About
African Caribbeans
Major
Cultural Considerations
All
African and Caribbean countries have experienced a colonial
past and all have suffered from the slave trade. Afro-Caribbean
people are therefore multi-ethnic/multi-cultural, having a
great many: religions, languages, foods, art forms, music
and social institutions, i.e. ideas, attitudes, beliefs, values
inherited from those who lived and are living in these Islands.
There is an amalgamation of African, Asian, American and European
influence. African Caribbeans who have original African ancestry
or simply Caribbeans (of the Carib Indians) are people who
migrated to Britain from the West Indies. The majority are
from Jamaica, though other islanders are represented. The
acquisition of a Caribbean or black identity is relatively
recent. Older Afro-Caribbeans were brought up in societies
in which island distinctions were of primary significance.
Middle age migrants may have fewer family ties in Britain
and will have left most of their close kin and other contacts
in their former country, whereas the youngest generation of
migrants and certainly the British born second generation,
have most of their family and friendship ties in Britain.
Therefore, one generation's experience of history and of old
age will be different from that of the succeeding generations.
This is relevant to most people settled in Britain who have
a diverse heritage.
The
meaning of being West Indian or Caribbean is dependant on
the life course they have experienced and the historical period
in which they are located. In their former country they would
have thought of themselves as Barbadians, Jamaicans, Trinidadians,
or whatever, and in some circumstances still do so. Other
groups that may identify with a Caribbean identity are those
from Guyana - South America, (British and French Guyana) and
the descendants of Indian indentured labourers brought over
from the East (sometimes also referred to as West Indians).
Among
younger migrants, however, there have been different experiences:
independence from colonial rule, the experience of the West
Indies Federation (though short-lived) and the development
of Black Consciousness and "black identity". The
development of a common racial identity is yet more prevalent
among the second and third generations, and has taken on new
forms among the British-born. So while an "ethnic group"
such as "Afro-Caribbean" may be defined as one which
shares a common past or history, it is important to remember
that the past has different meanings for different age groups.
Food
Every
Island has their own distinct dishes associated with tradition/passed
down through families. Strong influence from Africa, which
forms the basis of Caribbean cuisine, i.e. Cassava, Cornmeal,
Sweet Potato, Yams, Plantains, Okra etc. Rice dishes may form
staple part of diet. Food is highly spiced and/or seasoned.
Focus
for Community
The
place of worship is usually the focal point for most community
activities. For example, the potential isolation of elders
from the Caribbean community has been considerably reduced
thanks to the important role of black church organisations
in providing them with a social, cultural and educational
focus. However these benefits may be restricted to churchgoers
only. Therefore those people who have spent their substantial
lives in Britain, who may have less church involvement, will
need to have an increasing role placed by other agencies.
Report
by Cambridge County Council, UK
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