| The term 'high culture' seems to automatically | | | | choir" was pioneered by those who felt that the |
| suggest elitism and superiority. However, like | | | | 'high culture' of the European could be adapted to |
| many other phrases used in the English language, | | | | the indigenous form. |
| that term is used in a variety of ways. At one | | | | The steel pan - the versatile instrument of |
| extreme, it is perceived as elitist; the preferences | | | | Trinidadian origin - has emerged from being |
| and tastes of those who presume to be in the | | | | marginalised as 'riff-raff' culture. That stigma was |
| upper-stratum of society. Another aspect of it is | | | | reduced by the official identification of the steel |
| that it is the set of cultural products that define a | | | | pan as a national instrument. Today, apart from |
| culture or one that - though not necessarily | | | | the ordinary steel bands, there are now several |
| popular - is held in high esteem. | | | | 'steel orchestras'. Steel orchestras have changed |
| The Caribbean - as every other region is the New | | | | the view of the steel pan as the musical |
| World - was once under the colonial rule of | | | | instrument of the riff-raff, to an instrument for |
| European masters. The different groups that | | | | refined music connoisseur. |
| were brought to the Caribbean were then | | | | Literature and art |
| incorporated into the culture of the colonial | | | | Literature and art are not necessarily very |
| masters to a greater or lesser extent. As a result | | | | popular in the Caribbean, but are held in high |
| of this, the usage of 'high culture' in this article | | | | esteem. There is a distinct Caribbean identity in |
| refers to the Caribbean derivatives of the culture | | | | paintings and literature. Involvement in artistry has |
| of colonial rulers. As a tourist-oriented region, 'high | | | | diffused from the upper-stratum of Caribbean |
| culture' has had a very significant socio-economic | | | | society to the lower ones. In addition, production |
| impact. | | | | of art and artefacts created a body of craftsmen |
| Carnival | | | | within the region. Much of their business is |
| Carnival is an institution, particularly in the Eastern | | | | generated from souvenir sales. |
| Caribbean. The concept would seem like 'popular | | | | Caribbean literature - through exponents like V.S. |
| culture', but it was really derived from 'high culture' | | | | Naipaul, Samuel Selvon and Derek Walcott- has |
| - specifically the French 'masquerade' tradition. It is | | | | defined the Caribbean identity to the world. The |
| important to note that modern Caribbean | | | | impact of it has been primarily social. It has |
| Carnivals contain elements of both popular and | | | | allowed West Indian students to learn about |
| high culture. It is known that a number of people | | | | themselves and examine the societies in which |
| involved in Carnival - designers especially- come | | | | they live. It is very important to acknowledge |
| from the upper stratum of Caribbean society. | | | | that this sphere of Caribbean 'high culture' is |
| The origin of Carnival in the Caribbean is the | | | | dominated by the English-speaking Caribbean- |
| mimicking of the tradition of the ruling elite in the | | | | demonstrating the influence of British rule on the |
| days of slavery. Carnival - in its highest form - is | | | | Caribbean identity. |
| also considered to be representative of Caribbean | | | | The impact of 'high culture' on the Caribbean is |
| history and eclectic influences. There are Carnival | | | | generally a legacy of the colonial era. The fact |
| shows, like the 'Dimanche Gras', that are designed | | | | that the culture of the colonial masters and ruling |
| specifically to showcase the creative talents of | | | | elites have been both adopted and adapted to the |
| costume designers who are artists in their own | | | | Caribbean has made the greatest impact. Uniquely, |
| right. | | | | there is a thin line between Caribbean 'high culture' |
| Music | | | | and 'mass culture' in some instances. |
| It may seem strange, but music contains an | | | | In any event, the impact of high culture on the |
| influence of 'high culture' in the Caribbean. The | | | | Caribbean is both social and economic. It has |
| type of music that I refer to is not 'ragga music' | | | | helped shaped the Caribbean identity. The |
| or music with mass appeal. In the Caribbean- | | | | adaptation of 'high culture' in the Caribbean has |
| particularly in colonial times- the classical music of | | | | played a major role in tourism. The Caribbean is |
| the UK and parts of Europe were held in high | | | | not marketed as an idyllic getaway alone, but a |
| esteem in the Caribbean. | | | | region rich in culture and cultural expression. The |
| There are classical choirs in the Caribbean even | | | | symbiotic relationship between high culture and |
| today. What is even more important is that those | | | | mass culture in the Caribbean and its economic |
| who had been schooled in 'high culture' have been | | | | permutations, are what makes 'high culture' even |
| inspired to customise it to the myriad Caribbean | | | | more influential in the isles of the West Indies. |
| cultures. For instance, the concept of the "folk | | | | |