Gabrille Walker, 13A1
Caribbean studies
Trace the migratory patterns of the various ethnic groups that have migrated into the Americas/
Caribbean and explain how they have continued to a Caribbean identity.
over decades, different groups of people settled in the Caribbean all of whom had different racial
backgrounds and ethnicities. These groups of people came to the Caribbean either forcible or
voluntarily each with a distinct purpose. Whether it be to search for food, seek glory, become slaves
or for an outlet to new beginnings. These groups include the Amerindians (constitute of the Tainos,
Kalinagoes, Mayans, Inca, aztec, tupinambos), the Europeans, the Africans and the east Indians
(Chinese, Lebanese, Syrians). each group contributes to the term “the diverse Caribbean”. The
caribbeans culture is a marinated meat of the sprinkled spices of each group of people. We will dive
into the migratory pattern of each group and their contributions to the Caribbean identity.
The Amerindians
The first group of people to be noted as indigenous to the Caribbean were the Amerindians. They
were nomads who came to the Caribbean in search of food. The migratory pattern saw them
travelling from Orinoco Valley basin of Venezuela around AD 600–700, in Eurasia (the continent of
Europe and Asia) to the Western Hemisphere, through the Bering Strait between what are now
Alaska and Russia. The Tainos settled in the Greater Antilles mostly settled in Cuba, Hispaniola,
Jamaica and The Bahamas. The Maya settled mainly on the interior areas of Central American
territories, such as Mexico (the Yucatan Peninsula), Belize, Honduras and
even Guatemala. Like the Inca, who settled in South American territories
such as Peru, Ecuador, Central Bolivia and Colombia
contributions of the Amerindians:
Though this small group of people seem to have been extinct, they still left a mark. The
Amerindians specifically the Mayans introduced corn and astrology. The Tainos left their famous
barbecuing though the original recipe is unknown. They introduced fishing and other means of
survival and food like cassava.
the Europeans
History notes that the Spaniards were the first group of Europeans to discover the “Americas”.
Initially they set out to find a shorter and faster route to the east. They also set out on voyages to
discover and claim lands and goals under the motherland. The travel routes spanned between
Europe and the eastern coast of the Americas, down through the Atlantic Ocean and around the
southern tip of South America toward Southeast Asia, and down through the Atlantic and around the
southern tip of Africa toward India.
Europeans contributions:
Christianity is a predominant religion in the Caribbean. This is stemming from Europeans; the
catholic denomination from the Spaniards. Education was first introduced by the Europeans as a
means of converting the Africans. They were thought mostly about the bible although some planters
taught their favourite slaves how to read and write. Law and government system was introduced o
enforce and organise structure. The Caribbean is also a very industrialise region. Industries were
also introduced by the Europeans starting with the cane sugar factories. One of the sports introduced
by the Europeans are cricket. The Caribbean has its own cricket team, the west indies.
the Africans
after the near extinction of the Tainos and other indigenous people, the Spaniards now needed a
source of labour for large sugar fields and so they resorted to Africans who could be bought (cheap,
reliable and accessible).The majority of African enslaved people were captured in the interior of
West African states and then transported on foot to the coastal regions by African slave raiders to
await embarkation on ships They Africans came to the Americas through what is known as the
middle passage. This voyage was known as the transatlantic slave trade. The africans suffered harsh
conditions both on the sugar plantation and on the voyages. They were poorly fed, overworked,
ripped from their families, abused and mutilated and restricted in as many means possible.
Contributions of the Africans:
the black race knew how to withstand adversities. Throughout the hardships they faced, they still
found ways to be happy, to create families creating new traditions as well as preserving the one ones
brought with them from the mother land. The Africans contributed vibes and rhythm stemming the
dances such as mambo, merengue and calypso, dinky, and they even introduced johnkunus. These
are the heart of Caribbean festivals. They also introduced voodoo, pukomania and revivalism as
different religious practices. The Africans also brought with them bush medicine (herbs) as they had
to treat themselves.
the East-indians and Chinese
After emancipation was granted, majority of the blacks left the plantation and some even refused to
work there even with payment. The Europeans had to now improvise in order to maintain their
established wealth and other assets in the Caribbean. They now had to use indentured labourers.
These included the Chinese and East-Indians, that came from culcatta, madras, portugues Madera
and Chinese from Macao and Hong-Kong. These labourers were contracted for a period of 5-7
years. After their tenure had expired, many made the decision to stay in the Caribbean.
Contributions of the East-indians and Chinese
These group of people came to Caribbean to earn wages and some even decided to make the
Caribbean home. They like all the other groups brought with them their own unique practices and
traditions. The east Indians contributed to religion by introducing Hinduism, Islamic practices
amongst others. They also brought one the caribbean’s favourite fruit ackee and popular spice curry.
The Chinese also contributed their foods and cooking technique like rice, noodles, sweet and sour
chicken, stir frying.
The Caribbean is such a diverse place, after all “all a wi is one!!” many different groups have
entered the Caribbean starting with the amerindians to indentured labourers. Over time these people
have misogenated and cultures start to intertwined, creating new norms. The Caribbean identity is
flavoured by each of these groups making the Caribbean beverage. Our food, numerous religions,
different ethnicities are all coexisting and thriving together.
