Across the Caribbean, Black communities are strengthening ties to their African heritage through food, culture, and other forms of cultural expression. This reconnection has grown in recent years, with one Nigerian resident of St. Lucia noting its impact firsthand.
Augustine Ogbo, a doctor serving communities across St. Lucia, also operates Africana Chops, a Nigerian food restaurant. His menu features traditional dishes such as egusi soup and jollof rice, attracting customers from across the island. Ogbo believes his restaurant succeeds because it bridges cultural differences and highlights shared ancestral origins.
“They know that we all have the same ancestral origin. So most of the time, they want to get in touch with that,” Ogbo told BBC News.
The historical connection between Africa and the Caribbean originates largely from the Atlantic slave trade, yet centuries of separation and systemic racism have not erased ties between the regions. While Caribbean communities developed distinct cultural identities over time, ancestral links to Africa remain central.
Black and African pride has expanded globally, often tied to liberation movements and civil rights efforts. Recent years have seen this connection strengthened through digital platforms. Social media, particularly TikTok, has exposed Caribbean communities to African music, dance, and lifestyle, helping reshape perceptions.
“Through the music videos, [Jamaicans] are seeing that certain parts of Africa are similar to Jamaica and are developed. We had a concept of Africa as this place where it is backward and it’s pure dirt road… the music is changing that,” said Dennis Howard, an entertainment and cultural enterprise lecturer at the University of the West Indies.
Travel between the Caribbean and West African nations, particularly during “Detty December” celebrations, has increased cultural exchange and tourism. Trade discussions, including plans for a single digital currency, aim to create a more connected economic network across African and Caribbean nations.
These efforts, alongside breaking down stereotypes, aim to strengthen cultural unity and provide economic opportunities, fostering a sense of community within the African diaspora.
