THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

By Rehina Bobryk, Maria Cordero, Diana Covalscaia., Olga Deric,

Megan Dooley, and Kimberly D.urant

THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CULTURE IS PRESENTED BY THE

FOLLOWING:

History by Megan Dooley

Geography and Politics by Rehina Bobryk

Religion and Rituals by Olga Deric

Female Gender Role and Informal Use of Clothing by Maria

Cordero

Male Gender role and Non-Verbal use of clothing by Diana

Covalscaia

Music and Art by Kimberly Durant

INTRODUCTION

Join us as we learn the geography, history and foundation

of the great British Virgin Islands (BVI). This presentation

will explore the politics, history, spirituality and rituals of

BVI and enhance one’s knowledge of the islands culture,

music, gender roles, art and numerous celebrations

honoring growth, respect, humanity and prosperity. In

honor of our unique differences, we present the British

Virgin Islands.

HISTORY OF THE BVIThe Arawak Indians from South America inhabited the islands until about the 15th century. Some sources state that they had occupied the islands since 100 B.C. They were displaced by the more aggressive Caribs (for whom the Caribbean Sea is named). Christopher Columbus explored the Virgin Islands in 1493. Columbus named the islands Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Vírgenes (Saint Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins), shortened to Las Vírgenes. At that time, the Carib people lived there. By 1596, most of the Carib had been killed or fledBoth the Dutch and the British developed an interest in the Virgin Islands during the 17th century. They were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The Dutch, led by Joost van Dyk, created settlements in the early 1600s. He formed the Dutch West India Company, which farmed and traded tobacco and cotton. In 1625, 1640, 1646, and 1647, the Spanish launched significant assaults on Tortola. They killed all of the Dutch and destroyed the settlements as well as Road Town.Over the centuries, government structure was very weak. Legislatures were established and crumbled. An agent who was selling a distressed cargo of slaves from a shipwreck in Tortola in 1803 wrote that "Tortola is well nigh the most miserable, worst-inhabited spot in all the British possessions . . . this unhealthy part of the globe appears overstocked with each description of people except honest ones."

HISTORY OF THE BVIThe British established a profitable sugar business on their large plantations, which primarily used slave labour. When slavery was abolished in 1838, the economy declined to the extent that many Europeans returned home.There were many rebellions and disturbances during the 1800s. Probably the most significant of these was the insurrection of 1853, which some call the “single most defining event in the islands’ history.” On August 1, a large number of rural labourers (mostly former slaves) descended on Road Town to protest high taxes. Authorities reacted poorly and violence ensued. Nearly half of Road Town was burned, and plantation houses and crops were destroyed. Many residents fled, and soldiers from other islands were brought in to ensure peace. Because of its economic and social problems, the Legislative Council was dissolved in 1901. During the following years, there was virtually no change in conditions on the islands. Then in 1947, the people began to rise up and ask for their own government structure.

HISTORY OF THE BVI

Economic and general living conditions on the island continued to be very poor into the 20th century. Assistance from Great Britain was negligible through the time of the World Wars due to its own challenges at home.

In 1917, St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix were sold to the United States, thereby creating the U.S. Virgin Islands.

During the 1960s, the British Virgin Islands were given greater autonomy within the British Commonwealth. The islands have their own constitution and a local legislative council which handles island affairs. The governor, who is selected by the Queen, deals in external affairs and island security.

The socio-economic status of the islands remained much the same until the 1960s. At that time, Laurence Rockefeller and Charlie Cary launched the tourism industry.

The majority of the population is of African descent. English is the primary language, with some Creole and Spanish spoken as well. The islands’ economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous U.S. Virgin Islands to the west; the U.S. dollar is the legal currency.

The British Virgin Islands are located in

the Virgin Islands archipelago between the

Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

They comprise around sixty tropical

Caribbean islands, ranging in size from the

largest, Tortola 20 km (12 mi) long and

5 km (3 mi) wide, to tiny uninhabited islets.

Most of the islands are volcanic in origin

and have a hilly, rugged terrain. The total

area of the BVI is 59 square miles.

GEOGRAPHY OF BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

T H E C A P I TA L O F T H E B R I T I S H V I R G I N I S L A N D S I S R O A D T O W N, A N D I T I S S I T UAT E D O N T H E S O U T H E A S T C O A S T O F T O R T O L A A N D I S A P O R T O F E N T RY.

Of the approximately 22,000 population that live in the British

Virgin Islands, 18,000 are predicted to live on Tortola exclusively.

The Governor General is then

advised by a Premier and his or

her cabinet. This collective group

from the Queen down to the

Premier make up the Executive

branch, the highest form of power

in the country.

POLITICS OF BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Queen Elizabeth II is

considered the monarch and

head of state. Due to her being

unable to reside in the British

Virgin Islands, a Governor

General is appointed to act on

her behalf.

Of the approximately 22,000 population that live in the British Virgin Islands, 18,000 are predicted to live on Tortola exclusively.

As in many parts of the Caribbean, some islanders still practice ancient African beliefs, such as animism, the worship of ancestors, spirits, and magic.Obeah, or magic is practiced to encourage the spirits and ancestors to do good deeds. These supernatural practices are often combined with mainstream religion, for a mixed belief in both spirits of African tradition and in the God of contemporary Westernized religions.

FACTS OF VIRGIN ISLAND RELIGION

Christianity is the prevailing BVI religionReligion in the Virgin Islands has a long history as no one could argue with any conviction, of its contribution to our social, cultural, educational and economic development.There is no attempt at separating church and state in the British Virgin Islands. Prayers open House of Assembly meetings; school days begin with prayer; and references to God are common in political discourse.

People in British Virgin Islands are very religious

Churches are the source of much social welfare and the center of regular social contact

The AM radio station opens its daily broadcast with a two hour devotional service

Public prayer opens the school day and most public events

During October and November, farm produce and home baked goods are brought into

BVI churches and children perform special hymns and recitations in an annual Harvest

Festival

In August, congregations join in commemorating

emancipation with a special service at the site where

the emancipation proclamation was read on

1 August 1834.

RITUALS IN THE BRITISH V IRGIN ISLANDS

GENDER ROLES OF WOMEN

Girls are expected to stay close to home as opposed to boys

who are allowed to venture farther

Female students make up at 50% of all students enrolled in

every educational level

Women have the right to vote at the age of 18

Women hold the majority of positions in education and a

significant number of senior positions in the civil service

Women influence their communities through their church and

leadership roles in community events such as Festival

Division of Labor:

BVI men occupy almost all public offices as well as a significant number of upper-level management positions in the private sector.

Nationals from other Caribbean countries are the majority of service workers, with men working in construction and boat maintenance and repair and as gardeners and cooks

Division by Relative Status:

Men tend to participate in public life through membership in civic associations and daily information exchange BVI men are more active in politics and law According to the Everyculture.com “The status of men and women alike. It is measured in terms of the strong independent and entrepreneurial spirit that is held to be characteristic of British Virgin Islanders of both genders.”

MALE GENDER ROLES

Read more: Culture of British Virgin Islands http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/British-Virgin-Islands.html#ixzz1n0d6Xtkr

CLOTHING INF ORMAL AT TIRE

People of the BVI dress very conservativelyIt is acceptable to wear bikinis and swimsuits on the beaches, but it is illegal to wear such clothing in certain cities and towns in BVIMen and women are expected to dress conservatively at all times. Women cannot show bare midriffs or wear short shorts. Men should not walk around shirtless or with an unbuttoned shirt.It is fairly unusual to find men in suits and ties, or with raincoats.

COSTUMES

BVI does not currently have a formal dress to symbolize their cultureTheir costumes represent their pride, their history and their arts.Costumes are worn during a huge Festival throughout the month of August as shown on the left

Miss British Virgin Islands 2010 – Josefina Nuñez

National Costume

“FUNGI MUSIC”To understand the history of Fungi music starts with knowing the word meaning. Fungi is derived from a West African word that describes a type of cornmeal dish. A fungi is a “cook up” or a mixture of various flavors that meld together and tastes good. Fungi music roots date back to field slaves who worked the islands sugar plantations. The slaves found song as a way to communicate and sang along to rhythms, which they created with their bodies and tools. Fungi music was the outcome- a ‘cook up” of music, a sweet mixture of sound that comes together to make sweet sounds. Music is an important part of the islands culture, so much so that Fungi music is a part of the school curriculum.

An old time Fungi Band from the 1860's.

FUNGI BANDSA Fungi band, also called “scratch bands” use instruments ranging from calabash, washboard, bongos and ukulele, to more traditional western instruments like keyboard, banjo, guitar, bass, triangle and saxophone. . Apart from being a form of festive dance music, Fungi often contains humorous social commentaries, as well as BVI oral history. Modern scratch bands play a wide range of dances, including calypsos, boleros, quadrilles, international pop songs, merangues, mazurkas, waltzes, jigs and other

styles.

ART IN THE ISLANDSThe Haitian "running man“ figure which the artwork weaves in steel (photo: Aragorn Studio).

Mangrove Life- copper wall sculptures.

"Caribbean Afternoon"Fine art print from a watercolor by Jinx Morgan

The WallTortola, British Virgin Islands

Funji BandThe Wall, Tortola, BVI

Hummingbird by David Thrasher

ART OF THE ISLANDSThe works of British Virgin Island artists are prominently displayed in public buildings, small shops and galleries.Currently the islands does not have a national art gallery.Art is not formally taught in the school and is not currently a part of the curriculum. BV Islanders have used art as a way of recording history

as with their music. The Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival is held yearly to

honor and render appreciation to local artist and craftsman. Bamboushay

Pottery – turtle themed Caribbean Sconce

CONCLUSION

To conclude, this presentation sought to capture a

glimpse into the magnificent British Virgin Islands.

Not only the beauty, but also the essence of the

islands including spirituality, history, rituals and

politics in which it derived. Each area of study

solidifies our differences in which we come from-

culture, roles in society, genre of music and even

love of the arts. Respecting our differences can only

improve the way we show respect and communicate

with others. Knowledge is powerful.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

1. What is the highest form of political power in British

Virgin Islands?

2. Which religion is most popular in British Virgin Islands?

Why do you think this is?

3. What aspects do religion bring to BVI society?

4. How do you think changes in gender roles have

benefited BVI society?

5. Why do you think it’s not appropriate to wear swim

wear on downtown streets of BVI?

REFERENCES

British Virgin Islands. (n.d). 0001 [Gale Virtual Reference Library]

Walter, L. (2003). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Women’s Issues Worldwide: North

America and the Caribbean. Connecticut, US: Greenwood Press

http://www.missuniverse.com/members/profile/599504/year:2011

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/bvi_festival_tortola.html

http://www.seasprayinnverobeach.com/Concierge-Services.html

Clothing and Attire in the Virgin Islands. The Segmental Info System. Retrieved

February 20, 2012 from http://virginislandsguide.info/travel.basics/clothing.and.attire/

Moving Center- FAQ. Virgin Island Moving Center. Retrieved February 23, 2012 from

http://www.vimovingcenter.com/faq/

Ockerstrom, Lolly. "Virgin Islander Americans." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural

America. 2000. Retrieved February 21, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com:

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3405800163.html

http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_33_1.asphttp://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/British-Virgin-Islands.html#ixzz1mxXuXmb

8 http://www.moon.com/destinations/virgin-islands/background/people-and-cultur

e/religionhttp://virginislands-guide.info/past.and.present/culture/http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=USVICIA Factbook, 2012, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/vi.html (February 25, 2012).InfoPlease, http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108109.html (February 25, 2012).Pickering, Vernon, The Old and the Unexplored: A Fresh Look at B.V.I. History; Island Sun, 2012, http://www.islandsun.com/abshorthi.html (February, 25, 2012).West Indies Online: http://www.wiol.com/bvi/history.php (February 25, 2012).

REFERENCES

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/road_town_tortola.htmlhttp://www.islandflave.com/caribbean-politics/617-british-virgin-islands-polit

icshttp://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/vg.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Virgin_Islands#Politics

http://www.b-v-i.com/Culture/overview.htm

http://www.bvimusic.com/2010/11/bvi-fungi-fest-this-saturday/

http://www.bvimusic.com/2011/07/the-best-of-the-bvi/

http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/British-Virgin-Islands.html#ixzz1nS2Qk

6RL

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/destination-hunter/bvi-music-perfor

ming-arts.html#ixzz1nPuSaIwS

REFERENCES