Heritage in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

The unique elements of history and heritage in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are clearly visible throughout the grouping of islands. Thanks in part to the preservation of strong influences from native inhabitants, Africa, England, and France, there is growing interest in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The natural beauty of the islands is not limited to its beaches and lush mountainous terrace, but also includes the islands’ rich and diverse customs and traditions have thus shaped their cultural heritage and social values.

One of the reasons why culture, heritage and history in the Caribbean are so popular in the Caribbean, is because they are present all throughout the year. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, at any time of year, you can gain insights into the islands’ diverse cultures. When visiting, pay close attention to the architecture, festivals and carnivals, food and drink, dialect and language, music, and dance, art and craft, and traditions and customs.

Architecture

Much of the older architecture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was inspired by the French and the British. To this day, some of their influences are visible in the islands, especially in Kingstown, the capital city of St. Vincent. Some of the streets are lined with cobblestones and one of the major landmarks, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral features Gothic design elements. Some other examples of historic architecture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are Fort Duvernette, Fort Charlotte, and St. George’s Cathedral.

Festivals and Carnivals

Many of the festivals and carnivals in the Caribbean are deeply rooted in culture and history. Vincy Mas, one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated carnivals is an excellent example. Colonizers on the island held a pre-lenten festival, but they limited the participation of the enslaved people. However, when slavery was abolished in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the once enslaved people embraced the festival and made it their own. In the late 1890s, there were some efforts made to ban the festival which led to the historic Carnival Riots. But the people prevailed and the festival which is now held in July is one of the highlights on the St. Vincent event calendar.

Food and Drink

Cuisine is another indicator of history and heritage in St. Vincent and Grenadines. Food and drink in the islands reflect their influences which include native Caribs, African, French and British. Food in St. Vincent is a language which is expressed through how meals are prepared. In some instances, food preparation techniques are uniquely Vincentian and are valuable illustrations of creativity and ingenuity. There is deep pride in eating locally grown food as well as respect for living off the earth. Visitors to the islands should try a meal of roasted breadfruit and jackfish, which is the national dish of St. Vincent.

Dialect and Language

Vincentian creole is another authentic cultural indicator in the islands. The language, which is often called broken French, is a mixture of French, English and African languages. Although at some point in time, this type of Vincentian speech was labelled as “uneducated” and an impediment to “social development”. However, it is a unique lexicon that should be embraced. Skilled Vincentian linguists can effectively switch between creole and standard English, depending on the environment. Language is used to “express ideas, feelings, requests” and the language and dialect of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are rich and colourful expressions.

Music and Dance

The origins of music and dance can be traced back to the days of slavery in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Music plays a big role in celebrations of death, life, and other aspects of everyday events. Many of the musical genres found throughout the Caribbean are also present. The more popular genres are calypso, soca, reggae as well as big drum. Throughout the year, music events are held to showcase the best talent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Caribbean. Conversely, Vincentians use dance as one of their chosen forms of expression. Three of the islands’ traditional dances which are often highlighted during festivals are the Punta, Quadril and the Maypole dance. Other dances such as the Big Drum Dance and Dancing the Cake are performed in Union Island and Canouan.

Art and Craft

Because of its influences over the years, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a strong and diverse art and craft culture. Talented artisans have passed down skills in making many items using raw materials grown on the island. Canoes and boats are made from the Gommier tree and hard wood. Straw is the raw material of choice to make baskets, mats, brooms, baskets, and fish pots. For instruments such as drums, artisans use goat skin and palm trees are used to make drums, In addition they use bamboo is to make flutes. Locally hand-made craft items and souvenirs can be purchased from the Wallilabou Craft Centre and the Kingstown Market.

Traditions and Customs

Sometimes the unwritten traditions and customs are the most interesting aspects of culture in the Caribbean. In St. Vincent and Grenadines, there are many examples to observe. One is the reliance on bush medicine for aches, pains and ailments. Bush medicine consists of using natural plants and herbs to cure ills. Another custom is holding a wake after a death in the family. The wake, which is a social gathering, usually takes place three days after the death or after the funeral.

History and Heritage in St. Vincent and the Grenadines