Caribbean Culture

Happy 47th Independence to all Grenadians.

Folklore Revolves Around Supernatural Creatures

Passed down through generations, Caribbean folklore originated in Africa and was introduced to the islands by the people who were brought there to work in plantations. Most of these stories involve some spine-chilling supernatural beings like the heart man born out of Barbadian folklore. The Hartman terrorizes naughty children and carves out people’s hearts. Another scary creature from their folklore is the La Diablesse or the devil woman who appears beautiful from far away to lure victims but hides a hoof under her long dress and hideous face under a big hat. She is said to lure victims to their death or madness.

Birthplace Of Many Musical Genres

The Caribbean is the birthplace of many popular types of music that have spread throughout the world. Although many people only associate Caribbean music with Reggae (the unofficial soundtrack of many Caribbean vacations) there are many other genres of music that originated in the region. There’s calypso music that combines spiritual elements with bongos, maracas, and Spanish guitar, soca which originated in Trinidad and Tobago and uses dholak as well as dhantal, and dancehall which originated in Jamaica and is a high-energy form of rap-reggae among many others.

Architectural Melting Pot

The region’s architecture reflects its rich influences (Amerindian, African, and European) which gave birth to a medley of styles evident in their buildings and homes. Old Havana for instance showcases colonial architecture highly influenced by medieval Spain and Baroque art. The use of cast iron in many Caribbean structures was introduced by the French while the mechanical saws brought by the Americans gave rise to the use of intricate wooden lacework seen in many facades of homes and buildings in the region.

Facts About The Caribbean Culture, Carnivals, And Parades.

Based on the region’s folklore and customs, Caribbean parades are known the world over for their loud music, invigorating dance moves, and vibrant outlandish costumes. They showcase the best aspects of the rich Caribbean culture and their people’s vibrant way of life. Each year different countries in the region host hundreds of festivals Carnaval and people take preparations seriously. Sometimes called a “Carnaval” these fun street parties are meant to celebrate and commemorate events in history. Music is an important part of these parades as well as glittering (and intricately-designed) costumes and colorful floats.

Happy Independence Day to our neighbors and friends of Barbados 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧 Enjoy your day and be safe.🙏

While many countries in the Caribbean especially those colonized by Spain have remained Catholic, others practice many other religions. In Trinidad and Tobago and other areas with a large concentration of Indian immigrants, for instance, a quarter of the population practices Hinduism, while many of those in the British islands practice Protestantism. There’s also Santeria in Cuba that’s derived from Yoruba beliefs and rituals which include sacrificing an animal to the Yoruba deities, and the Rastafarian movement that originated in Jamaica in the 1930s.

African culture has left an indelible stamp on Caribbean history. Between 1662 and 1807 Britain brought around three million Africans to the Caribbean who were sold as slaves to work in plantations. The African people brought with them their music, dance, rituals, cuisines, and customs when they moved to the islands. These were then forged and shaped further by their experiences under the colonizers. They created dances, songs, and chants as a means of expression which reflected their lives on the plantation. And their influence helped shaped the Caribbean’s unique culture.

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