Events include parades along the streets of North Vancouver. Photo courtesy of Trinidad and Tobaga Cultural Society of B.C.

A Caribbean flair will be in the air at the end of July. The Caribbean festival will run on July 28 and 29, and it serves as a good opportunity to take a closer look at what British Columbia’s Caribbean community is like.

Historically, Vancouver does not have a rich history of black immigration. Vancouver has a significantly smaller population than Toronto, yet Vancouver still has its own Caribbean Festival and it is a good way to promote a culture that some might not know about.

The Caribbean is the formation of many island nations. It consists of nations like Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and many more.

Catch flamboyent dancers at this year's Caribbean Days festival. Photo courtesy of Trinidad and Tobaga Cultural Society of B.C.

Usually, the word Caribbean makes people day-dream, and it is synonymous to tropical weather, rhythm, tasty food, gorgeous colours, and music.
Ted Nkondi, an 18 year old student, worked as a volunteer for the festival last year. He says his experience is one that he would like to be repeated this year.

“It was a great opportunity to learn about the Caribbean culture,” says Nkondi.

He choose to work with the Jamaicans because it is similar to his own culture, Congo Brazzaville.
He heard about the festival through word of mouth. A South African friend of his planned to go, but didn’t want to go on his own, so Nkondi accompanied his friend. And he says that his experience was not at all disappointing. Nkondi says that there was a strong sense of hospitality and an open minded attitude towards newcomers.

“They [Jamaicans] are very outgoing compared to other cultures…I ate a bunch of stuff. In the Jamaican tent they talked to people about their culture and they were trying to know about our own culture.”

Last year, jewel designer Kerland, who didn’t want to reveal her last name, participated in the festival. She shared a tent to help promote Haitian cuisine. Alongside food, she says that music is a vital part of being from the Caribbean.

“If there is no music, there is no life in all of the Caribbean,” says Kerland.

And this is where Vancouver and Toronto share a common thread, they are both heavily based and steeped in music. But for Kerland there is no need to compare, it all comes down to the cities just being two different places.

“[Vancouver] is more laidback. Toronto is a big city. There is nothing to compare.”

Fun Caribbean fact:The art of liming
Combine the words, beach and lime and you’re likely to think of a Mexican beer with a green piece of fruit hanging from its brim.

But if you set foot on any Caribbean island, the word lime takes on a completely different connotation, and it’s used as a verb, and isn’t as bitter as the fruit itself.

In fact you’re probably doing it right now. You probably did it under the sun this weekend with your girlfriend or boyfriend, or even with your dog.

It simply means to chill out. Whether it be on a boat, the streets, in a bar or on the beach, you are liming.

So, for the next couple of months as the sun graces Vancouver, take the opportunity to lime on the beach.