Ferguson_MUSI322

This blog will explore the ideas and relevant media surrounding creolization in Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries. Before we begin this exploration together, did you know that there were Dutch speaking countries in the Caribbean?  I surely didn't! This will be fun! Let's get started, shall we? Say It Louder!: Talk The Talk ABC Islands Within Tour de Force , the authors made mention of the language native to the ABC Islands. Well, it depends on which of the three you visit. The language is called Papiamentu (for Bonaire and  Curacao) or Papiamento (for Aruba). According to the text, Dutch colonists decided not to speak Dutch to the enslaved (major difference from what we've seen thus far from other Caribbean countries), yet this creolized language was born. Birthed from encounters between Dutch settlers, Spanish missionaries, Portuguese traders, Jewish emigrants, enslaved Africans, and the indigenous remnants of the Arawak population (the Caquetios), the ABC i...

This blog will explore the ideas and relevant media surrounding creolization in French-speaking Caribbean countries. Ready Those Vibes Martinique!: Let's Talk Music Within the text, the authors of Tour de Force gave their readers an overview of the three major styles of music in Martinique. These styles are that of Bèlè, Zouk, and Beguine/Biguine. Though each of the three is derived from a creolized nature (especially due to French colonization), each style has its own flavors, substyles, and additional modern or historical influences.  Bèlè! This style is described by the authors as a form of music influenced by African culture. Personally, j'adore la musique de Bèlè parce qu'elle me donne envie de bouger! Oops, translation. I love bèlè music because it makes me want to move! The style is very rhythmic, easy to follow, and based on the music traditions of the slaves that were settled in the country many years ago.  Movement: Bèlè dance (Photo taken from http...