New wave of African pride rises in the Caribbean

A new wave of African pride is rising in the Caribbean, as people reconnect with their roots and celebrate their heritage. Many Caribbean islands, such as St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, have large populations descended from Africans who were brought to the region as slaves centuries ago. Today, these communities are expressing their African pride in many ways, from food and fashion to music and travel.

Dr Augustine Ogbu is a great example of this movement. He is a doctor in St Lucia, but he also owns a Nigerian takeaway called Africana Chops. Dr Ogbu moved from Nigeria to St Lucia in 2016 to study medicine. He started his food business because his friends kept asking for Nigerian dishes like egusi soup, fufu, and jollof rice. His takeaway has become very popular, not just because the food is delicious, but because it helps people feel connected to their African heritage. Dr Ogbu says that interest in African culture has grown a lot since he arrived, and people want to learn more about their roots.

This renewed interest in African heritage is happening all over the Caribbean. People are wearing African-inspired clothing, eating African food, and listening to African music, especially Afrobeats from Nigeria and Ghana. Social media platforms like TikTok are helping people learn more about Africa and see how it is similar to their own islands. Some people are even traveling to Africa to explore the continent firsthand. Caribbean leaders are working to make it easier for people to travel and trade with Africa, by building better transportation links and even considering a shared digital currency. Dr Ogbu is proud to be part of this movement and hopes his restaurant will help strengthen the connection between Africa and the Caribbean.