Introduction into the Creolization theory

Origin of Creolization theory

What is Creolization?

Kamau Brathwaite stated that it was through this process that

the Africans undergo the most change because their culture
were inferior to the culture of the Europeans. At the time of the
“seasoning” process would be a perfect example, because the
new Africans were immediately taught the European cultural
traits by those who surrounded them.

 The origin of creolization in the Caribbean region lies arguably within the
processes of colonization, slavery and migration which created the foundation
of the New World.
 As a result of the slave trade, Africans of diverse cultural backgrounds came
into contact with people from Europe, China, South Asia and the Middle East.
Consequently, the Caribbean became a melting pot of cultures thus, the
process of creolization came into effect.

CREOLIZATION

THE CREOLE SOCIETY THEORY

 The theory focuses on the Euro- African relationship and largely ignores the
other groups such as the East Indians and the Chinese.
 The theory does not explore the other macro/structural factors that helped
shape Caribbean society.

Introduction into the Creolization theory

 Creolization is reinforced by the ideology of white dominance and black

subservience.
 Acculturation is determined by Eurocentric superiority in the society.
Dominant colonial powers dictated the official cultures (language, religion,
dress).
 Creolization presents a threat the Caribbean groups who are trying to preserve
their culture and heritage by excluding others.

 The Creolization theory was introduced by Edward Kamau Brathwaite.

 The theory focuses on culture and Caribbean identity.
  Through interactions, different groups learn to adapt and even imitate the
various cultures that they are exposed to.
 These adaptions and imitations can be referred to as Acculturation and
Interculturation.

 Acculturation is when contact between various cultural groups lead to the

practices of new cultural patterns, while interculturation is the mutual,
symbiotic exchange of cultural traits (Chinipoo 2014, p98)

How the Creole Society Theory is applied to the Caribbean.

 As a result of colonization, there was a mixture among people of Indigenous

American, West African and European descent, which came to be understood
as Creolization.
 The mixing of people brought a cultural mixing which ultimately led to the
formation of new identities, thus Creolization can be described as the process
in which Creole cultures emerge in the New World.

Weaknesses in the theory

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