Caribbean American Heritage Month
In the vibrant tapestry of cultures dotting the islands and mainland, a rich and flavorful fusion of traditions thrives.
Certainly the Caribbean islands are known for their warm culture that includes lively music, colorful festivals and sandy beaches. But one of the most amazing things to come out of this region is the people. Over the past few centuries, many Caribbean people have immigrated to bring their own background and essence into their American life.
Caribbean American Heritage Month is here to honor and appreciate these unique and multifaceted people!
History of Caribbean American Heritage Month
Since the founding of the nation more than two centuries ago, Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the culture and well-being of the United States. Even the very first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, was from Nevis, an island in the Caribbean.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month got its start in the nation’s capital, Washington DC, when residents of that city began celebrating the event in 1999. The idea was to show appreciation for the contributions and culture of those American people who have roots in the Caribbean islands.
By 2004, an official campaign to make this a holiday was brought forth by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. And in 2006, Caribbean American Heritage Month was made official when President George W. Bush signed the proclamation that year. This month has been an official event of the US government since that time with subsequent presidents proclaiming it each year.
Cultural contributions from Caribbean Americans that are particularly of note during this month include those related to government, entertainment and sports, as well as the arts. With the rich heritage of the Caribbean islands as a backdrop, events are held all throughout the month where people can learn about, participate in, and celebrate the culture and history of this fascinating group of people.
How to Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month
Caribbean American Heritage Month offers a wide range of opportunities, with thirty full days, to enjoy and celebrate the fascinating culture of the people from these islands. Consider some of these ways it might be possible to participate in this event:
Try Some Caribbean Foods
With so many different cultural backgrounds, the culinary scene of the Caribbean holds a wide range of foods and recipes. Check out some of the interesting recipes and tasty culinary delights that hail from these islands:
- Jerk Chicken. Commonly associated with Jamaica, this spicy grilled meat dish is enjoyed on all of the islands.
- Conch Ceviche. Of course, seafood is perfect in these islands, and Ceviche made from conch, a seafood that is specific to the Bahamas, has a delightful flavor when tossed in lime juice, salt and orange juice.
- Mofongo. This dish hails from Puerto Rico and is made up of green plantains that are mashed and fried, and infused with garlic. With a consistency like mashed potatoes, this food has a sweet and savory flavor when blended with fried pork skins.
- Pineapple Chow. Combine pineapple chunks with pineapple juice, chopped garlic, and fresh cilantro. Then add lime juice, salt and pepper to finish off this dish from Trinidad.
Plan to Visit the Caribbean
If ever there was an ideal time to make plans to visit these amazing islands, this is it! However, because Caribbean American Heritage Month takes place in June, according to the typical weather, it might be better to visit just a bit earlier in the year. In fact, the driest months on the islands tend to be from February to May, though the average temperatures can be in the eighties all throughout the year.
Of course, with so many amazing different islands and places to visit, just one trip likely won’t be enough! But a few places such as Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, or the US Virgin islands might be a great place to start. Visit some white sandy beaches for windsurfing, waterskiing, snorkeling or a plethora of other water sports. Enjoy visiting local terrains such as rainforests and waterfalls, or even get up close to some ancient architectural ruins. There’s absolutely tons to do and explore in the Caribbean Islands!
Get Inspired by Famous Caribbeans
One delightful way to enjoy celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month would be to get better acquainted with a few of the different people who claim this heritage as their own. Look some people up online and do a bit of research into their history and background as American people from the Caribbean. Check out a few of these names to get started with:
- Harry Belafonte. This musician from the 1950s and 1960s was an actor, singer and activist from Jamaica who popularized Calypso music.
- Rihanna. With the full name Robyn Rihanna Fenty, this famous singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman has a heritage that comes from Barbados.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda. An amazingly talented songwriter and performer, Miranda is partially Puerto Rican as well as African and Mexican. He’s famous for his Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton.
- Gloria Estefan. Named as one of the top 100 greatest artists of all time, Estefan, with the Miami Sound Machine, is one of the most famous singers from Cuba.
Learn Interesting Facts About the Caribbean
In order to better understand the background and culture of the Caribbean American people, it is important to gain knowledge and information about the islands themselves. In celebration of this month, perhaps it would be appropriate to learn and also share some interesting bits of information about the culture. Consider some of these to get started with:
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The Caribbean consists of 30 territories that are divided into more than 700 islands, reefs and cays. The main islands include Jamaica, Haiti, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Bahamas and many others.
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Three main languages are spoken, including English, Spanish and French, as well as a local Creole dialect.
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The Caribbean is the location of the shortest runway in the world at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the island of Saba.
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St. Martin/St. Maarten is an island of the Caribbean and is the smallest inhabited island on earth. This island is shared by two people groups – the French and the Netherlands.
