Final outline.docx - The Culture behind St Kitts and Nevis...

The Culture behind St. Kitts and Nevis
Charlene Kabongo
December 03, 2017
Afro-Caribbean 3200
Section 7342
Professor: Mark W. Payne
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This fairly new independent State of St. Kitts-Nevis
presently stands about the size of Washington D.C with a
population of approximately 44,000 with St. Kitts holding
35,000 inhabitants and Nevis with 9,000 inhabitants. It is
located in the western portion of the Caribbean, about 120
miles   east   of   the   U.S   Virgin   Islands,   approximately   250
miles southeast of Puerto Rico. Prior to 1967, the Islands
consisted of three islands, St. Kitts, known as the seat of
government,   Nevis   and   Anguilla.   By   1967   Anguilla   seceded
from the British Federation, and St. Kitts and Nevis became
one poetically independent island in 1983. It’s been stated
that 95% of the populace consist of Afro-Caribbean’s who are
largely   descendants   of   slaves   imported   to   work   on   sugar
plantations   and   the   remainder   are   merely   descendants   of
British settlers and of early and later migrants. St. Kitts
and Nevis inhabitants and residents have a dialect partly
based   on   English   and   partly   on   Several   West   African
languages.   For   the   most   part   English   is   the   language   of
business, religion and schools. However the local dialect
referred to as Kitttitian on Saint Kitts and Nevisian on
Nevis is used in family and at Social gatherings. One can
also   see   this   type   of   tradition   in   a   lot   of   African
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countries that were colonized by the British or the French.
Local dialect or “home languages” are only spoken at home or
among   friends,   while   French   or   English   is   used   in   a
professional setting.
Saint   Kitts   and   Nevis   origins’   is   deeply   held   on
Cultural   symbols.   Both   islands   have   traditional   dances,
music,   garb   and   tales   but   neither   is   committed   to   a
constellation   of   symbols   that   could   anchor   cultural
identity.   Rather   the   different   variety   of   culture   is
celebrated in a series of festivals. Symbolic features such
as   clowns,   Moko-Jumbies   and   other   mythological   figures
represent a key part of St. Kitts’ culture. Originating in
West Africa, Moko-Jumbies or stilt walkers are a favorite
part of the celebration of the culture on St. Kitts. These
popular   figures   derive   from   African   mythology   with
significance   of   the   god   of   vengeance.   The   masquerade   art
form   is   a   combination   of   African   and   European   influences
that   have   been   evolving.   In   Heritage   perspective,   a
documentary on St. Kitts an islander by the name of Perry