Migratory Movements and the Establishment of Settlement Patterns in the Caribbean

What is Migration?
Migration is the movement of people, from one place, region or country to another with
the intention of making permanent settlement in a new location.
Ethnic Groups in the Caribbean

Amerindians
Africans
East Indians
Chinese

Europeans
Syrians, Lebanese, Jews

Periods of Arrival
1. First Wave the Amerindians ( 10, 000 13, 000 years ago): Pre-Columbus
It is believed that the earliest settlers in the Caribbean came through Belize
into the Greater Antilles; and
Others came through the Orinoco Region of the South America and
Migrated into the Eastern Caribbean (Arawaks and Caribs).
2. Second Wave The Europeans 1942 1600 (Spaniards, French, British,
Dutch, Germans)
Why did they come?
To spread Christianity
To find new trade route

To find wealth (gold)

To establish settlements
Tobacco and sugar cultivation

3. Third Wave The Africans (1517 1807, the Slave Trade)

Between the 1500s and 1800s, African slaves were transported to the west
Indies by the English and French slave traders;
They were brought to the West Indies to provide labour on the sugar
plantations;
This period can be defined as forced or involuntary migration.
4. Fourth Wave The post Emancipation Era (19th 20th century)
Most freed slaves were reluctant to work on the plantations;
A labour shortage developed after emancipation, especially in British Guiana,
Trinidad and Jamaica;
Different immigration schemes were used to solve this problem
a. European labour 1834 1838
b. Madeirans and Maltese 1835 1882
c. Free African Immigrants 1841 -1862
1

d. Chinese Immigration 1852 1893 - Indentured immigrants

e. East Indian Immigration 1838 1917 Indentured immigrants

Impact of migration on Caribbean Society and Culture

It created a culturally diverse society each ethnic group

adds to the increasing diversity of the Caribbean society and
culture through the mixing of various religions, customs and
practices. (syncretism)

It created a hybridized society where the mixing of cultural

norms, practices and customs creates a new culture from the
existing ones within the society.

It created cultural conflicts among the dominant ethnic or racial

groups within the society; this conflict is also noticeable in
various institutions within the society for e.g. the political
system.

Ethnic prejudices are perpetuated

especially within the family.

through

socialization,

Readings
Mohammed, J. (2007). CAPE Caribbean Studies: An Interdisciplinary
Approach. Malaysia: Macmillan Publishers Limited. Chapter 4
Hamber and Greenwood (1985). Emancipation to Emigration.
Hillman, Richard .S. & DAgostino, Thomas, J. (2003). Understanding
the Contemporary Caribbean. Jamaica: Ian Randle Publishers.
Any other Caribbean History Text where this issue is discussed.