The Afro-Caribbeans of Eastern Parkway CultureFrom The Peopling of New York City
Culture on Eastern ParkwayEastern Parkway is predominately populated by two major ethnic groups whose cultures thrive on the streets of the Parkway: the African-American (mainly West Indian, or “Afro-Caribbean”) and Lubavitcher Hasidic Jew enclave. Largely isolated from one another, each enclave has preserved some major cultural tenets related to their respective ethnic groups.
The Afro-Caribbean EnclaveAn overwhelming majority of the population on Eastern Parkway is of African descent, and an overwhelming majority of that population is specifically Afro-Caribbean, that is, Africans from the West Indies. This umbrella term includes ethnic denomination from countries like Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and many many more. Together, their ethnic stamp on the community is undeniable, and the cultural landscape in this neighborhood has been transformed to meet the needs and mimic the tastes, smells, sights, and sounds of these diverse ethnic groups from the West Indies. [1].
The MarketsA sample of the foods found at markets along this side of Eastern Parkway is a reflection of the West Indian flavor imported on the Parkway. Main staples of the West Indian diet can be seen here. The FoodFood is a very powerful expression and representation of West Indian culture. On Eastern Parkway, the smells wafting from the myriad restaurants on each block and the colorful menus and signs are a testament to this. There are dozens of roti shops, Creole-inspired restaurants and bakeries specializing in Caribbean delicacies, and Jamaican and Trinidadian diners. Glass windows are plastered with signs advertising jerk chicken, patties, rice and peas, curry goat, ackee and satfish, and fried plantains, to name a few popular regional dishes.
The Shops and ServicesMany of the shops and services cater to a very select West Indian clientele. There are numerous Caribbean social clubs, dance halls, record stores, and Spiritual Baptist storefront churches. There is a Dominican-run Sonny’s Barber Shop, and African-American Bonafide Beauty Supply store, a Haitian-run make-up retailer called Marie PaNou, and a Korean-run Hana and Long Nail Salon.
The MusicMusic is another central expression of Caribbean culture, which shapes the cultural landscape of the neighborhood with its various dance halls and record shops spilling its diverse musical beats into the streets. Musical genres to encounter on the Parkway include: the incredibly popular reggae, zouk, salsa, calypso, a touch of the Bahamas with goombay, some Cuba zest with conga, Dominican Republic flair with merengue, compass from Haiti, Jamaican ska, and Trinidad and Tobago steel pans. "Sweet Calypso Woman" Steel Band [2].
The LanguageOn the Parkway, though English is the dominate language, there are smatterings of the mother tongue to be heard, yet another import and cultural stamp on the neighborhood. The numerous different creoles of each island is well represented here, for example, Haitian creole, with its mixtures of French, Spanish, English, and native West and Central African languages. There is also Caribbean English to be heard, a distinct Wes Indian English dialect. Below is an example of this mixture of this Caribbean and English mix, known as patois [4].:
The WorshipThere are various denominations of the Christian faith throughout the Parkway, and churches provide valuable services to their West Indian population. On Nostrand Ave., there is the Philadelphia Sabbath Cathedral. On Rogers Ave there is the Shiloh 7th Day Adventist led by Pastor Richards, who runs a strictly West Indian service. Directly across the street from this is the 1st Baptist Church, whose congregation is also mainly West Indian. In these houses of worship the culture of these islanders are kept alive, in such social gatherings as the Unique Hat and Tea Party Club, Kappa VII, and the monthly Cajun Fish Fry.
New York City’s Largest Cultural Celebration: The West Indian Day CarnivalThe most popular event and most notable cultural “landmark” on Eastern Parkway takes place annually within this enclave. This refers to none other than the “West Indian Day Carnival” (also known as the “Labor Day Parade”). Over 2 million people are estimated to participate in the carnival, and almost $200 million can be expected to be made from each annual event. The West Indian Day Carnival was imported to New York City in the 1920s by a group of Trinidad and Caribbean immigrants who wanted to celebrate their carnival tradition. Running from the Thursday before Labor Day through the weekend, it is a parade that runs from Eastern Parkway on to Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. The parade includes the celebration of each Caribbean Island ethnic group, through the heavy and colorful representation of its music, its cuisine, and its native art. The spirit of Carnival is an incredible expression of pride in the Caribbean heritage, and as WIADCA, the official website of the West Indian Day Parade writes: "It was the true spirit of carnival that enabled this migrant population to move from relative obscurity to one of political and economic power. And even as the times and seasons change, the spirit of carnival remains constant – a unique celebration that goes beyond the boundaries of race, color, creed or social status. " [5].
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