Historical Context
The tri-island nation of Grenada is comprised of mainland Grenada as well as sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique, which are dependencies. Lying at the southern end of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, it is one of the smallest countries in the world at a mere 133 square miles, with a population of 109,080 people of which some 94% are of African lineage (2012 census). Grenada has a tumultuous history of upheaval and disruption in which musicking has been central in various ways. After the complete genocide of the Kalinago, Grenada’s indigenous peoples, by French colonizers, black Grenadians were first brought to the island in the mid-1600s from Africa as enslaved persons. In its brief recorded history, Grenada has seen rebellions, revolutions, and insurgencies as well as much conflict between its leaders and its people. |
In 1763, the island was officially ceded to the British by France, and they remained under British rule until Eric Matthew Gairy led Grenada to Independence in 1974. Gairy ruled until 1979, when Maurice Bishop and the Marxist–Leninist New Jewel Movement, disenchanted with Gairy’s leadership, staged a revolution and deposed Gairy as prime minister. The newly formed People’s Revolutionary Government remained in power for four years, until there developed an ideological schism in the government, and some members led a military coup that resulted in the execution of Prime Minister Bishop and several others in 1983. The United States and other Caribbean forces invaded Grenada 6 days later under the premise of protecting American citizens and restoring order on the island.
Grenada now operates under a bicameral parliamentary system. Education in Grenada consists of kindergarten, pre-primary, primary, and secondary education. Grenada is home to a college (T.A. Marryshow Community College), an American medical school (St. George's University), and a campus for the University of the West Indies. The island's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and the medical school. It is also an important producer of several different spices globally, including nutmeg (featured the national flag) and mace.
In 2004, after being hurricane-free for 49 years, Grenada was hit by Hurricane Ivan, which damaged or destroyed 90% of the homes on the island. This was augmented by Hurricane Emily in 2005, causing major damage to agricultural industry. By 2009, the island was completely rebuilt, including all health care facilities and schools.
The national dish of Grenada is "oil down", a one-pot stew with salted meat, dumplings, breadfruit, green fig, sweet potato, dasheen, callaloo, and other vegetables in fresh coconut milk, herbs and spices. Other traditional foods include saltfish and bakes, callaloo soup, cou cou, roti, lambie (conch), macaroni pie, and soft-shell crab.
Sections extracted from other publications by the author.
Grenada now operates under a bicameral parliamentary system. Education in Grenada consists of kindergarten, pre-primary, primary, and secondary education. Grenada is home to a college (T.A. Marryshow Community College), an American medical school (St. George's University), and a campus for the University of the West Indies. The island's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and the medical school. It is also an important producer of several different spices globally, including nutmeg (featured the national flag) and mace.
In 2004, after being hurricane-free for 49 years, Grenada was hit by Hurricane Ivan, which damaged or destroyed 90% of the homes on the island. This was augmented by Hurricane Emily in 2005, causing major damage to agricultural industry. By 2009, the island was completely rebuilt, including all health care facilities and schools.
The national dish of Grenada is "oil down", a one-pot stew with salted meat, dumplings, breadfruit, green fig, sweet potato, dasheen, callaloo, and other vegetables in fresh coconut milk, herbs and spices. Other traditional foods include saltfish and bakes, callaloo soup, cou cou, roti, lambie (conch), macaroni pie, and soft-shell crab.
Sections extracted from other publications by the author.