Culture can be defined as the as the way of life of a people.

In light of the
demographic and cultural diversity of the Caribbean and the range of geographical,
historical and social factors that impact its identity, it has been argued that there is
no such thing as a single Caribbean Identity. This belief emerges from the reality of
the differences that can be identified within the region. Girvan (2001) states that it
is fashionable to speak of a Caribbean identity, but it is more realistic to accept that
there are many cultural identities co-existing within a society and more so in the
region due to many different reasons. Cultural diversity in the Caribbean is a result
of colonialism, where many European states would colonize Caribbean islands.
Also, during these times, indentureship would have been taking place which lead
to a number of people who possessed different ethnicities and cultures to be
brought into the Caribbean. Even as time went by the society of the Caribbean
people have contributed to cultural diversity. Therefore, it can be stated that there
is no, one Culture of the Caribbean culture, but rather, Caribbean cultures and this
is can be supported by looking at its history, the various ethnicities and its society.
The Caribbean shares a common history of colonialism, slavery and
indentureship. Many of the Caribbean islands were initially inhabited by the
Amerindians, Cardinagos and Tainos, where the Tainos inhabitted the Greater
Antilles and the Cardinagos inhabitted the Lesser Antilles. The Spanish then
travelled to the Caribbean which, leads to the commencing of the colonialism
period. During this period interloping activities and wars allowed some territories
to become French, British and Dutch. Many of the European empowered colonies
experienced various forms of enslavement, immigration and indentureship.
Historically speaking the Caribbean was the middle passage for enslavement.
Through indentureship Chinese, Indians and other cultures were also brought to the
Caribbean. There are many different diasporas presented in the Caribbean due to
its historical disparity. If we recall the various ethnicities that map our individual
and group identities we realize the great significance of this disparity, Mohammed
(2007) states that speaking of a thus single Caribbean identity against this
background of diversity is an extremely complex undertaking and some say that it
may even be a figment of the imagination.

Another point that shows that the Caribbean does not have one single
culture is that of different ethnic groups. An ethnic group is a community or

population made up of people who share a common cultural background or

descent. Different ethnic groups have their own culture and beliefs. The various
ethnic groups that have made a major impact I the Caribbean are those of the
Indians, Africans, Chinese and many others. These groups have their different
beliefs and way of life as compared to each other. Indians have different types of
music such as: classical and folk music, they also have different dances like the
khatak, religious beliefs and clothes and the Africans possess their own type of
music, dance, clothing and religion within their culture. For example, dances such
as galala and suo, music like apala and benga. Each ethnic group possess thier own
beliefs and cultures which have different customs and among these different ethnic
groups there is also said to be a sense of stratification where some of these people
are treated better and are seen as higher up in society than others of a different
ethnicity. This stratification came about not only based on not only ethnicity but
also pigmentation meaning the color of pan individual's skin or other factors such
as the texture if their hair.
Society has affected the cultural diversity in the Caribbean in many
ways. Firstly Society is becoming more diverse due to; increased tourism and
migration from countries across the globe, less gender specific roles, improved
living standards and individualization processes. The diversity of lifestyles, value
systems and experiences has consequences for social interaction, and the selfconception and internal integration of societies are all examples of how society has
affected the culture in the Caribbean. The American lifestyle and some of their
actions they perform in their society has affected our culture and the way we act
sometimes. Society as a whole has changed many cultures as we find it difficult to
get the time to practice our culture and religion and may sometimes find it
embarrassing. The resultant of this would be that cultures would begin to lose
aspects and some cultures would be gone completely. This affects the identity and
the cultures of the Caribbean as our people begin to follow the society and its
trends which doesnt make us our own identity. Society influences our people to
erase our own culture and follow another culture which is also known as
Acculturation.

It is very difficult to speak of a single Caribbean as it has been stated

that speaking of a single Caribbean identity against its background of diversity is
an extremely complex undertaking and some say that it may even be a figment of

the imagination. However, it can be stated that there is a single Caribbean when we
look at how the Caribbean has evolved through history and how the many ethnic
groups and their cultures help to identify the Caribbean, therefore it can be said
that there is a possibility that through hybridization which, is the when two or more
groups or cultural practices are combined to produce a single new practice which
retains characteristics of the parent groups or practices, that there is a single
Caribbean culture that is created from the mixing of cultures from the various
people and ethnic groups that have visited the Caribbean throughout its history
such as the indentured laborers, African slaves and Europeans.
In conclusion, the Caribbean consists of a heavily diverse culture. This
diversity is a result of colonialism with European states which was followed by
indentureship in the Caribbean islands. Further assumptions state that due to a
variety of ethnicities present in the Caribbean, there is a variety of different
cultures. However, there are strong points that argue that there are commonalities
among the Caribbean people by having a Caribbean Diaspora and a common
history of indentureship and slavery.