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ETHNIC IDENTITIES AND NATIONALISM IN THE STREETS: THE POLITICAL MANIPULATION OF ART AND RELIGION IN TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES A Dissertation by FRANCESCA GIANCRISTOFARO-CALVI Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY August 2000 Major Subject: Anthropology Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number 9980150 UMI* UMI Microform9980150 Copyright 2000 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ETHNIC IDENTITIES AND NATIONALISM IN THE STREETS: THE POLITICAL MANIPULATION OF ART AND RELIGION IN TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES A Dissertation by FRANCESCA GIANCRISTOFARO-CALVI Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved as-tostyle and content by: Norbert Dannhaeuser Vaughn M. Bryant { r (Chair of Committee) (Member) Kathryn HendersonKathryr Eduardo Bonilla-Silva (Member) (Member) David L. Carlson (Head of Department) August 2000 Major Subject: Anthropology Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Ethnic Identities and Nationalism in the Streets: The Political Manipulation of Art and Religion in Trinidad, West Indies. (August 2000) Francesca Giancristofaro-Caivi, B.A.; B.S.; M.S., University of Massachusetts: M.A., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Norbert Dannhaeuser The identity of a community is shaped by socio-economic factors as well as history. The Caribbean island of Trinidad is characterized by a weak economy, high unemployment, and a variety of ethnic, class, and religious groups. Diverse kinship structures, economic opportunities, cultural behaviors, and residential patterns have facilitated the persistence of spatial and social differentiation. Despite this history, my research suggests that trends toward social homogenization are becoming stronger and that a growing ethnically mixed population may facilitate a cultural, and possibly even a political bridging between local collectivities. Studies on ritual practices suggest that public celebrations are used as demarcators of boundaries and as weapons in the conflict over political and economic supremacy. The recognition of the power struggles invested in Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. religious and artistic expressions can therefore enhance our understanding of the social fabric of a country. This research focuses on the impact that selected Trinidadian cultural forms have on shaping local ethnic identities and citizenry. In particular, it hypothesizes that public celebrations can function as occasions where differences and tensions are negotiated in a relatively peaceful manner. My work limits its scope to the numerically predominant Afro- Trinidadian and East Indo-Trinidadian communities. Through participant observations and interviews, it explores the government's over-arching nation- building effort as well as practices of resistance to it by Trinidadians of African and East Indian descent (Africans and Indians hereafter). Furthermore, it discusses the relevance of globalizing economic forces and their profound effect in providing this society with alternative identities. In a world where countries are often threatened from within by antagonistic groups intent on nationalistic, religious, or ethnic cleansing, it is my hope that this work will produce insights into how ideologies acknowledging pluralism of expressions and beliefs can contribute to a more tolerant society. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. V A mia mamma Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my Committee Chair Dr. Norbert Dannhaeuser, and the advisory members Dr. Vaughn Bryant, Dr. Kathryn Henderson, Dr. Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, and GCR Dr. Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni. They have generously offered me their time and experience as well as their friendly support throughout all stages of this work. I am also indebted in many ways to the individuals and families in the beautiful island of Trinidad who have contributed to the success of my research. In particular, the following people have facilitated my entrance in different communities: Mrs. G. Ramsingh, Ravi Ji, and theHindu Prachar Kendra; Mrs. D. Misrilal and the National Council of Indian Culture; Mr. N. Fleming, Mr. C. Grey and the staff at the Ministry of Culture and Community Development; Mrs. Z. Hosein, the members of the Bis-Ali tadjah-yard, and various local Islamic families; Mr. J. Lopez and the Silver Stars steelband; the Rada community of Belmont; Mr. G. Padia and the Thompson's; Mr. E. King; Mr. S. Baja; theKali Mata Devi Mandir, and too many faculty and staff at the University of the West Indies and the Institute for Social and Economic Research to be mentioned. Without the assistance and friendship of these individuals this dissertation could not have been written. Finally, I am grateful for the support, encouragement, and patience of my close friends and family. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. v i i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT............................................................................................... iii DEDICATION........................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.......................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................... vii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION............................................................................. 1 II RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..................................................... 6 III HISTORICAL BACKGROUND..................................................... 14 Early History of the Caribbean Region..................................... 14 The Plantations............................................................................ 16 British Colonialism...................................................................... 17 Indentureship............................................................................... 18 The 20,h Century........................................................................... 23 IV LITERATURE REVIEW: RACE, ETHNICITY, AND IDENTITY 32 Introduction.................................................................................. 32 Perspectives on Ethnicity........................................................... 36 Conclusions.................................................................................. 49 V COMPETING FORCES AND SOCIAL CHANGE...................... 52 Introduction.................................................................................. 52 Trinidadian Economic History and Globalization................... 54 Nationalism.................................................................................. 60 Hybridism...................................................................................... 65 Creolization............................................................................. 66 Douglarization........................................................................ 72 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. v i i i CHAPTER Page VI SECULAR EVENTS AND SYMBOLIC ACTION......................