It was also a resource for supplies such as crops and timber.
With 96% of the population being descendants of African slaves, the
language, music, and art have strong ties to their African heritage.
The British influence can be seen all over the islands. It can be seen in architecture and design of historical buildings and cobblestone roads. Although the modern dialect is a diverse one, the prominent language there is English. There are several religions among the residents, but the majority of the population is Christian.
Artists abound on the islands, from painters to sculptors, pottery designers to basket weavers, musicians to dancers. Art is important to the people and is evidenced in the number of museums, art galleries and cultural centers located there. The cultural centers offer classes in art, dancing and music. You can attend musical events, art exhibitions or see a play.
There are several museums on the islands. One museum has a display of carved jade pieces. Jade was mainly used to carve symbolic figures. The local jade was the only source for the early artisans.
Another natural resource available to the artists is clay. Clay is collected from local pits and used to hand craft pottery. The local clay is also used for sculpting. The art of Indians who populated the area before the British settled there has been incorporated into pottery, sculptures and other works of art.
The music of the islands is one place where you can find a strong African influence. Calypso is a lively type of music the slaves brought from their native home. It has an upbeat and happy rhythm though the words are usually satirical. Slaves working in the fields could not talk to each other. The plantation owners did not understand the native language of slaves, so they sang as they worked and communicated with music.
Drums were an important part of the slaves native music.. Since there was no bamboo available to make the types of drums played in their native land, they invented the steel drums that are featured in Calypso bands today. In 1834 the British government abolished slavery in the islands. Every year since, there is a huge celebration featuring a carnival and Calypso music.
As in most places, the art and culture in Antigua and Barbuda is closely tied to the ancestors of the people. The cultures that populated the area before them hold a place in the history of their land. The people celebrate their diverse culture, and keep it alive in museums, culture centers and art. As with most cultures, their history and ancestors define who they are today.
The British influence can be seen all over the islands. It can be seen in architecture and design of historical buildings and cobblestone roads. Although the modern dialect is a diverse one, the prominent language there is English. There are several religions among the residents, but the majority of the population is Christian.
Artists abound on the islands, from painters to sculptors, pottery designers to basket weavers, musicians to dancers. Art is important to the people and is evidenced in the number of museums, art galleries and cultural centers located there. The cultural centers offer classes in art, dancing and music. You can attend musical events, art exhibitions or see a play.
There are several museums on the islands. One museum has a display of carved jade pieces. Jade was mainly used to carve symbolic figures. The local jade was the only source for the early artisans.
Another natural resource available to the artists is clay. Clay is collected from local pits and used to hand craft pottery. The local clay is also used for sculpting. The art of Indians who populated the area before the British settled there has been incorporated into pottery, sculptures and other works of art.
The music of the islands is one place where you can find a strong African influence. Calypso is a lively type of music the slaves brought from their native home. It has an upbeat and happy rhythm though the words are usually satirical. Slaves working in the fields could not talk to each other. The plantation owners did not understand the native language of slaves, so they sang as they worked and communicated with music.
Drums were an important part of the slaves native music.. Since there was no bamboo available to make the types of drums played in their native land, they invented the steel drums that are featured in Calypso bands today. In 1834 the British government abolished slavery in the islands. Every year since, there is a huge celebration featuring a carnival and Calypso music.
As in most places, the art and culture in Antigua and Barbuda is closely tied to the ancestors of the people. The cultures that populated the area before them hold a place in the history of their land. The people celebrate their diverse culture, and keep it alive in museums, culture centers and art. As with most cultures, their history and ancestors define who they are today.
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