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 Imperialism and Colonialism
 Neocolonialism and Post-Colonialism
 Influence of Extra-Regional Countries on the
Caribbean.
 Consumption patterns
 Creative Expression
 Politics
 Migration
 Sports
 Tourism
Since the time of Columbus, the
Caribbean has been involved in
interaction with Europe and more
recently US and Canada.
These countries are known as
'Western Countries', 'the West' or
'Metropolitan Countries'.
The interaction was an early form
of Globalization.
However the relationship
between there countries are
grossly imbalanced.
The influence of these Western
Countries on Caribbean society
and culture and visa versa.
 The age of imperialism began with the coming of
the Europeans who conquered the lands and
peoples and established colonies.

 Imperial powers ruled through a combination of

military might; fear; and deliberate psychological
conditioning.
ëuring colonialism, European attitudes,
ways of life, dress, language, arts and
political systems became hegemonic in
the Caribbean.
The colony became apart of Europe ( it
was not allowed to have its own national
identity).
Regarded as periphery part of Europe.
 Memmi (1991) cited about the relationship between
the colonizers and the colonized:
The relationship was one of 

The relationship was based on racism
Those who ruled were ordinary in Europe but superior in
the colonies.
Their culture was regarded as superior.
They suppressed and showing of creativity and self
sufficiency amongst the colonized.
School curriculum reflected the culture of the colonizers.
The history of the colonized was regarded as 'other'.
(marginalized)Õ
Some of the colonized became like the colonizers because
it made more sense to them. (Survival)Õ
They were rewarded minor and middle positions in civil
service and professional jobs ( teaching, law, medicine).
They suppressed their own people bu emulating and
promoting a position where European ways was the 'right
way'
 Independence and nationhood are debatable concepts
in Caribbean reality.

 ëominant attitudes, cultural form, modes of dress

educational , religious and judicial systems and
trading pattern have great retention of the metropole
and not the periphery.
The legacy of the colonizers are still
hegemonic.
The current structures in the global
economy threaten independence and
sovereignty.
Multinational Companies (MNCs) head
quarters in the metropole repatriate huge
profit from the the region.
 WTO trading regulations and practices are mostly in
favour of Western countries.

 The ëominance of the West in the trading industries,

manufacturing and Information and communications
technologies (ITCs) means that Caribbean are mostly
importers of goods and services.

 This leads to an imbalance in trading relationship.

 The relationship between the ex-colonizers and ex-
colonized is described as Neocolonialism.
 Western countries continue to wield cultural
hegemony via the media ( cable television).
 Western countries wield economic hegemony
through the policies of MNCs , the WTO and the
dominance of ITCs.
 Caribbean countries are thus in a perpetual state of
dependency- very similar to the colonial era
(neocolonialism).
 The debate: whether we should conform to the
western ideals of development or make our own.
 In the Caribbean the more affluent , the
technologically inclined and those who value
western life style will be using the same technology
as are used in the US, watching the same news and
cable programmes, being fans of the same R& B or
hip hop artiste and probably also dressing the same
way.
 Post-colonial society is a term used to describe how
neocolonial relationships of continued dominance
and subjugation affect people in ex-colonies.
 The post colonial stance condemns activities and
attitudes that maintain neocolonial relationships
and examines how eurocentic ideas, philosophies
and ways of life are perpetuated, resisted and
recreated in the ex-colonies.
 This
is where Western values and beliefs are melted
with Caribbean traditions or other combinations and
stance.
Extra-Regional Countries Influence of the Caribbean
Culture and Society.
 PostColonial theory shows how the dominance of
the West is perpetuated, resisted or creatively
integrated into Caribbean society and culture by
interaction between metropole and periphery and
and by the mechanism of socialization.
 Europe and more recently the US have profoundly
influence consumption patterns in the Caribbean.
 The skewed economic relationship create and
encourages dependency.
 Most goods and service consumed in the Caribbean
originate from the West.
 ThePost Colonial theory postulates that
consumption patterns are the way there are
because of the following
è People in the Caribbean value more what comes from
'foreign' eg, clothes , music, technology and ideas.
1.People in the Caribbean are extremely obsessed with the
importance of being modern. People sees the Western
material and non material culture as being modern thus,
they demand the latest innovation fashion, movies, music,
and personalities that are 'happening' in the Western world
now.
 Building of social Capital: more people prefer the bran
name clothings and to be in the high fashion of the US and
Europe. Those especially among our young people who
cannot afford the luxury are ridiculed.
ÿ Many argue that the Caribbean does not offer and competitive
alternative and therefore they maintain what the trend demands.
1.There is a universal feeling that the US is a 'must see'
destination and even an 'only see'. It is even said that to
have a US visa, even a holiday visa is a prestigious status
symbol.
 WhileCaribbean creative expressions are unique in
themselves, they show strong influence of extra-
regional countries, namely those of the European
colonizers.
 Western Countries have influenced our festivals:
 Holy Festivals: that came from the Roman Catholics
and the Anglican church.
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: now are celebrated in tandem with the

images seen in the media- highly commercialized.

 ¦
 :Corpus Christe, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday and All

Souls ëay. These are observed in US and Britain.

 alentine'sday
 Old years night / new years eve.
 These are perpetuated by foreign media.
Mother's ëay
Father's ëay
Halloween

All are greatly influenced and packaged by US culture via the
media (Cable Television).
 Caribbean music is known for its resistant themes,
undoubtedly spring from the regions history of
oppression- Colonialism, bonded labour and social
stratification.
 The most successful musical forms generated by the
British Caribbean are Reggae, Calypso and
Steelband.
 Originated the the tenement yards of Jamaica and
among the shanty towns and urban poor in T&T
respectfully.
 Reggae music has a universal appeal because it has
a message of resistance, defiance and hope for a
better tomorrow.
 Reggae offered a message which all persons who
are oppressed in some way can identify.
 It is the identity of the oppressed towards freedom.
 Calypsonians sought to expose the inequities such
as Racism and political oppression and voice
alternative opinions to that of the colonial politics
run by the Roman Catholic Church.
 Calypso was the means whereby the poor and the
powerless could resist and ridicule the highest
authority.
 Reggae and its various form (ëancehall,
Ragamuffin) and calypso and its various forms(soca,
ringband, chutney soca, rapso, raggasoca) evolved
in response to the demand from the younger
generation for musical forms and styles that
identified with world youth culture and music.
 In the Caribbean theatre arts include cultural forms
presented in open air or any suitable place.
 Traditional dances, limbo, stick fights, folk singing,
chanting, drumming and story telling.
 And the rituals associated with wakes, wedding
ceremonies, carnivals and Jankunno.
 These programmes combine drama and dance in a
stage setting whether formal or informal, planned
or spontaneous.
 The arts we enjoy relegated from the colonial era
and was taken to the street during festivals and
celebrations.
 Plays, dramatic performance, pantomimes and
musical productions were modelled after Bristish
and American.
 After independence there was an emancipation of
logical creative arts__ the indigenous way.
 The Extra-Regional countries influence was very
evident in our creative arts in allot of what is
largely Caribbean was stifled.
 The debate that O was too difficult to
understand, was the premise on which it was
tabooed in theatre. They embraced standard
English.
 ‰et more people lobbied for the use of patois
because it was a Caribbean expression.
 Many of the our famous writers and playwrights felt
compelled to leave the Caribbean.
 The West presented opportunities for them to
develop their skills and talents and gain the
recognition worth of world appreciation.
 The west played and important role in their growth
and development by the exposure to training and
opportunities to do what they do best.
 Culinary arts in the Caribbean show a high degree
of creative adaptation of food traditions of Europe,
Africa, India, China and the Pre-columbian people.
 Fusion is at the art of culinary practices in the
Caribbean.
 Salt
Fish or Cod Fish is a staple across the
Caribbean:

ÿ Jamaica- Ackee and Saltfish

ÿ St incent- Roast Breadfruit and saltfish

ÿ Antigua- ëuckanoo and saltfish

 Saltfish was imported from Canada to feed the
slaves hence its retention in Caribbean diet.

 

 that were not considered consumable

were used to feed the slaves. Also allot of   
 
  was used during slavery.
 In
the Caribbean today, many of these animal parts
have become delicacies in our diets:
 In Barbados: Pig foot, skin, ears, and face are

important ingredients in souse.

 In Jamaica: Salt beef and pig tail in stew peas and

peas soup

Red herring, chicken foot for soup, fish head for
fish tea,

Goat belly and head for manish water.

Cow tripe for tripe and beans.
 Oxtail is a delicacy in Jamaica and is very
expensive.
 Once deemed only for slave consumption, these
foods have undergone centuries of blending with
different flavours and spices to produce some of
the favourate foods of Caribbean people in all walks
of life.
 Itis debatable whether Britain influence is alive in
the cooking traditions of Jamaica, Barbados,
Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
 Caribbean cooking is usually spicy which comes
from the Caribs, Africans and Indians:
 Eg: curries, jerk pork/chicken,escovitch fish,
chutney and pepper pot.
 Only some foods are from Britain eg. Irish potato.
 Britain habit of drinking tea still remains with us.

 Britain have traditionally use sauces and gravies

made separately from their dishes.

 Caribbean people have retain this practice but

more commonly they make the gravy or sauce an
integral part of the cooking process.
 British
retention can be seen in our love for
porridge for breakfast:
 Corn meal Porridge
 Rice Porridge
 Banana Porridge
 Plantain Porridge
 Flour Porridge
 The introduction of technology from the North has
influence culinary practice in the Caribbean:
Baking usually was done from scratch, now is replaced by
Pillsbury and Betty Crocker pre- mix baters.
The medium for baking has been change from the coal
stove: {
 
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to the use of ovens and

microwaves.
 We have adopted appliance and culinary practice
that are advertise in the media, for example,
frozen foods etc.
 Other things are pre-done such as hams, cakes and
we have adopted cookies as apart of our
confectioneries.
 Fast foods have supplemented the diets of busy
Caribbean people_ adopting the culture of the
West.
 The junk food phenomena has earned loyalty among
our young people.
 Fast food chains from the US are well represented
and profitable in the Caribbean: J 


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 There are negative effect on the health and life
expectancy in the Caribbean.

 Home cooking however is not dying as many

Jamaicans are adamant to have rice and pea and
chicken on Sundays.
 Model of government: Westminister System
 Head of government: Prime Minister
 Called: Constitutional Monarch
 There is no SEPARATION OF POWERS between the
executive and legislature.
 Head of state: Governor General ² Ceremonial role.
Jamaica, Belize and Barbados.
T&T, Guyana and ëominica -Republican forms of govt with
a president with Ceremonial roles.
 We adopted the Westminister model unopposed

 Main issues with the system is separation of powers

and the power of the PM.

 It compromises democracy because the PM is too

powerful.
 Solutions:

Constitutional reform

A move to Republican system

A mixture of Republicanism and Westminister system

A traditional practice of Caribbean people
 Aim is to find a better life
 Positive Impacts:
Remittances: second largest industry in Jamaica.
Positive economic growth
 Negative Impacts:
Cultural erasure: people adopting the culture of returning
residence.
Brain drain
Racism and injustice done to migrants (Caribbean
nationals)Õ
 Cricket has dominated sports in the British
Caribbean
 After slavery cricket was a means of maintaining
superiority over the blacks.
 It was only played by 
Club. It was called the



 The game was just for sportsmanship and a
celebration of British Culture.
 The game was stratified according to race and
colour.
 Many Caribbean people tried to change the sports
to fit Caribbean culture and society at it became
more popular.
 A turn came about when the West Indies Cricket
team beat England in 1950- this was a mile stone
for the Caribbean people.
 The sports was then creolized in resistance to
sportsmanship and celebration of British culture.
 Caribbean people resisted the gentleness of the
sports by introducing fast bowling that in most was
terrorized batsmen.

 Calypso was used to confirm the importance of

Cricket to Caribbean society and culture. 1950S
victory went down in carnival style.
 Cricket is now internationalized among
commonwealth countries and has become very
commercialized.

 Millions of dollars of profits and salaries are

garnered by players and investors alike.

 An increase commercial potential is still rising.

 Popular in the Caribbean because of the mass
media
 Attractive to young tall black men
 Caribbean nationals have benefited and gave
recognition: O

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.
 Basketball is fast base (40mins); no room for
boredom unlike cricket that is 1day.
 Scholarships and opportunities encourage strong
support for the game in the Caribbean.
 Has taken the world like storm
 The most popular game today
 Caribbean have not been able to pool a regional
team; but national teams have represented us in
the last 40yrs: Haiti 1974; Reggae Boyz-Jamaica
1997; T&T Soca Warriors 2006.
 Many still seek recognition and scholarship to the
US.
 Many talented Caribbeans hope to assume
prominence in European leagues
 Creates dependency than any other industry.
 The taste and preferences of visitors determine the
tourism product we offer.
 Most tourist come from North America and Europe ²
A boom or recession can affect us directly.
 This is one of the main destination for Europeans
and Americans.
 Manycountries have developed their sector to meet
world-class standard:
Jamaica
Barbados
Antigua
The Bahamas
The irgin Islands
St Lucia
A wave of technology and a environmental
revolution has created changes in the tourism
product Caribbeans offer:

  
:Tourism in keeping with environmentally
sound principle,use of flora and fauna to cater to nature
lovers: Belize, Guyana, ëominica and Suriname.
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: use of adventure to cater to tourist,
Guyana- river rafting and canoeing.

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: associated with water sports, surfing,
scuba diving.

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: use of festival to attract tourist, St
Lucia- Jazz Festival; Jamaica ² Reggae Sun splash.
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:countries are constructing docking
facilities to accommodate major cruise lines:Royal
Caribbean, Princess, Carnival.
 Caribbeanpeople are cashing in on the
opportunities:
 ending at the ports
 Taxi drives and tour guides
 Local businesses such as car rentals
 Restaurants
 Local Arts and Craft shops
 Few Caribbean national own large all inclusive
successful hotels with the exception of Ú

 
.
 
 
 

 On a whole tourism is heavily controlled by foreign

interest, events and even world environmental
lobby.
 Political Influence:
Migration
Narcotics
 Economic Influence:
Trade
Festivals
 Cultural influence:
Caribbean Music
Rastafarianism
Culinary Practices
 Migrants are seriously focused on debates on
immigration policy (US, Canada and Europe).
 Migrants are experience racism and hostility
 The deportation of people back in the Caribbean
has a serious issue to Caribbean government.
 Better policies are tabled for co-operation between
US and Caribbean.
 Caribbean nationals are influencing US politics
The Cuban population in Florida:
 They have formed powerful association: Cuban
American Foundation to enforce the trade
embargo and maintain hard-line force attitude
toward Cuba.
 Caribbean People have attained high position in US
govt to influence policy.
 Many have dual citizenship.
 The inclusion of the diasporic community
involvement in the governance of the Caribbean.