Culture & People of Grenada

Around 80 percent of the population is of African descent, the rest being of Asian and European origins. There are traces of indigenous people within the population. Signs of former British rule are all around the island, from red telephone boxes to the smart police officers, but the culture is a combination of influences that reflect its history. The Grenadian love of colour, music and fun comes to the fore during Carnival-time that lasts for several weeks during the summer. Like most West Indians, Grenadians are obsessed by cricket.

Grenada is the most tourist-oriented of the three islands but the industry is not as developed as in many other Caribbean islands. Many locals make a living from selling spices grown on their smallholdings.

Carriacou is a quiet island of some 6,000 inhabitants. It is well-known for boatbuilding, although agriculture and livestock are the main source of employment.

Petite Martinique is a relaxed but enthusiastically independent island, whose 600 or so inhabitants rely mainly on the sea for income, either fishing, boatbuilding or sailing on cargo ships.

Though the official language in Grenada is English, most Grenadians speak a Creole or English dialect. In "Grenada’s Non-Standard English", Grenadian writer Alister Hughes points out some of the more interesting aspects of the language, which remains a mixture of African, French, Spanish and English words.

Grenadian customs have evolved as much from its lush tropical environment as from the mixture of cultures that settled here. From our African influences come the strong traditions of dances and drumming. On the sister island of Carriacou, it is still possible to witness a Wedding Dance, where on the wedding day friends and family gather outside the houses of both the bride and the groom and with music playing dance their way to a central spot. Tradition dictates the dancing of the flags and then of the cakes before all can retire home to prepare for the official Church service.

Many local festivals are religious in origin, with modern day names reflecting the ethnic influences. The annual Carnival, originally held in February, was once thought to signal one last festivity before the austerity of the Catholic Lenten season. In the days of slavery, it became a way for the slaves to openly mock their colonial masters. A tradition which continues today in the jouvert celebrations held in the early hours of Carnival Monday.