Caribbean - Global Interactions

Lecture module 1: Caribbean Society and Culture Lecturer: Miss Moodie Date: November 10, 2011.
With whom the Caribbean interacted? When was this interaction ? Why the interaction?
Extra- Regional Countries

Europe
United States Canada
When did the interaction start?

Age of Discovery/ Age of Imperialism This is the period that began with the coming of the Europeans to the new world who conquered lands, peoples and established colonies. These European countries were Spain, Britain, France, Germany and Netherlands. Their ruling strategy was that of military might, fear and deliberate psychological conditioning which promotes Euro centrism.
Why the interaction

Extend their borders
Wealth (gold) New trade routes Spread Christianity
Effect of Imperialism
Colonialism (the control or rule of one country by
another usually for economic exploitation) Metropole(mother country political and cultural centre), periphery (the colony) interaction Racism (Europeans were seen as superior) Despite independence (post colonial) now many of our countries still imitate European system of governance and culture. MNCs (companies having headquarters in the metropole) the bulk of their profit goes home.
Influences of extra-regional countries on the Caribbean trade
Consumption Patterns
The Caribbean consumption pattern is highly
influenced by the Europeans and more recently the United States. These first world countries policies on trade have led to the dependency of the Caribbean Territories on European states and more so the United States. Most of our goods and services are taken from the west despite our resistance and creative strategies to reduce the first worlds influence on the Caribbean.
Historical trade
Initially trade relation with the extra-regional
countries in Europe began with the Spains monopoly system which meant close control over colonists trading practices. Under this monopoly all goods and services from the colony had to be exported only to Spain. Also all goods received in the colonies had to be imported only from Spain. Goods were also expected to be carried only by Spanish ships. This monopoly strengthened the rivalry with the European nations which led to illegal trading in the Caribbean by Britain and the Netherlands.
Historical trade cont.

Over a period of time Spain's monopoly was broken.
Trading routes were now controlled by the other European territories such Britain. Like the Spaniards Britain also passed laws such as the Mercantilist laws known as the Navigation Acts of the 1600. During this time Britain did not allow her colonies to manufacture goods because they acted as a source of raw materials for the industrial revolution in Britain.
Modern Consumption Patterns

Reflects historical trading patterns and a state of
dependence.
Main trading partners continued to be with the mother country 2. Especially to the commonwealth, Britain offers preferential treatment/rates of entry into Britain for sugar and bananas. 3. The Caribbean depended on the renewal of these trade agreements more so the Lome Convention of 1973. This helps the ex-colonists agricultural sector that depended heavily on export of their commodities.
1.
Modern Consumption Pattern

Caribbean independence led to serious implications as
imports were affected because of the hike in tariffs. Some goods could only be imported with special licences while others could not be imported at all. Due to our dependent culture in trading or consumption patterns many resorted to illegal trading with restricted items. Globalization at this time was in effect and sought to liberalize trade.
Modern Consumption Pattern

Trade liberalization 1. Lessening of preferential rates given to ACP countries. So the Caribbean began competing with a larger market. 2. Promotes Caribbean consciousness such as buy local. However, our inexperience in manufacturing local goods were too expensive and badly made. Our own locals see this as unfair treatment because foreign goods were cheaper and better yet they were forced to purchase local goods. As a result, the tradition of shopping abroad developed.
Influences of the Caribbean on extra- regional countries trade
Caribbean influence
Migration afforded the Caribbean nationals the
opportunity to tap in the extra- regional countries economy in that they became public transit workers such as nurses. Brain drain where our educated people see United States as the land of opportunity left their own country to benefit the already develop country. Caribbean is the host nation to these developed countries in proving them with a willing and educated work force.
Influences of extra-regional countries on the Caribbean culture.
Festivals
Christmas and Easter stems from Christianity which
was imposed on us during colonialism. Gifts decorations and events are typical of how Europeans celebrate the festival. The presence of mass media increase the presence of secular festivals and celebration in the Caribbean such as Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day and Halloween. Even the very dress code and costumes are influence by Europe a and the US.
Music
Our music is used as a medium for social commentary
to express our past. For example reggae music, calypso originated in Jamaica and Trinidad respectively among the poor. Steel band came into being when carnival was banned during world war two. After the war ended both carnival and steel band became synonymous.
Theatre Arts
Theatre arts is a traditional custom in Britain. From
our interaction the Caribbean has developed a love for theatre arts. Like music it is used as a social commentary depicting and re-enacting past experiences. National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, Pantomime, Mello-go-round etc. Native Patois was not favored in the theatre arts as it was said to be too difficult to understand. As a result English was the prefered choice.
Theatre Arts
Theatre arts include writings such as poetry.
Caribbean writers such Rex Nettleford, Derek Walcott among others wrote with a quest for identity. Therefore theatre arts is not just entertainment it bring to our attention awareness of issues and problems of our society.
Culinary Practices
Our culinary arts displays a high level of adaptation of
the food traditions of Europe, Africa, India China and pre Columbian people. Saltfish dish in Jamaica, St. Vincent and Antigua The use of various body parts of animals as food such as cow face pig heel, goat belly, fish head and ox tail There are also various ways in preparing these foods such curry, jerk, brown stew, roast, boil, fry, soak etc. Drinking tea a British habit now common to us.
Influences of the Caribbean on extra- regional countries culture
Festivals
Trinidad style carnival and reggae and dancehall are
becoming integral in the extra- regional countries like London Notting Hill Carnival, Caribana in Canada and Brooklyn Labour Day Parade (open air festivals that attract many annually. On the other hand, our Jazz and Blue festival and Reggae sumfest also attract visitors from abroad to come to our country.
Music
The steel pan led to an influx of pannists or steelband
men who later settled. Reggae music became popular in US, Africa, Japan and Europe. Recent Collaboration with our Artists so as to incorporate the reggae, dancehall culture in their music.

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What were the main extra-regional countries that interacted with the Caribbean?

When did the interaction between the Caribbean and extra-regional countries start?

Lecture module 1: Caribbean Society and Culture Lecturer: Miss Moodie Date: November 10, 2011.

Extra- Regional Countries

When did the interaction start?

Why the interaction

Influences of extra-regional countries on the Caribbean trade

Historical trade cont.

Modern Consumption Patterns

Modern Consumption Pattern

Modern Consumption Pattern

Influences of the Caribbean on extra- regional countries trade

Influences of extra-regional countries on the Caribbean culture.

Influences of the Caribbean on extra- regional countries culture

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