The Birth Of Caribbean Civilisation

A collection of excerpts of the writings and speeches of Caribbean intellectuals, ranging in scope from J.J. Thomas and Jose Marti in the late nineteenth century to the present day.

"Ever since the collapse of the West Indies Federation in 1958, debate has raged on the subject of regional integration. In this collection, the contributors illustrate that Caribbean people s similarities far outweigh any drawbacks from their diversity. The survival and success of regional institutions in health, social services, youth empowerment, education and agriculture, among others, have served to create a common bond of understanding and appreciation of the oneness of the Caribbean people. While the regional integration movement is primarily an institutional activity, its success will depend largely on the impact on the people of the region by these institutions. The contributors argue that an approach which puts people a the centre of development is necessary for the construction and effective functioning of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy the linchpin of Caribbean survival in the new globalized dispensation. "

This collection of speeches is the first in a series called "Caribbean Ideas". Combining scholarship and an easy style of communicating complex ideas in this collection, Dr. Gonsalves puts forward what could be considered a robust defense of the idea that the Caribbean is indeed a civilization.

This book seeks to debunk eleven popular and prevalent myths about Caribbean history. Using archaeological evidence, it corrects many previous misconceptions promulgated by history books and oral tradition as they specifically relate to the pre-Colonial and European-contact periods. It informs popular audiences, as well as scholars, about the current state of archaeological/historical research in the Caribbean Basin and asserts the value of that research in fostering a better understanding of the region’s past. Contrary to popular belief, the history of the Caribbean did not begin with the arrival of Europeans in 1492. It actually started 7,000 years ago with the infusion of Archaic groups from South America and the successive migrations of other peoples from Central America for about 2,000 years thereafter. In addition to discussing this rich cultural diversity of the Antillean past, Myths and Realities of Caribbean History debates the misuse of terms such as “Arawak” and “Ciboneys,” and the validity of Carib cannibalism allegations.

This collection of eleven essays is designed to highlight some important new voices who have been doing research on the general subject areas of the history and culture of the Caribbean. The essays in this volume also address a number of themes which are critical to developing an understanding of current scholarly work on the two broad subject areas. Among the themes examined are colonialism, slavery, and the involvement of the Christian Church in both colonial rule and enslavement. The essays also analyze the pre-independence and post-independence periods of the twentieth century, with examinations on topics that include prostitution, departmentalization, education, visual art, and the musical form known as Reggae. The purpose of this book is to stimulate discussion around these important topics based on the perspectives of a number of new scholars. The book is also designed as a teaching device, principally for courses focusing on Caribbean society, whether in the past or the present.

This volume collects new angles and perspectives on issues shaping the development of the Caribbean. Bringing together essays on regional integration, identity, and culture and focusing on foundational personalities and institutions in the region, this book opens up new lines of inquiry on twentieth-century Caribbean history. Essays examine popular perspectives of the West Indies Federation; the intersections of ideology and governance through key figures such as C. L. R. James and Rawson William Rawson; the socioeconomic context of Caribbean foodways; and Carnival as a tool of cultural diplomacy. Integration is a critical theme throughout. Pointing to the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage, this book explores how Caribbean unification may provide a way forward for this patchwork of island territories facing the challenges of the twenty-first century.