1. A. Balliram

2. SOCIETY
so·ci·e·ty
 the sum of social relationships among
groups of humans or animals
 a structured community of people bound
together by similar traditions, institutions,
or nationality
 the customs of a community and the way it
is organized, e.g. its class structure

3. U.S Anti-Slavery Society

4. The Justice League

5.  A society is a group of individuals knit together
through a common set of values such as morals,
beliefs, etc.
 Key characteristics would be individuals who have
the same:
1. beliefs 2. ideas
3. values 4. history
5. life experiences 6. social environment

6. CULTURE
cul·ture
 arts collectively: art, music, literature, and related
intellectual activities, considered collectively
 knowledge and sophistication: enlightenment and
sophistication acquired through education and
exposure to the arts
 shared beliefs and values of group: the beliefs,
customs, practices, and social behavior of a
particular nation or people

9. CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF
CARIBBEAN SOCIETY
 With the exception of Trinidad, where East Indians
and Africans are nearly equal in number, the
Caribbean states have predominantly African-
derived populations.
 Race, ethnicity, class, and color, however, do not
constitute the mutually reinforcing cleavages
found elsewhere.
 No regional political or social organization is
based exclusively on race, class, or color

10.  Overt forms of segregation and discrimination do
not exist, and crude political appeals to race and
color have not been successful.
 Nevertheless, color consciousness permeates the
societies, and various forms of more subtle social
discrimination against non-Christians and East
Indians, for example, have persisted.
 Despite the common official language, common
institutions, and common historical experience,
each island and state has a distinct set of
characteristics.

11.  For example, the local inflection of the
English spoken in Jamaica varies
significantly from that spoken in Barbados
or Trinidad.
 Literacy rates also vary greatly from between
75 and 80 percent in Jamaica and St. Lucia
to almost universal literacy in Trinidad,
Barbados, and the Bahamas.

12.  In a region where a constant racial and cultural
mixing over centuries have resulted in extreme
heterogeneity, any ethnic ideal clashes with the
observed reality of everyday life.
 Nevertheless, ideals exist, often based on
European models, and are at variance with the
expressed rhetoric of the political majority, which
tries to emphasize the African cultural heritage.
 At all levels of Caribbean societies, tensions exist
between centrifugal state policies and ideals on the
one hand and individual beliefs, family, and kin on
the other.

13.  These tensions are exacerbated by the fragile
political structures and even more delicate
economic foundations on which a viable, cohesive
nationalism must be forged among the
Commonwealth Caribbean peoples.
 The most urgent challenges for the new political
leaders lie in satisfying the constantly rising
expectations amid the reality of constantly
shrinking resources.
 Perhaps as a result of its heterogeneity, the area is
extremely dynamic culturally, producing a veritable
explosion of local talent after World War II.

14.  Poets and novelists of international renown include
Samuel Selvon, V.S. Naipaul, and Earl Lovelace from
Trinidad; Derek Walcott from St. Lucia; George
Lamming from Barbados; and Mervyn Morris, Vic
Reid, John Hearne, Andrew Salkey, and Roger Mais
from Jamaica.
 In painting and sculpture, the late Edna Manley was
universally recognized. Commonwealth Caribbean
music in the form of the calypso, reggae, ska, and
steelband orchestra have captivated listeners around
the world.

15.  Like the people themselves, art forms in the
Caribbean demonstrate an eclectic variety
harmoniously combining elements of
European, African, Asian, and indigenous
American traditions.

16. Characteristics of our Culture

17. Characteristics of our Culture
 Although not largely written about, Caribbean
culture has arguably been preserved more by the
authentic voices of "intuitive scholars": artists,
farmers, merchants, and traders --educationally
deprived, perhaps, but quite learned in the
cultural heritage of the island nations.
 They are the region's best oral historians and
cultural preservationists.

18. Characteristics of our Culture
 The Caribbean lifestyle is undoubtedly a product
of its tropical setting.
 The music, architecture, attitudes and customs
have all, in some way, been shaped by the
physical landscape and climate.
 The cultures of the Caribbean countries are a
blend of colonial mainstays and pervasive
influences by major ethnic groups of the region
such as East Indians and Africans.

19. Barbados vs. Jamaica
 Barbados, a former British colony, retains enough
British traditions to be called "Little England."
Antigua, while offering a more laid-back attitude,
still observes old British customs.
 On the other hand, Jamaica retains few of the
colonial customs, relies heavily on pre-colonial
heritage and is passionately self-sufficient. Jamaica
also boasts a successful democracy and maintains
a peaceful existence in the Caribbean. Its residents
run the scope from dull English aristocrats to
vibrant Rastafarians.

20. Languages
 Creole languages are approx 200 years old. They
came about during the first slavery era in the
Caribbean.
 Creole is a "patois" language that is a varied
combination of African syntax and European lexicon,
or words. It evolved out of necessity, as slaves had to
communicate with the European plantation owners.
 Derivations include French Creole, with regional
dialects in Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia,
Dominica and French Guyana; English and African
blend; and Patwa in Jamaica.

21. Languages
 Because the Creole language was associated with
the poor labor class, parents would often forbid
their children to speak it.
 In recent times, however, more people are
appreciating and recognizing the historical
importance of the language, its linguistic appeal,
and its significant place in local culture.

22. African Heritage
 Old African culture and customs influence
much of the religious worship, artistic
expression, rhythmic dancing, singing and
even ways of thinking in the Caribbean.
Spiritual practices such as Junkanoo in the
Bahamas, Voodun in Haiti, and Rastafari in
Jamaica are African-influenced movements
that have Caribbean origin but a worldwide
following.

23. African Heritage
 Reggae music and jerk cooking are also
Africa-inspired gifts to the world from the
Caribbean.
 In the Eastern Caribbean Soca Tradition, for
example, the limbo dance ritual has its roots
on the slave ships that came to the colonies
on the horrific "Middle Passage."