The Culture of the U. S. Virgin Islands

European and African cultures have inspired the culture of the U. S. Virgin Islands. Art, language, food, and geographic names reflect the African and European ancestors who have shaped the U. S. Virgin Islands.

Residents of the U. S. Virgin Islands are of African descent, or transplanted from North America, Europe, Central America, or even other Caribbean countries. They are drawn to the tourism and service industries there, but there are a number of reasons to relocate here. The charm and appeal of these amazing tropical islands are hard to resist. And, as I've said in my first blog, it's all about the water.

When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, you will see many of the same fast-food restaurants as home, along with local restaurants serving authentic island foods like pates and boiled fish or meals prepared with West Indian spices and made with tropical fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats and seafood.

People in the U. S. Virgin Islands are very religious, mostly Catholic or Baptist. Others include Methodist, Jewish, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Anglican, and Moravian. On St. Croix, some Muslims, too.

Some residents even practice ancient African beliefs, such as animism. Adults on the island will often tell children stories of jumbies and duppies. Magic is supposed to encourage the spirits and ancestors to do good deeds. These supernatural practices are often combined with mainstream religion.

In late March, the U. S. Virgin Islands have Carnival, with is similar to those of Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, and Venice. Then, as well as now, you can hear reggae, calypso, soca, and quelbe. Quelbe is the folk music of the U.S. Virgin Islands with hints of American and African influences. The celebrations include jigs, military pipe and drum music, quadrille dances from Victorian arrivals, and the slave call and response favourites. Instruments include bamboo flutes, steel triangles, guitars, banjos, ukuleles, ribbed squash gourds, tambourines, bass drums, and saxophones.

Fungi is played by a traditional scratch band of guitars, bass instruments, African drums, bamboo flutes, scratch instruments, and washboards. You can find Fungi bands playing at carnivals and competitions.

The Reichhold Center for the Performing Arts on St. Thomas often holds quelbe and other musical festivals, as do many other venues. Many hotel and bar bands also feature steel drum and reggae performances. You can find out where and when your favourite live music style is played in the local tourist materials found just about everywhere. I greatly prefer the steel drums. It really doesn't get any more Caribbean than that!

The University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas prints The Caribbean Writer, showcasing themes and the new Caribbean writing talents.

To best experience the culture of the U. S. Virgin Islands in person, go to http://kingarthur.traverustravel.com/index.asp