Migratory

Migratory movement during the Columbian period was westward across the Atlantic with the aim of finding the 'Indies' and getting its riches by trade or conquest. Columbus was supported by the Spanish royal family who was hoping to get riches from the orient before her rivals, spread Catholicism and for personal and national glorification. Columbus did reach the Americas because of his knowledge of navigation, winds and currents. He pioneered the trade winds to and from Caribbean, and in so doing became the first European to visit the regions and parts of the Central America . He was the first to set up permanent contact between Europe and Caribbean although he was a poor colonizer and administrator.
Spaniards became the first European masters of the New World. Amerindians became the conquered race subjected to Spanish rule, domination and oppression resulting in destruction of .their culture (assimilation), new language, religion, technology, tools, food, animals etc. Spanish greed resulted in the enslavement of Tainos under the encomienda system: noblemen were granted lands under repartimiento and Tainos under encomienda so they could be protected, converted and instructed, in return they we're required to work the land and pay tributes. It became a system of using a supply of forced labour (slaves) for economic production (mining, farming, and ranching). It ensured Spanish expansion, settlement, and control of lands. The vast lands could not have been economically viable without the support of the encomienda system. It began a pattern of forced labour and oppression that characterized European relations with its colonies. The superior technology of Europeans became the instrument to enslave and plunder the simpler indigenous societies of the region. Religion was introduced as an instrument of conquest and imperialism. It resulted in the genocide of the Taino groups and mass murder of others. This had far reaching impact on the Caribbean region namely: (1) a change in the social composition of the region: whites, Amerindians and Mestizos) end the stratification within the society according to caste and class. (2) genocide of Amerindians from diseases, guns, swords and suicide. (3) marroonage as some Amerindians fled to the safety of the mountains, forests and caves in territories such as Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. (4) It began a pattern of rebellion and resistance among peoples enslaved by the Europeans (attack on La Navidad, 1625 Kalinago attacked Warner in St: Kitts (5) Amerindian cooperation where Tainos and Kilanagos diverted energies of fighting each other to fighting Europeans 6)

cultural exchange: Amerindians introduced tobacco smoking, use of hammock medicinal properties of plants and herbs, tropical products such as root crops, beans etc. whereas the Spaniards introduced better inland transport (horse), sturdier houses( Spanish wall), more elaborate system of government Cabildo, Viceroys), a new religion (Christianity), new crops such as sugar cane, banana, citrus (except grapefruit), different style of dressing, new animals such as chickens, pigs, goats cattle. Today significant numbers of indigenous peoples are to be found in Guyana (Arawak, Caribs, WaiWai, Warau), Belize (Garifuna), Dominica (Caribs) and Surinam! This is so because Guyana, Belize, Suriname were too large for colonial masters to establish full control over the entire territory. This meant that Amerindians could retreat into the interior and live. On the other hand Dominica was not greatly populated by Europeans (too mountainous to cultivate; lacked mineral wealth) so Amerindians could therefore survive in such an environment. In the wider Caribbean, Amerindians decimated by hard work and harsh treatment (encomienda), European diseases, genocide, suicide and infanticide. Post Columbian westward movement continued with the coming of other European nations (English, Dutch, French) trying to break Spain's monopoly. Through their actions other groups migrated westwards either forcedly in the case of the Africans or voluntarily in the case of the Asians.

COMING OF THE AFRICAN

The decline of tobacco in the Caribbean brought about by the large scale productions in Virginia'-(USA) necessitated a change; Another crop was heeded to replace tobacco. Sugar was experimented with and accepted, as there was a great demand for a sweetener in Europe. The cultivation of sugar cane needed extensive labour as this was a plantation crop.: To satisfy this demand the Europeans turned to Africa and thus began the Atlantic Slave Trade. This brought about a dramatic change into the Caribbean society- a new system of production based oh private ownership of land and people. It heralded in a new class structure and ' division of labour. This movement was a forced one and because the success of the European planters depended on the oppression of the Africans, forced culture change took place. The Europeans did everything-in their power to alienate the African from their cultural identity-" new names, laws forbidding religious worship, scattering of different cultures. Despite these attempts, many different African cultural forms have survived. Examples of these are evident in: the elements of West African religious practices which can be recognized in the cults of obeah, voodoo and Shango. These were passed down from one generation to the other. Some African slaves in Jamaica kept a strong belief in the power of obeah and myalism (which

developed into pocomania). These practices involved sorcery, witchcraft and the use of charms. It is through dancing and music that these cults are kept alive and active in contemporary Caribbean.

West Africans who were forced to work and live together when they were brought to the Caribbean invented a common tongue (language). This led to the emergence of patois (mixture of African, French, English and Spanish dialects) The West African influence in patois is more dominant, not only in vocabulary but also in: pronunciation and grammar eg. nyam, su-su. Kas-kas, bufbuf, bafan, booboo). Certain foods found and eaten in the Caribbean are also a part of the West Africa culture which

often times bear the same name (yam, cocoa, asham, fu-fu, susumba, peanut, duckoonoo). Medicine: This involves the use and administration of herbs and bushes. Folk medicine has survived in the Caribbean regardless of the fact that modern medicine has been instituted. The use of herbal medicine came through visions and experiments by the slaves who brought the knowledge of nature and its uses. The obeah men were the slave doctors who administered various teas, baths, potions and oils for the purpose of healing (love bush for fevers, leaf of life for common cold, Jamaican Quassie for malaria, soursop leaf to expel worms from the body etc.) Music and Art: African music can be identified in some Caribbean churches, festivals and theatre. The call and answer style of singing is indigenous to Africa. Also, the use of drums which escaped the dominating hands of the planters who tried to wipe it out. In. Jamaica some of the melodies and rhythms brought here by slaves are present in our musicspontaneity, polyphony, complicated rhythms, speech tunes. Some musical instruments of African descent are still prevalent in Caribbean today (congo -talking drum, Abeng, xylophone, bamboo fife, Jamaican banjo). The majority of West Africans imported in the Caribbean were skilled and talented. This rich cultural heritage was retained and reflects outstandingly the Caribbean air. Much of the ceramics, carvings and sculptures reflect a deep African influence. The styles of Caribbean artists can be recognized as being similar to those of the African artists. Festivals/celebrations: various festivals/celebrations have a strong link to West African practices. Some examples are Jonkonnu, Nine Night, Bruckins Party, Dinki Mini, session and yam festivals. Social relations: These included the concept of a village raising a child, family based on kinship; blood ties, common ancestral spirits, respect for the elders, extended family to include all blood relations and otherwise. The Africans were able to keep these cultural forms alive which they passed down the generations by practicing them secretly and on special occasions. The planters

attempted to brain wash the slaves by forcing them to believe that the African culture was barbaric and inferior. To avoid punishment, slaves were forced to adopt some of the cultural practices of Europeans. These Africans however began to mix the two cultures together in order to plea their masters and to remain faithful to their heritage. The African culture emerged to be the more dominant and was able to survive. The cultural practices of the Africans were also retained through their association with religion, song and dance which the planters viewed as harmless and as a result they survived from one generation to the next. The Sunday market also acted as a medium through which African culture was retained as it became a meeting place for the slaves. It gave them the opportunity to not only sell their goods but to also consult the obeah men, listen to stories or music and to take part in dances

COMING OF THE ASIANS

With the abolition of slavery, the planters turned to. Asia for a new supply of labour and for decades thousands of East Indians(1838) and Chinese{1853) were brought to the West Indies under a contractual arrangement to labour on the sugar plantations mainly in Guyana Trinidad and to a lesser extent Jamaica. The Chinese came in small numbers when compared to other groups. Although they were hard working they lacked experience and physical capability to work on the plantations. As soon as they could, they left the plantations and became involved in more suitable activities such as shop keeping, retailing, and huckstering They too added to the class structure of the region. Like the Africans many of their cultural practices were erased or acculturated thus contributing to the cultural diversity existing in the region. Their language, many customs and their religion were erased. Many Chinese tended to intermarry with East Indians and Africans (Dougla).

The East Indians came in larger numbers (approximately 400,000 0 and were from different castes - agricultural, Untouchables and Brahmin. They were housed together and placed in gangs regardless of their caste. For the East Indians plantation life afforded them privilege of retaining many of their cultural practices. These new immigrants brought new religions, language, food, dress, festivals, music and general lifestyle. For some, plantation life in the region was one of oppression and as soon as they could they left the plantations became involved in business( peasant proprietors who worked part time on the estate and cultivated their lands (sugar cane, rice, ground provisions, fruits).

IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION INTO THE REGION Opened the Caribbean to Europe, Africa and Asia Introduction of new technologies- processing of sugar cane New systems of government New architectural style using different building materials: Spanish wall, Georgian New languages: Spanish, English, Dutch, French New crops/dishes: sugar cane, bananas, citrus, rice, mangos, curry dishes, pak choi tamarind, mango, Chinese dishes, buns, etc New religious beliefs: Christianity, Hinduism, Muslim Adequate and reliable (although inefficient) use of labour force which maintain monoculture production New system of production - (slavery & indentureship) Created a multi-racial society with diverse culture Caused a loss of identity for migrants and threatened family structure Stimulated growth "of social services especially medical care Contributed to growth of peasant farming, huckstering, shop keeping New skills introduced into the region : metal, leather, irrigation Movement from plantations by ex-slaves: free villages; growth of peasant farms Movement westwards / SW to Central America: Cuba (sugar, domestic, dress making, Costa Rica, Nicaragua (banana), Panama (railway >canal banana), Venezuela (oilfields) Movement northwards to USA (WWII- war time jobs) Eastwards to England, France (WWII- war time jobs; reconstruction after WWII ii transport, construction, postal, service nursing) Northwards to North America - economic as well as political ( Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic

IMPACT OF CARIBBEAN EMIGRATION

Brain drain- loss of skilled members of society- which region could ill-afford Governments must spend additional money to replace loss skills Region does not benefit directly from investment made in human resources Unemployment levels..are lowered

Remittances sent home by emigrants used to improve social and economic cc Pressure on limited social services lowered- education, health, and housing. Ease pressure on unemployment / underemployment level Returning nationals brought new experiences and ideals to the region trade and self government

Male seasonal workers caused disruption in family life single parent, weak parental control