Popular culture directly affects the Caribbean and is resulting in a dilution or loss of Caribbean culture. It started off gradually in the 1960′s but has been accelerating in recent years. One of the best places that this is seen is on smaller islands in the Eastern Caribbean that are just recently coming into the tourism market. Nevis, and to a lesser extent the sister island of St. Kitts, is a prime example.

As recently as the mid 1980′s, Nevis was considered 40 years behind the bulk of the Caribbean. It had few telephones and little Television.

The culture was agrarian and comprised of small communities scattered around the island. Social events were school gatherings, community functions, and the “big holidays” of Christmas and Easter. Masquerade groups travelled on foot, roaming from village to village, singing songs and dancing to the tunes played in homemade drums and string instruments. It was the “Old Caribbean”; crime was virtually unknown. Then cable TV invaded!

Suddenly popular culture from North America came. Local singing became nonexistent with traditional tunes such as “Bulldog gonna bite me” losing out to “Let’s get drunk and S…”. Churches lost their appeal and people started craving what they saw advertised on shows.

People started spending their money on race cars instead of reading books. Farming lost out to everyone opening a restaurant and then importing their food.

Popular culture has altered the Caribbean in several fashions and not all have been bad. Some Caribbean music such as Soca, Reggae, and Calypso has spread and been used to bring world attention to the plight of the poor in the Caribbean. The popular concept of “Green Conservation” has taken hold and is rapidly becoming a part of the Caribbean culture, protecting rain forests and reefs that could have been lost.

Unfortunately the popular culture of crime and gangs amongst youth from North America has also been introduced to the Caribbean. On St. Kitts two groups have formed and taken to following the “Crips” and “Bloods”, shooting each other and the police. Police on St. Kitts did not carry guns 10 years ago. The “older” culture is very disturbed by what the “popular” culture is doing.

In some Caribbean destinations, the people are fighting the introduction of popular culture and trying to preserve traditional ways. The government offers courses in folk music and kite building, plus money for those that attend and do well. But this may be playing to the popular desire for cash; Caribbean people use to sing for enjoyment and children made kites for fun!

Popular Culture is here, will stay, and will continue to affect the Caribbean. One can only hope it doesn’t replace the traditional one!