...How accurate is it to assert that "...by 1492 the Caribbean region was part of world civilisation"? Since the emergence of our species, early humans lived by hunting, fishing and collecting wild plants. These were referred to as Paleolithic societies, which had to follow their food and as a result, were forced to live mostly nomadic lives wandering from place to place in search of food. Eventually these early humans learned to cultivate plants, herd animals and make airtight pottery for storage. This settled lifestyle was known as Neolithic societies. It is through this progression from Paleolithic to Neolithic, that “civilisation” is said to have its beginning. In my interpretation I think that civilisation refers to an organized way of people existing together and working towards improving their way of life while striving for the continuation and development of their existence. The Oxford Dictionary defines “civilisation” as “the stage in human social development and organization which is considered most advance”. A key point to note is the reference of the term advance indicating development. Professor V. Gordon Childe (1892-1957), a very influential theorist of civilisation in the Western world during the first half of the twentieth century had identified a number of characteristic for what would constitute a civilisation. Some of these characteristics included, surplus of food resulting from development in animal husbandry, plant cultivation and storage methods. Other...
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...-- Name: Ron-Di’ Lacey Teacher’s Name: Mrs. P Bromfield School: Excelsior High Territory: Jamaica Centre Number: 100033 Date: October 6, 2014 Theme: Caribbean Economy and Slavery Topic: Social Relation in the Slave Society up to 1834 Hypothesis: How did the White men relate to enslaved women on a typical sugar plantation in Jamaica1750-1834? Table of Contents Content Page Rationale............................................................................................................................. 03 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 04 Aims and Objectives............................................................................................................. 05 Body of Research................................................................................................................. 06-10 Conclusion............................................................................................................................ 11 Appendix.............................................................................................................................. 12 Bibliography......................................................................................................................... 13 This researcher has chosen the topic Social Relation in Slave Society, because this researcher is interested in knowing what...
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...caribbean studies notes MODULE ONE LOCATION AND DEFINITION OF THE CARIBBEAN REGION Definition of the Caribbean Region Geographical This describes the area washed by the Caribbean Sea and is often described as the Caribbean Basin. It would therefore include most of the islands of the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles as well as the mainland territories in Central America (Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Honduras) and Northern South America such as Columbia and Venezuela. The common link here is the Caribbean Sea. Geological There are deep seated structural features of Caribbean geology which also identifies commonalities. It is the area that is defined by the Caribbean Plate and which experiences similar tectonic, seismic and volcanic features and processes. Historical It describes the area that saw the impact of European colonization, slavery, indentureship and the plantation system. this refers to all the territories so that one way of defining the Caribbean is to identify those countries that experienced the rule of specific European countries. Thus the Caribbean may be defined as being broken up into the English, French, Dutch and Spanish speaking countries and territories. Political In the Caribbean at least three types of governmental systems are found. They include Independent States, Associated States and Colonial Dependencies. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY Society Society is a collection of people occupying a defined geographical...
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...ups and downs, the poverty level remains great. First, we will discuss the region that is known as Latin America, the determining factors of poverty, the statistics and history of the poverty in Latin America and the future of the poverty in Latin America. Latin America refers to the areas of America in which the Spanish or Portuguese languages prevail. These areas include Mexico, most of Central and South America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Brazil. Latin America can be subdivided into different regions, such as North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. (Wikipedia, Retrieved 2010). Latin America consists of many different ethnic backgrounds and races. It is one of the most diverse regions in the world. Some of the predominant races/backgrounds include European-Amerindians (Mestizo), Amerindians, European, Mulatto, Black, Asian and Zambo (mixed Black and Amerindian). Latin America continues to be challenged by inequality and poverty. Poverty is defined as, “the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.” (Merriam-Webster, Retrieved 2010). According to the World Bank, nearly 25% of the population of Latin America lives on less than $2.00 a day. At least 182 million people are living in poverty in Latin America and at least 68 million people are living in extreme poverty. Poverty is defined as living on less than $2.15 per person per day and extreme poverty as living on less than $1.08 per...
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...Indigenous Heritage Of The Caribbean And Its Contribution To A Caribbean Identity Text from the Untold Origins Exhibition held at the Cuming Museum, October 2004 to February 2005. The Cuming Museum 155-157 Walworth Road London SE17 1RS 020 7525 2163 cuming.museum@southwark.gov.uk www.southwark.gov.uk/DiscoverSouthwark/Museums ‘Mabrika Mabrika- welcomeIt has been very important to be able to look at the objects in the Cuming Museum. It makes me realise how much we can regain from what we have lost of our culture by studying these objects.’ The Honourable Charles Williams, Carib Chief of the Carib Territory, Commonwealth of Dominica, on a visit to the Cuming Museum, October 6 2004. He is holding a ceremonial baton or club, used by chiefs as a badge of office on ceremonial occasions. From the Schomburgk collection. Introduction The Caribbean has always seen people on the move - from the settlement of people from the South American mainland thousands of years ago, the forced settlement of enslaved people from Africa, to the 'Island hopping' and immigration abroad in search of work in the 20th century. Within the Untold Origins exhibition we explored what happens when people and cultures move and come into contact with each other. What do people preserve from their original culture to maintain their sense of identity? How does contact with a new culture change how they view themselves? The histories and stories of the people who populated the Caribbean prior to the arrival...
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...To answer the question is every change or anything new development; one must first be able to define the terms change and development and then having these definitions as a platform ,attempt to answer the posed question. For the purpose of my presentation I will use the Webster’s definition of change and describe it, as making the form , nature, content , future course of something different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.( A slight deviation from my topic but Change, many would argue is constant, as former United States president, Kennedy once put it, change is the law of life.) Whereas change arguably could easily be defined, Development though was not and this was due to the many economic ,sociological and socioeconomic definitions that were available. However, I have opted to use this definition of development as “ the process in which someone or something grows or changes and becomes more advanced” due to its simplicity and because with some tweaking, can be used to encompass other definitions of development out there. With change and development having been defined it is my contention that not all change is development. Firstly, from a political perspective, there has been many instances throughout history where changes in government or changes in ideological style of governance have not, in my humble opinion meant an advancement in the lives of the people or the society where such change has taken place. Indeed, one recent case in point...
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...As the change from tobacco to sugar cane production began to take place, so did the change in slave labour. It is said that the Amerindians were unfit for harsh labour and were in turn decimated. The Europeans then had to rely on the convicts, bondservants and prisoners of war to exploit resources and spread agricultural systems. This proved to be futile as the men that were taken were from cities and towns back in Europe. Originally, slavery had taken place among the different tribes in Africa, but in 1518, a shipload of slaves was brought from the African Coast to the Caribbean. After Portugal had succeeded in establishing sugar plantations in northern Brazil in 1545, Portuguese merchants on the West Coast of Africa began to supply enslaved Africans to the sugar planters. There are said to be many reasons African slaves were brought to work on thee plantations. There are two theories that aim to either support or disregard these reasons; racism and economical factors. Firstly, the plantation owners were said to have been guaranteed a steady supply of African slaves as opposed to the uncertain flow of bondservants, convicts and prisoners of war from Europe. This was undoubtedly true. Only so many people were convicted or taken a prisoner. It was indeed a lot but not when compared to the amount of Africans that were carried to the Caribbean through the slave trade. The Europeans came to the realization that slavery was already present. From excerpts that were taken...
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...decoration. Now at the cusp of another millennium, tattoos and other varieties of body markings are resurfacing as a popular form of individual self-expression. Tattoos are timeless and can be unique as the bearers they adorn, they don't fade away like favorite t-shirts, or get lost or broken like school rings. They stay with you forever, until death. They become a part of you from the day you sit in the artist's chair, etching your emotions alongside the needle's sting, transforming an instant of your life into a symbol for the world to see. Tattoos and other body markings arrived in the Caribbean with African slaves and indentured workers from China and India. They were sometimes the only permanent keepsakes of peoples snatched from their ancestral places. The Caribbean's original Amerindian inhabitants also used tattoos to mark spiritual milestones. The Taino of the northern Caribbean islands, for instance, used vegetable dyes to affix images of their guardians onto their skin. These images also indicated an individual’s lineage, or his or her social position. Each tattoo was both a personal history book and a mark of belonging. Over the centuries, however, tattoos and other forms of bodily adornment have mutated, exchanging religious and cultural significance for individualist associations. Sometimes that mark of individuality has been confused with rebellion and non-conformity, often alluding to a stain of bad character. Tattoo-wearers have seemed wild, dangerous, even...
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...How appropriate is it to describe the Caribbean as a third world region The concept of “third world” often bears the implication or gives the broader picture of a ranking or categorical system of which the world’s countries or regions are placed. Certainly, the impression is given that there is a first and second world, though such terms are hardly mentioned. To some, it is an undesirable term or concept, and many shun from the notion of their country being referred to as third world territory; perhaps that is why the term “developing” or “underdeveloped” country is preferred. Nevertheless, the concept certainly attempts to stratify countries or territories based on some common characteristics and many of the world’s countries are categorized in that bracket, even the Caribbean region. But what constitutes third world? Should the Caribbean region be even considered third world? The Caribbean is a very diverse region divided within two groups based on location, namely; the Lesser Antilles and the Greater Antilles. There are a total of 30 countries, all which share a similar or common heritage but there are also some stark differences as well, in areas such as; geography, resources, culture and population. The diversity in Caribbean culture and heritage comes from the its rich history dating all the way back to the late 15th century, when the islands were occupied and fought over by various European countries and native Amerindians, who it is believed to have first discovered...
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...SPICE Summaries Social During the maritime revolution, there were many conquerors and explorers that played a huge role in society. Zheng He was a Muslim eunuch who was sent out to voyage by the Ming emperor, Yongle. In the Atlantic Ocean the greatest mariners were the vikings. Arawak were Amerindians who settled in greater Antilles of the Caribbean. Henry the Navigator was the prince of Portugal who promoted navigation and led voyages across the African coast. Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco de Gama were Portuguese explorers who led expeditions through the oceans. Christopher Colombus was the leader of the Spanish mission that took place overseas. Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese navigator who led Spanish expeditions. Conquistadors were Spanish conquerors. Hernan Cortes was one of them and he led the Aztec Mexicans conquest for Spain. Moctezuma II was an Aztec emperor who was in custody of Cortes. Atahualpa was an...
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...Caribbean music and festivals Isolation contributed to the popular nature of cbbean people. COLLABORATION with other artit from diff countries contributed to the popular nature of it 1995 246/246 1994 (barbados) 386 Record labels PPL DID have home made studio where carib music was made and played and in some cases somehow gets out Grass root record label hired pppl like them which contribted their failure because they did nt have enough knoledge....or connection.(vp records) Dr ralph gonsalves rephrased rex netmotleford dictum in musical terms: We are the sounds of the caribs , the arawaks and the Amerindians , we are the rythym of Africa , we are the melody of europe, we are the cause of asia, india, chinease and others and we are the home grown lyrics of the cbbean, set in a specific, geographical seascape and landscape'' Rimba (eddy grant) Music in the english c'bbean have been proliferting since the mid-seventies. Ll of them , but most notably , soca, chutne soca, rapso ringbagm and raga ssoca, Calypso evolved from the folk music ...since then,there have been types of calypso—rapso,picong(ocial,political, humorous),steelband soca- raga soca, groovy soca , Ring Bang(tuk) Rreggae – from folk, mento, rocksteady- ska, to Dub, dancehall, raga Gospel-christian or church music spouge reggae music emerges as the voice of the rastaffaria music rep the people...expressing themselves ...reggae ( dred act(research) jah cure the reflection...
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...Puerto Rico is an excellent island in the Caribbean Sea, just 100 miles in length and around 40 miles wide. It was one of numerous islands shaped around 185 million years prior when an incredible area movement sank a few sections of the earth and pushed others upward. Puerto Rico is really the highest point of a scope of mountains which has been pushed up from the floor of the Atlantic. The island lies on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, 300 miles south of the Tropic of Cancer and around 1000 miles southeast of Miami. It is the eastern most island of the four incredible Antilles, the other three being Hispaniola, Cuba, and Jamaica. The mountain slants are green and ripe, useful for developing espresso, citrus products of the soil. Along the coast...
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...France and England established sugar colonies at virtually the same time in the Caribbean, at the start of the second quarter of the 17th century (Dunn, 1972). For the most part, their management strategies, agricultural methods, and technological innovations were relatively uniform (Goodwin, 1987). After brief stints growing tobacco and other produce, sugar soon became the dominant crop, especially on the British islands, which had developed into a true monoculture by the 18th century. Britain’s main sugar colonies were Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, and St. Kitts. Many other islands. St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, and Tobago changed hands frequently between the two powers, especially during the numerous wars and treaties of the 18th century. In the early years, Britain and France competed fiercely for the European market, but around 1740, France successfully took it over due to their cheaper prices (Mintz 1985: 39; Rogoziński 1992: 108). British sugar colonies were characterized by large self-contained plantations worked by enslaved Africans. In the 17th century, 100 slaves working 80 acres of cane could produce 80 tons of sugar a year (Dunn 1972: 191). Many poor white colonists who did not have the capital to invest in planting were absorbed into the plantation system as clerks, tradesmen, or overseers. The owner, if he lived on the plantation (absenteeism was quite common), typically lived in a great house that mimicked the style of the gentry back in the metropole...
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...Caribbean Festivals at Home and Abroad Concept of Carnival/Festival Carnival brings about a "second world condition" so that when carnival comes around, another world is created and people go into that world. Notion of carnival as one of “the decentralising forces that militate against official power and ideology. Carnival as the interruption of dominant discourses “to surrender the critical and cultural tools to the dominant class and in this sense, carnival can be seen above all else as a site of urgency.” Mikhail Bakhtin in Rabelais and His World- Uses the term in reference to carnivals of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Bakhtin one of the key theorists on carnivals. Bakhtin-Carnivals allowed people mostly from the under class to rebel momentarily against social conventions and the class and financial hierarchies that structured society. Bakhtin- Carnival in medieval times offered a “second world and a second life.” Play, mockery, inversion, laughter and profanity all elements in Bakhtin's canival. Bakhtin-Carnival underlined is not a spectacle seen by the people; they live in it and everyone participate because its very idea embraces all the people...It has a universal spirit; it is a special condition of the entire world, of the world's revival and renewal in which all take part.” Bakhtin's views on Carnival have led to many theorists using Bakhtin's views to discuss carnival. Robert Stam- Carnivals can be politically ambiguous affairs that can be egalitarian and emancipatory...
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...life!”, “Music is the voice of the world!” and I totally agree with them in saying that. In my opinion music is a powerful art form that uses one of the most vital senses to portray a message. Music evolves feeling; it is a mean by which individuals (artiste) express their beliefs and ideas, address issues and share stories and experiences to the world. In this essay, I will be assessing the role that reggae has played in the development of the Caribbean identity. Music is part of our cultural identity, it’s prevalence in the region helps define the Caribbean civilisation and identity gained through time. The root of Caribbean identity lies in slavery, race, language and the ecology of the region but the term transcends further to include the various types of cuisine, music, ethnicities, religions and cultures present in the Caribbean today. The Caribbean remains one of the most diverse regions on earth, it can be referred to as multi-racial, multi-lingual and some might even say, multi-cultural. The history of music in the Caribbean dates as far back as the Neo-Indians who inhabited the region pre-Christopher Columbus. They had a ceremony referred to as “areito” at which the indigenous people sang and danced to the rhythmic beat of the slit-drums, rattles and other percussion instruments. This proves that music has been around for a very long time. According to the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in his rephrasal of the late Rex Nettleford’s...
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