Diaspora in Latin America and Caribbean diaspora From

Diaspora in Latin America and Caribbean

diaspora • From Greek word meaning “dispersion” • Classic diaspora is the Jewish diaspora of Jews from their ancestral homeland (Land of Israel) and their other communities • After destruction of temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD/CE

Prototypical (classic) diasporas • Jewish diaspora was a type of involuntary mass dispersal of people; the predominant character of this type of diaspora is victims of expulsion • Traumatic dispersal from an original homeland • Collective memory of the homeland • Other diasporas of this type include African slave trade, displacement of Palestinians from Israel • Meaning of diaspora has widened to include the very complex transnational communities and identities in today’s world. • Alluded to in our first reading “Latin American Geographies” • Deterritorialization of Latin America

Common features of diaspora 1. Dispersal from an original homeland, often traumatically, to two or more foreign regions 2. alternatively or additionally, the expansion from a homeland in search of work, in pursuit of trade or to further colonial ambitions 3. a collective memory and myth about the homeland, including its location, history, suffering and achievements 4. an idealization of the real or imagined ancestral home and a collective commitment to its maintenance, restoration, safety and prosperity, even to its creation 5. the frequent development of a return movement to the homeland that gains collective approbation even if many in the group are satisfied with only a vicarious relationship or intermittent visits to the homeland

6. a strong ethnic group consciousness sustained over a long time and based on a sense of distinctiveness, a common history, the transmission of a common cultural and religious heritage and the belief in a common fate 7. a troubled relationship with host societies, suggesting a lack of acceptance or the possibility that another calamity might befall the group 8. a sense of empathy and co-responsibility with co-ethnic members in other countries of settlement even where home has become more vestigial 9. the possibility of a distinctive creative, enriching life in host countries with a tolerance for pluralism.

Atlantic Triangular trade

• Slave trade animation

Africans Principal labor force in Caribbean from 1518 -1850 decimation of indigenous population of Caribbean slave societies : majority slaves with enclaves of slaveholders as opposed to US and Brazil: slaveholders were majority Africans did not undergo SOCIAL DEATH by coming across Atlantic held fast a vision and memory of homeland

Transatlantic slave trade • Began Charles I sanctioned direct import of Africans to colonies 1518 • By 1550, thousands of Africans were transported to colonies, mainly Hispaniola • Four phases

First phase 1518 -1620 • 125, 000 slaves To Spanish and Portuguese colonies • 75, 000 to Spanish • 50, 000 to Brazil

Second Phase 1620 - 1700 • 350, 000 to Americas (25, 000 to Europe) • Brazil received 42% • Spanish America (Hispaniola, Puerto rico, Cuba, Mexico, Central America, Andes) 25% • English Caribbean: 20% • French Caribbean : 12% • Dutch Caribbean: 3% • Sugar, cotton, tobacco, indigo, rice

Third Phase 1710 - 1810 • Height of the slave trade; 60% of trade (6 million Africans) • • • 31% to Brazil 23% to British plantations (Barbados, Jamaica) 22% to French Caribbean (Hispaniola, Martinique, Guadeloupe) 9. 6 % to Spanish Caribbean (Cuba) 8% to Dutch Caribbean <6 % to North America

Fourth Phase 1810 - 1870 • • 2 million Africans 60% to Brazil 32% to Cuba, Puerto Rico 5% to Franch Antilles (Martinique, Guadeloupe) • AFRICANS FORMED VIABLE DIASPORIC COMMUNITIES

Descendant populations Regions with largest African-descended populations are those where sugar plantations were abundant.

Collective myth about African homeland? • Ethiopia : seen as heartland of African civilization (“Zion”) • Also a concept of blackness and Africanity • Rastafarianism makes connection to Jewish history: Babylon is white establishment; signifies slavery and oppression • Believe they are the true Jews of prophecy

rastafarianism • Originated in Jamaica in 1930 s • 1930: tribal warlord was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia; took the name : Haile Selassie • Some preachers in Jamaica prayed to him as the living god and hope of African redemption (many biblical references to Ethiopia; descendant of King Solomon) • Worshippers became known as Rastafarians • Did not shave (“no razor shall touch the head of the faithful”) • Wore hair in dreadlocks

• Some smoked ganja; others shunned it • Often vegetarian; roots, fruits, whole grains, vegetables • “Babylon” is corrupt modern society • Hope to find peace in “Zion” Bob Marley embodied Rastafarian culture; ambassador of reggae • Influenced reggae music “By the Rivers of Babylon”

Marcus Garvey • Jamaican-born • Promoted self-esteem and dignity • In response to many Africans in Americas for whom Africa signified slavery, poverty, denigration, exploitation, white superiority and loss of self-respect • Universal Negro Improvement Association • To restore pride in African heritage • 1920: 4 million members • W. E. B. Du. Bois • Another leader of African diaspora • a sense of empathy and solidarity with co-ethnic members worldwide and • a sense of distinctiveness, a common history and the belief in a common fate.

Du. Bois “On this vast continent were born and lived a large proportion of my direct ancestors going back a thousand years or more. But one thing is sure and that is the fact that since the fifteenth century these ancestors of mine and their other descendants have had a common history, have suffered a common disaster and have one long memory. . . But the physical bond is the least [tie] and [merely] the badge; the real essence of this kinship is its social heritage of slavery, the discrimination and insult; and this heritage binds together not simply the children of Africa but extends through yellow Asia and into the South Seas. It is this Unity that draws me to Africa”.

Cultural achievements of African diaspora • Dance, literature, architecture, sculpture, fine art • Musical traditions: • • • Jazz Blues Ragtime Gospel Swing Samba Calyso Ska reggae

Deterritorialized diasporas • Groups who have “lost” conventional territorial reference points to become mobile and multi-located cultures • E. g. Afro-Caribbean migrants to elsewhere • Everyone in the Caribbean is from elsewhere

3. 5 million Caribbean immigrants in US (2009)

Hybrid identity • Identity among Afro-Latinos 2

African folk catholicism • “syncretism” has been traditional view of blending diverse cultures into a new Caribbean culture: creole • “symbiosis” is term used by recent scholars to describe religions in Caribbean: they coexist without being fused • Christian-oriented but highly Africanized religions

A few examples… • • • Shakers (penitents) St. Vincent and Trinidad Spiritual Baptists Revivalism Jamaica Bedwardnism Shango : Trinidad Voodoo: Haiti • Belief in Obeah: magical powers of spirit world

• Majority of Caribbean people are descendants of west African countries • Wide range of tribal groups and languages • 50 cultural groups • Scraps of religious beliefs became a composite with regional variations • Themes: spirit world where good and evil battled; respect for ancestors • African religious beliefs were outlawed during plantation slavery • Feared revolt • Practiced in secrecy • Obeah is still criminalized in documents today

voodoo • Originated from Dahomey • Based in worship of good serpent, Dangbay • Priest communicates with spirit • Worship includes dance, drumming, chants