Sociology Plus
Definition
Afro-Caribbean refers to an individual of African heritage who moved to or currently resides in the Caribbean. In the U.K., the phrase refers to those who traveled to Britain as part of the post-World War II labor migration of residents of the Caribbean Islands and their descendants.
History
A significant share of contemporary Africans in the Caribbean are descended from Africa, and they are transported there as enslaved people during the transatlantic slave trade between the 15th and 19th centuries, primarily to work on different sugar plantations and in household environments.
Descent
Due to multiple marriages and unions amongst Caribbean peoples throughout history, people of Afro-Caribbean heritage today are primarily of West African ancestry. However, they may also be of European, South Asian, and native Caribbean lineage.
Religion and Language
Most Caribbean peoples are Christians, although some also follow African-derived or syncretic faiths like Santeria or Vodou. In addition, many people speak creole languages like Papiamento, Jamaican Patois, or Haitian Creole.
Dance forms
Due to the shared motions of the many Afro-Caribbean dance styles, they are sometimes regarded as one distinct style. These dances often include numerous conflicting rhythms, or polyrhythms, that the dancers follow.
The dances may either represent features of body isolation, where the dance at one moment concentrates on one body part, or they can be polycentric, with many body parts moving at once. Hip rolling and hip-swinging are often emphasized due to African traditions in places like the Congo, Angola, and former Zaire.
Food
Afro-Caribbean cuisine combines culinary art and the heritage of African society. Afro-Caribbean cuisine, which originated due to the European slave trade that transported locals to the islands, is influenced by the northern half of Africa. Indian and Chinese migrants added rice and curries to the larder, adding to the layers of the multi-cultural food.