Dance Evolution in the Caribbean

Africa&s;s intangible heritage, embodied in the lived experiences of the enslaved Africans, arrived on Caribbean islands during the 16th century. As religious practices were ‘an everyday’ activity for Africans, they continued these practices whenever and wherever they were able to. The harsh realities of enslavement impacted lives, yet despite the challenges, African culture began to emerge on new soil. This chapter teases out how Africa&s;s rich cultural traditions found new expressions in the Caribbean. In particular, the chapter focuses on religious and dance development on the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago and in Jamaica. Traditional African cultural practices were strengthened on the plantations and despite several laws by successive British and other European Governments to ban drumming and dancing, African culture survived and, over a period, was transformed and creolised.