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| | Need to Know | Capital City Bridgetown | | Tipping 10% | | Electricity 120 V | | Weights and Measurements Metric |
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People & Language
Though there are no noticeable sparks in the societal mood, the general environment cannot perhaps be termed as congenial. Undertones of income disparities and racial discrimination sour the social atmosphere. With a history of racial discrimination against the African community, there is a growing sense of pride for its Afro-Caribbean heritage in the contemporary Barbadian. An example of this is the music of the renowned Barbadian Calypso artist, Mighty Gabby, whose themes mainly revolve around the question of racial discrimination.
English is the official language on the Island.
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Religion
Majority of the population are Protestants out of which dominant strains are Anglicans, Pentecostal and Methodist. About 4% of the population is Roman Catholic.
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Food
Barbados food is quite unique in its taste nothing like any other Caribbean food. Though you may be familiar with many of the ingredients used in the local Bajan food, the herbs and spices create a distinct Bajan flavour.
Flying fish and cou cou are the traditional local dishes that are served on Fridays. Flying fish is stewed and rolled down in aromatic sauce made of herbs, tomatoes, garlic, onions and butter.
Fish cakes are another popular Bajan dish made with salted cod, flour, herbs and pepper.
A wide variety of fish is available and the fish are seasoned with thyme, marjoram, spring onions, onions, parsley, basil, clove, black pepper, paprika and salt, coated with egg, dusted in fine breadcrumbs and then fries in hot oil.
There are a number of Bajan desserts to finish your meal with such as coconut bread, guava cheese, tamarind balls, peanut brittle, chocolate fudge and many more for the sweet lovers.
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Culture & Crafts
As Barbados was almost never involved in any of the colonial wars, there’s practically little or no influence of other cultures such as Spanish (except its name), Dutch or French though there are obvious touches of the ‘stiff upper lip’. Every day life in Barbados displays traces of North American culture.
In general, music is an essential element of Barbados culture. Folk music involves traditional African drumming, a bequest of the African slaves who were imported to work at the sugar plantations. The music heritage is also influenced by Trinidadian Calypso music and more recently by reggae from the ghettos of Jamaica. The latter’s influence triggered off the birth of two new music forms – Spouge and Soca. Today, music is an important aspect of any celebration. At most restaurants, menus include food accompanied by music.
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Travel Tools
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