Monday, October 10, 2011

To what extent has Caribbean culture influenced British culture?

By Maya Z. Farrell


The culture of Caribbeans in Britain has been far from simple and has continued to evolve. The way that culture exists in this country today came out of two main factors. Firstly, migrants needed to acclimatise to a new environment and culture and second but not least was their need to remain as close to their own identity as possible.

The ancestors of many Caribbeans migrants have undoubtedly made their mark but the effect has been modified by the effect living in Briton has which includes the people they mix with and the events and occurrences which they have had to deal with. It is has made for an interesting culture and they have made a home for themselves in the UK.

Caribbeans have had an influence on British culture too, it hasn't purely been the other way around. It isn't just an effect of years gone by either, they still have quite an impact today. Music and the arts are two fields which have been particularly influenced.

The success of Caribbean art and music not just in Britain but throughout Europe started many many years ago, way back into the 20th century, in fact, when conductor Rudolph Dunbar became a star in Europe. The Tate Gallery recognises Ronald Moody, a sculptor who impressed upon his visit to the British Museum in London in 1935. We have seen further influences throughout the years such as the likes of Eddy Grant who have continued to exemplify the success that Caribbeans have here in the UK.

It wasn't until the 1960s when London became home to the first big Caribbean carnival. It was in actual fact a demonstration in honour of Kelso Chchrane, a Jamaican who was killed in Notting Hill. Most of the migrants in the area were from Trinidad and so as the carnival continued year after year, it began to become more of a Trinidiad event. Elements of the life of a migrant also began ton form such as clubbers bringing their speakers with music blaring away at high volume.




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