Preserving our culture

 

1. East Indian Contributions

a) Articles:

• "The Arrival of East Indians in the Caribbean"
  A brief overview of how East Indians came to the Caribbean as indentured laborers, bringing with them religious traditions, food, and cultural practices.
  Link to article

• "East Indian Influence on Caribbean Food and Culture"
  This article discusses East Indian contributions to Caribbean cuisine (curry, roti) and festivals such as Diwali.
  Link to article

b) Images and Props:

• Images of East Indian food like roti, curry, dhal, and Indian spices commonly used in Caribbean cooking.
• Pictures of Diwali celebrations in the Caribbean, showing oil lamps, colorful rangoli art, and firecrackers.
• Props: Bring in small containers of traditional Indian spices (e.g., turmeric, cumin) for students to touch and smell.

c) Cultural Items:

• A tassa drum (if available) or a video of tassa drumming, which is common in East Indian celebrations in the Caribbean.
  Video of Tassa Drumming

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2. Chinese Contributions

a) Articles:

• "The Chinese in the Caribbean"
  This article provides a history of Chinese migration to the Caribbean and their contributions, especially in trade and food.
  Link to article

• "Cultural Contributions of the Chinese to the Caribbean"
  Focuses on Chinese New Year, food, business, and architecture in Caribbean societies.
  Link to article

b) Images and Props:

• Images of Chinese dishes like chow mein, spring rolls, and dim sum as they are prepared in the Caribbean.
• Pictures of Chinese New Year celebrations, including dragon dances, lantern festivals, and the red color symbolizing good luck.
• Props: Red envelopes (symbolizing good luck) traditionally given during Chinese New Year, and Chinese lanterns used for decoration.

c) Cultural Items:

• A dragon dance video to showcase traditional Chinese performance art during the New Year.
  Video of Chinese Dragon Dance

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3. General Resources on Caribbean Cultural Preservation

a) Articles:

• "Preserving Caribbean Culture"
  An article discussing why it’s important to preserve Caribbean culture, with examples of various ethnic groups’ contributions.
  Link to article

• "Cultural Festivals in the Caribbean"
  Information about key festivals (Crop Over, Carnival, Diwali, Chinese New Year) that help preserve the cultural heritage of the Caribbean.
  Link to article

b) Images and Props:

• Posters or digital images of major Caribbean festivals, such as Carnival, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Hosay.
• Props: Traditional items used in celebrations like sari cloth (Indian), red lanterns (Chinese), and traditional Caribbean carnival masks.