article

Land, politics, and ethnicity in a Carib Indian community

Ethnology14 (4) • Published In 1975 • Pages: 385-393

By: Owen, Nancy H..

Abstract
This is a brief history of the relationship between territory and ethnicity. Owen argues that the recent emergence of a strong ethnic identity among the Carib is related to their fear of losing control of commonly-owned reserve land. The Carib stress their unique identity in order to protect their unique status and property rights. Carib ethnicity is based partly on phenotype—by no means universally shared—and the institution of the chief, whose role has been to protect the reserve from all forms of outsider encroachment. The Carib also maintain a strict rule that only children of Carib men have the right to use reserve land.
Subjects
Cultural identity and pride
Real property
Inheritance
Household
Community heads
Community councils
External relations
Public welfare
culture
Island Carib
HRAF PubDate
2005
Region
Middle America and the Caribbean
Sub Region
Caribbean
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard; 2003
Field Date
1970-1972
Coverage Date
1783-1971
Coverage Place
Dominica
Notes
Nancy H. Owen
Includes bibliographical references (p. 392-393)
LCCN
64005713
LCSH
Black Carib Indians