Island Culture

Island culture

One attraction that many people look forward to is the carnivals that Barbados host. Carnival is a celebration whereas men and women dress up in very colorful masquerade costumes and dance to Soca music. Soca music is the official music of the island. Carnival is more influenced by African traditions in spite of Britain’s still very strong influence due to colonization. This festival in Barbados is used to celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest. 

source: http://www.lehwego.com/carnival-info/crop-over-bands-and-costumes-for-2013/

source: http://greattodaynews.com/caribs-most-colorful-carnival/

The island is very small at 167 square miles and is predominately of Afro decent, and there are even small Hindu, Arab, and Jewish communities. 

The reason behind such a large number of Blacks that inhabit the island (92%), is due to the slave trade and British colonization. Barbados gained its independence in the year 1966 and has been known to be very sound economically. 

If you plan on driving in Barbados, be prepared to drive on the left side of the road!

source: http://www.travelthruhistory.com/html/culture76.html

Cuisine 

source: www.randrcruisingbarbados.com

The national dish of Barbados is Coucou and flying fish. A lot of the country's dishes involve fish and have a very strong West African, Indian, and British influence.