Catch A Vibe

From the coast of Florida to the shores South America, the warm waters of Central America to the eastern island seas, the Caribbean is a region of unparalleled beauty. The waters are warm, punctuated with soothing sands to the feet smiling in its famous sunshine. But inland lies the most beautiful of its features, it’s citizens. A history of the movement of peoples, both forced and voluntary, has resulted in a unique blend of cultures that attracts people from near and far.

Arguably, this is the greatest source of Caribbean pride, our culture. And when I speak of culture, I’m talking about our food, music & language. Like many cultures, food is at the center of Caribbean life and some would say that it’s food is as equally famous as its sunshine. Curry, Jerk or Roast, Chicken, Pork or Fish, leave it to your palate to decide what it wants to indulge in; you won’t be disappointed. Going to the home of someone from ‘the islands’ as it’s affectionately called, means that you’ll be presented all kinds of delicious and sometimes spicy food, to which you are not allowed to say no.

When you are in the island streets, the best places to get food is at a ‘corner shop’. It’s a best kept secret that best food comes from the humblest of places. Being the birthplace of many genres, when you go to a Caribbean party, you are going not just to dance, but to sweat. Our music brings physical dancehalls and virtual spaces like TikTok to life, inspiring fashion and creating trends.

Now, we can’t talk about music without getting into carnival! Inspired by the lavish parties of planters, made into our own with the combined music of west Africans & Indians, carnival has become an almost all year round celebration with Trinidad considered the Mecca. Apart from events in other islands, very huge carnivals take place in the UK, NYC & Canada. Finally, we can’t talk about the Caribbean without mentioning language. Many languages are spoken throughout the Caribbean but language isn’t just about English, French, Spanish etc, it’s the creoles that are formed from these that make communicating so colorful.

Whether you speak Haitian Creole or Patois, it is a known fact that when you really want to express yourself, the same thing cannot be said in French or English. Taking it a step further, there is island lingo that matches the vibe to the music and the food and this makes being ‘Caribbean’ so special. So, “mek we catch a vibe or have a line or vinni dance Caribbean style.”

Written by Raul Blaze