Anthropology Terms Abroad

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Anthropology Field Research Term in Barbados

In winter terms in even years (e.g., 1998, 2000, 2002), the department offers an anthropology erm abroad in Barbados. Barbados is a small island in the eastern Caribbean. Although 95% of the population is of African descent, the language spoken is English. (Barbados was an English colony from 1727 until independence in 1966). Students on the anthropology program spend the first week together at McGill University's research station where they carry yout a series of orientation assignments; then they move into villages where they live with local families and do full-time field research in the same fashion as professional anthropologists. At mid-term, students travel as a group to another island in the Caribbean. A working vacation, the trip is designed not only to give students a break from field work, but to expose them to another Caribbean island with a different ecology, history and level of development from Barbados and to allow them to make comparisons between the two cultures.

After the first week, classroom instruction is limited to a weekly meeting which consists of a seminar and a field trip or guest lecture. On Sundays there are organized hikes. Apart from these days, students are doing full-time research in and near their villages. Normally there are many applicants for the Barbados term abroad, but all qualified anthropology majors are guaranteed acceptance. Barbados is an ideal situation for seniors to do their senior thesis research and writing.

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Facts About Barbados

Description of Barbados | Data from the World Almanac | Map

What Is Barbados?

Area: 166 sq. mi.
Population: 256,395
Capital: Bridgetown
Religions: Protestant
$ Per Capita: $US6,530

Barbados is an independent country, formerly a British colony, and the most easterly island of the West Indies. Its capital and only port of entry is Bridgetown.

The island is underlain with folded sedimentary deposits, and a surface layer of coral attains 90 m (300 ft) in thickness. In the northeastern parts, erosion has exposed rugged ridges and ravines. The climate is warm and pleasant. The average annual temperature is about 27 deg C (80 deg F), and little daily or annual variation occurs. A dry season (from December to May) alternates with a wet season. The average annual rainfall is about 1,500 mm (60 in).

Barbados is one of the world's most densely populated countries. Nearly 90% of the island's population, most of which is rural, is black.

The production of sugarcane and its by-products, molasses and rum, long a mainstay of the Barbadian economy, has been replaced by tourism as the chief industry. The development of light industry and the diversification of agriculture have been encouraged by the government.

Barbados was settled by English colonists in 1627. To work the sugarcane plantations, slaves were brought from Africa, a practice that continued until slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834. Dominance by a small group of British landowners continued, and a political rights movement began, resulting in the founding of the Barbados Labour party (BLP) in 1938 and an offshoot, the Democratic Labour party (DLP), in 1955. Barbados became independent on Nov. 30, 1966. Errol Barrow of the DLP, the first premier, was succeeded by Tom Adams of the BLP, who held office from 1976 until his death in 1985. The DLP returned to power under Barrow (1986-87) and Lloyd Erskine Sandiford (1987-94). Owen Arthur of the BLP became premier after elections in 1994.

Thomas D. Boswell ©1994, Grolier Electronic Publishing

© The Hutchison Library/Tony Hardwell

Domino players at a
sidewalk cafe in Speightstown

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Barbados Data from
World Almanac and Book of Facts

Population

• Age distrib. (%): <15: 24; 65+: 12.
• Pop. density: 1,545 per sq. mi. , Urban: 38%.
• Ethnic groups: African 80%, mixed 16%, European 4%.
• Principal language: English.
• Religions: Protestant 67%, Roman Catholic 4%.

Geography:

• Area: 166 sq. mi.
• Location: In Atlantic, farthest E of W Indies.
• Neighbors: Nearest are St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the W.
• Topography: The island lies alone in the Atlantic almost completely surrounded by coral reefs. Highest point is Mt. Hillaby, 1,115 ft.

Government:

• Type: Parliamentary democracy.
• Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Gov.-Gen. Dame Nita Barrow; b Nov. 15, 1916; in office: June 6, 1990.
• Head of government: Prime Min. Owen Arthur; b 1950; in office: Sept. 7, 1994.
• Local divisions: 11 parishes and Bridgetown.
• Defense: 0.7% of GDP (1989).

Economy:

• Industries: Sugar, tourism.
• Chief crops: Sugar, cotton.
• Minerals: Oil, gas.
• Other resources: Fish.
• Arable land: 77%.
• Electricity prod. (1992): 540 mln. kWh.
• Labor force: 8% agric.; 22% commerce; 37% serv. & govt.; 22% manuf. & constr.

Finance:

• Monetary unit: Dollar (May 1995: 2.01 = $1 US).
• Gross domestic product (1993): $2.2 bln.* Per capita GDP: $8,700.
• Imports (1992): $465 mln.; partners: U.S. 33%, UK 11%, Trin. & Tob. 11%.
• Exports (1992): $158 mln.; partners: U.S. 13%, UK 13%, Trin. & Tob. 9%.
• Tourism (1992): $463 mln.
• National budget (FY 1992-93): $620 mln.
• International reserves less gold (Apr. 1995): $229 mln.
• Consumer prices (change in 1994): 0.1%.

Transport:

• Motor vehicles: in use: 39,000 passenger cars; 9,000 comm. vehicles.
• Chief port: Bridgetown.

Communications:

• Television sets: 1 per 3.7 persons.
• Radios: 1 per 1.3 persons.
• Telephones: 1 per 2.4 persons.
• Daily newspaper circ.: 158 per 1,000 pop.

Health:

• Life expectancy at birth (1995): 71 male; 77 female.
• Births (per 1,000 pop.): 15. Deaths (per 1,000 pop.): 8.
• Natural increase: 0.7%.
• Hospital beds: 1 per 121 persons.
• Physicians: 1 per 1,042 persons.
• Infant mortality (per 1,000 live births 1995): 19.

Education:

• Literacy (1992): 99%.
• Years compulsory: to age 16.
• Major International Organizations: UN (FAO, WTO, ILO, IMF, WHO), OAS, the Commonwealth.
• Embassy: 2144 Wyoming Ave. NW 20008; 939-9200.

Barbados was probably named by Portuguese sailors in reference to bearded fig trees. An English ship visited in 1605, and British settlers arrived on the uninhabited island in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations until slavery was abolished in 1834. Self-rule came gradually, with full independence proclaimed Nov. 30, 1966. British traditions have remained.

©1995 World Almanac and Book of Facts

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