A Taxonomic Study of St. Lucia Culture (In chronological order)

Gary Flomenhoft

Nov. 9, 2005

Indianata Caribium(Awarak and Carib Indians)

Amerindian peoples indigenous to the entire Caribbean. They were expert hunters, farmers, fishermen, and skilled artists. Their primary crops were cassava, yams, sweet potatoes, all of which still play a central role in the island's food. The first settlers in St. Lucia were the Arawak Indians who arrived around 200 A.D. through 800 A.D. They were peaceful, farming settlers, whose culture was superseded by the warrior-like Caribs. Traveling from the South American mainland, the Caribs came north up the Orinoco River and stopped at several islands in the area, killing the peaceful Arawaks, and replacing them as they sojourned throughout the territory that eventually took their name. The Amerindians were decimated by the arrival of the Europeans, and only a small number of St. Lucians can still trace their roots back to this group. Some of the few particular aspects of Amerindian culture that survive include farina and cassava bread, fish-pots and other local craft items. Some villages still practice the ancient art of fishing in dug-out canoes.

Francofonales Colonata(French Colonists)

There were no Europeans settlers in St. Lucia until in the 1550's, when notorious buccaneer Francois le Clerc established his base on Pigeon Island. Le Clerc was known by several aliases, including Jambe de Bois, Wooden Leg or Peg-Leg le Clerc. The treasure-laden Spanish galleons passing by were easy prey for Peg-Leg and his band of buccaneers from Pigeon Island.

The first lasting settlements and towns were all French after the French West India Company "bought" the island approximately 1650's. In 1746 Soufriere was the main town and by 1780 there were 12 settlements and several sugar plantations.

French culture is more evident in the arts--music, dance, and Creole patois, which stands alongside the official language of English.

Britensius Colonata (British Colonists)

In 1605 another colony occurred as a result of a storm in which the ship "Olive Branch" was blown off course while on its way to Guyana and 67 English colonists waded ashore and settled on St. Lucia. They purchased land and huts from the Caribs, who continued their warlike culture. After only one month the surviving 19 English settlers were forced to flee from the Caribs of St. Lucia in a canoe. In 1639, a second group of English colonists under Sir Thomas Warner also failed in their settlement attempt.

However, the British persevered in their efforts to possess St. Lucia, launching a failed invasion in 1778 called the "Battle of Cul de Sac". By 1814, the British had succeeded in taking possession of St. Lucia after a prolonged series of very destructive battles.

To St. Lucia's complex cultural mosaic, the British contributed their language, educational system, and legal and political structure.

Cricketosis Lunicus (Cricket Craze)

The most important British legacy-Cricket

Afro-caribeaniceae(Caribeans of African descent)

African culture was becoming established through the arrival of slaves for European plantations and, later, indentured labourers. Their descendants constitute the largest percentage of the island's population, and their proud heritage has had an enormous impact on St. Lucia's character as a nation. African traditions have survived the repressions of slavery and servitude to become the strongest element in St. Lucian culture today.

Indianata Eastora(East Indians)

After the abolition of slavery, East Indians came to St. Lucia as indentured servants. Most worked in the large sugar factories in the Cul-de-Sac, Roseau, and Mabouya valleys and in Vieux Fort, where there is still a significant East Indian community. In comparison to other immigrant groups, their numbers were small. Although their traditional culture has almost disappeared, the East Indians have had a notable and lasting influence on the island's fine cuisine.

Rastafari Caribensis(Caribbean Rastafarian)

Jah=jehovah Rastafari= Ras Tafari

Ras” in Amharic is the title given to Ethiopian royalties, and Tafari is the Empeor’s given name which can be translated as “the one that is revered and/or feared”

Biblical: Revelation 5:2-5, And Revelation 19:16

15 - 20% of Jamaican population, less elsewhere

Haile Selassie

I-n-I: The idea of I-n-I connotes the self as being linked with symbols of divine agency i.e. Sellassie I, Rastafari I. I-n-I is used as a substitute for “me” which the Rastas consider a servile and exclusionary word. “Since Jah is believed to be manifest in all persons, all persons are joined to one another by virtue of their unity with Jah.”

“Livity” is a term used to designate the Rasta lifestyle orientation and one that correlates with moving towards “the moral quest” of “Ethiopia-Africa”. This quest entails a collective vision of the good. The I-n-I self who has a personal relationship with nature seeks to live in harmony with the environment, that is to live authentically in relation to nature.

Ethiopia: Jamaica, and the world, is understood to be in the clutches of the agents of “Babylon”. “Babylon” is often equated with Western Civilization and is also understood as an artificial affluent society of self-absorbed individuals who worship idols and live decadent lifestyles at the expense of the poor.

Dreadlocks, dread

Francofonales Martiniquensis(French tourist from Martinique or Guadelupe)

Obesius Americanis Cruiseshipensis touristaceae

(Fat American Cruise ship tourist)

Sources

• http://www.caribbeanchoice.com/stlucia/culture.asp• http://www.geographia.com/st-lucia/lccul01.htm• Google Images• Dominica 2003 images• http://www.angelfire.com/ak/sellassie/page5.html• http://people.zeelandnet.nl/adamr/rastafari_concept.htm