Editing Barbados (section)

== Culture ==

{{Main|Culture of Barbados}}
Barbados is a blend of West African, [[Portuguese culture|Portuguese]], Creole, [[Indian culture|Indian]] and [[British culture]]s. Citizens are officially called Barbadians, but are colloquially known as "Bajans" (pronounced ˈbājənz). This term evolved from "Badian" (a shortening of "Barbadian") during the 19th-century.<ref name="u035">{{cite web | last1=Dickson | first1=W. | last2=Marshall | first2=P. | last3=Marryat | first3=F. | last4=Hamilton | first4=B. | last5=Strachan | first5=H. | title=Bajan, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | website=Oxford English Dictionary | date=1 July 2023 | url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/bajan_adj?tl=true&tab=etymology | access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="n238">{{cite web | title=Definition of BAJAN | website=Merriam-Webster | date=23 October 2023 | url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bajan | access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref>

The largest [[carnival]]-like cultural event that takes place on the island is the [[Crop Over]] festival, which was established first in 1687 and reintroduced in 1974. As in many other Caribbean and Latin American countries, Crop Over is an important event for many people on the island, as well as the thousands of tourists that flock to there to participate in the annual events.<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/> The festival includes musical competitions and other traditional activities, and features the majority of the island's homegrown [[calypso music|calypso]] and [[soca music]] for the year. The male and female Barbadians who harvested the most sugarcane are crowned as the King and Queen of the crop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2camels.com/crop-over-festival.php |title=Crop Over Festival |publisher=2camels.com |access-date=30 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305104727/http://www.2camels.com/crop-over-festival.php |archive-date=5 March 2010}}</ref> Crop Over gets under way at the beginning of July and ends with the costumed parade on Kadooment Day, held on the first Monday of August. New calypso/soca music is usually released and played more frequently from the beginning of May to coincide with the start of the festival.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

=== Art ===
Barbadian art has evolved over the centuries, influenced by the island's complex history, which includes Indigenous cultures, colonial periods, and the subsequent emergence of a vibrant post-colonial identity. The interplay of African, European, and Caribbean influences has given rise to a unique artistic heritage that continues to inspire contemporary artists.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The latter part of the 20th century and into the 21st century witnessed a cultural renaissance in Barbadian art now documented by Raskal Magazine. Artists began to explore diverse mediums and techniques, blending traditional practices with contemporary expressions. This period of experimentation contributed to the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Barbadian art, reflecting the island's openness to cultural exchange and adaptation.

Barbadian artists, mindful of their place within the global art community, began to engage with international artistic trends. This global perspective led to a cross-pollination of ideas, as artists drew inspiration from diverse sources while simultaneously contributing to the broader discourse on Caribbean and diasporic art.

===Media===
{{main|Mass media in Barbados}}
* [[Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation|Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)]]

=== Cuisine ===

{{Main|Barbadian cuisine}}
[[File:Mount Gay Rum Visitors Centre, Spring Garden HWY, Barbados-002.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Gay Rum]] visitors centre]]
Bajan cuisine is a mixture of [[Cuisine of Africa|African]], [[Indian cuisine|Indian]], [[Ireland|Irish]], [[Creole peoples|Creole]] and [[British cuisine|British]] influences. A typical meal consists of a main dish of meat or fish, normally marinated with a mixture of herbs and spices, hot side dishes, and one or more salads. A common Bajan side dish could be pickled cucumber, fish cakes, bake, etc. The meal is usually served with one or more sauces.<ref name=Totally>[http://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/About_Barbados/Local_Information/Barbados_Food/ Barbados Food] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329232049/http://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/About_Barbados/Local_Information/Barbados_Food/ |date=29 March 2015 }}. ''Totally Barbados''. Retrieved 25 January 2011.</ref> The [[national dish]] of Barbados is [[cou-cou]] and [[flying fish]] with spicy gravy.<ref>[http://www.epicureantourist.com/E.T.%20Blog/B86F2DEA-8D9A-4B1D-B27B-11156E58400D.html Barbados National Dish: Coucou & Flying Fish] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616113813/http://www.epicureantourist.com/E.T.%20Blog/B86F2DEA-8D9A-4B1D-B27B-11156E58400D.html |date=16 June 2011 }}. Epicurian Tourist. 25 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.</ref> Another traditional meal is pudding and souse, a dish of pickled [[pork]] with spiced sweet potatoes.<ref>[http://www.barbados.org/barbados-recipes-pudding-souse.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530041329/http://www.barbados.org/barbados-recipes-pudding-souse.htm|date=30 May 2017}}.www.barbados.org. Retrieved 28 May 2015.</ref> A wide variety of seafood and meats are also available.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

The [[Mount Gay Rum]] visitor's centre in Barbados claims to be the world's oldest remaining rum company, with the earliest confirmed deed from 1703. [[Cockspur Rum]] and [[Malibu (rum)|Malibu]] are also from the island. Barbados is home to the [[Banks Barbados Brewery]], which brews Banks Beer, a [[pale lager]], as well as Banks [[Amber Ale]].<ref>[http://www.banksbeer.com/thebeer.html "Banks Beer: The Beer"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707211137/http://www.banksbeer.com/thebeer.html |date=7 July 2011 }}. BanksBeer.com. Retrieved 9 March 2011.</ref> Banks also brews Tiger Malt, a non-alcoholic [[malta|malted beverage]]. 10 Saints beer is brewed in [[Speightstown]], St. Peter in Barbados and aged for 90 days in Mount Gay 'Special Reserve' Rum casks. It was first brewed in 2009 and is available in certain Caricom nations.<ref>[http://www.10saints.com/ "10 Saints beer"]. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516093824/http://10saints.com/ |date=16 May 2017 }}. Banks Beer. Retrieved 9 March 2011.</ref>

=== Music ===

{{Further|Music of Barbados}}
[[File:Rihanna-brisbane.jpg|thumb|upright|International [[Celebrity|pop star]] [[Rihanna]], a native of Barbados, is a [[Grammy Awards|nine-time Grammy Award winner]] and one of the [[List of best-selling music artists|best-selling music artists]] of all time, selling over 200&nbsp;million records worldwide.]]

{{Excerpt|Music of Barbados|hat=no|file=none|template=none|references=yes}}

In 2021, [[Rihanna]] was appointed as a National Hero of the country by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, during its presidential inauguration, which served to mark the country becoming a republic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/30/entertainment/rihanna-national-hero-barbados/index.html |title=Rihanna honored as ‘national hero’ of Barbados |work=CNN |last=Respers France |first=Lisa |date=30 November 2021 |access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://pmo.gov.bb/2018/10/24/about-the-prime-minister/ |title=The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP |publisher=Official Website of the Prime Minister of Barbados |access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref>