Cultural Integration plays an important role in the development of a more unified Caribbean society, where individual cultures are celebrated but come together to create a more impactful kaleidoscope.

For several decades, integration has been a highly sought after yet elusive tenet for the Caribbean region. And, candidly speaking, I understand the hindrances that are presented because of the varying levels of development of individual nations. However, I’ve been in Trinidad for a short time and already I feel myself gaining a greater understanding and appreciation for integration efforts. This is so because I am part of a regional university that encompasses a plethora of cultures from across the region which I can immerse myself in, and actually see the connections between our shared Caribbean history.

In more ways than I believe we recognise, Caribbean countries have experiences that almost mirror one another- owed to similar experiences we have had. Two weeks ago, the Grenadian Students’ Association here in Trinidad organised a week of learning activities in commemoration of the 1979 Grenadian Revolution. And as part of this, there was a quiz competition and a lecture organised. Through both of these, it was highlighted that both Grenada and Guyana dabbled in socialism before this was shut down by the ‘first world’ nations. The attempts at socialism were also had in Trinidad and Jamaica, albeit to a lesser extent, according to Ronan Burtenshaw, in the Jacobin magazine.

Aside from these shared experiences, which contributed to the development of a shared culture of some sort, we also have our own individualised tidbits which open up avenues for cultural integration.

For context’s sake, cultural integration is a form of cultural exchange that involves appreciating, assuming and/or adopting those beliefs, practises or tenets of another group- without sacrificing your own cultural. In theory, it is a smooth process of learning and appreciating.

This year’s Diwali festivities with the Guyanese Students’ Association in Trinidad and Tobago (GuySATT), for me, reaffirmed that the thrust for integration in some shape or form does exist in our Caribbean and longs to be nurtured.

On Diwali night on my campus, Guyanese students were able to spin steel wool- a unique Guyanese festivity at Diwali- for the very first time (by the books, at least). I, for one, was elated that something unique to my country could have been brought to a space where other Caribbean brothers and sisters would enjoy it. And not only enjoy looking at it but get to engage in it as well.

Later, a Guyanese friend here posited that this event was much more than just a showcase of our culture- it was also an expression of our culture. Being able to do something just as we would have done it back home (well, exercising a bit more caution, being on campus and all) was a liberating experience. Liberating because we aren’t confined by the lack of access to avenues of doing things as we are accustomed to at home, and liberating to know that you can freely express your culture and have such a warm and welcoming reception for it.

This culture sharing between GuySATT and the other regional students is microcosmic of what could be a really very beautiful reality if we are to transcend our parochial outlook. It becomes important to recognise that the Caribbean has had a history of grappling with cultural superiority, due to the ethnocentrism that prevailed during the region’s formative years. It is this eurocentrism, I believe, has contributed to us becoming insular in some ways.

A simple yet relevant example of this, for me, is the very, very pointless and very annoying ‘debate’ of Chicken Curry vs Curry Chicken, as some struggle for superiority between Guyana and Trinidad. I’ve made this point before, and I’ve been told that I am making a mountain out of a molehill, but as a Guyanese residing in Trinidad, I can tell you that I have been asked this an unnecessary amount of times when persons learn my nationality. Why do we (Guyanese and Trinidadians alike) entertain this conversation?

It is because we have this history of ethnocentrism that I believe we ought to stand firm in efforts of promoting the integration of our culture. And it is because I recognise that I am very fortunate to have this experience of cultural immersion, that I believe that I have a duty to speak about this. There is much to be gained from learning from one another and integrating cultures in the Caribbean.