of the language. These people gain pride in the region

because of the success of Caribbean music. Music is what brings a lot of people together and it is

what brings all Caribbean persons together in unity and pride parading their Caribbean identity.

What brings people together better than sports? That feeling of standing in front of

your television cheering on an Olympian is one that all Caribbean nationals have felt. Watching

someone from your region or country competing in the Olympics makes you feel proud to be in

the Caribbean. This prideful feeling is what we recognize as having a Caribbean identity. Every

four years we have the honor of watching many Caribbean nationals competing. These nations

are from countries such as Jamaica, Cuba, The Bahamas, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados,

etc. Over the years Cuba has accumulated a mass of 233 medals ranging from competing in

events such as boxing wrestling, jubo, fencing, and athletics. Jamaica with 88 Olympic medals in

athletics and cycling, Trinidad and Tobago with 19 medals in athletics, weightlifting, and

swimming, The Bahamas with 16 medals in athletics and sailing, the Dominican Republic with

12 medals, and Puerto Rico with 10 medals. Even though the Caribbean is mostly known for its

athletics the region has represented itself in a lot more sporting events showing how versatile the
region is. This popularity of sports in the region has allowed for acts like Usain Bolt, Elain

Thompson herrah and Shelly-ann Fraser-Pryce to be known worldwide receiving endorsements

from brands like Nike and Adidas. The worldwide support is a result of pride spreading through

the Caribbean territories, its diaspora, and the worldwide support from spectators. Caribbean

identity is brought out in the region and diaspora through the love of sports which can bring

people together wanting to represent their country and region.

Caribbean identity can vary from place to place within the Caribbean and its diaspora

through the gaze of culture, sports, music, diaspora, and geography. Aspects of culture, sports,

music, diaspora, and geography vary from place to place within the Caribbean but its similarities

in how people enjoy and celebrate it brings them together.