12 Questions
What is the meaning of the Twi word 'fugyee'?
soft, mealy or boiled yam
Which of the following instruments was NOT part of the fungi music ensemble?
Piano
What is the origin of the guitar according to the text?
African instrument introduced to Europe
What is the name of the bucket-like percussion instrument used in fungi music?
Ghut bucket
Which of the following instruments is said to be of European origin?
Fife
What is the name of the cultural creation that originated on Virgin Islands' soil?
Fungi music
What was the primary factor that contributed to the growth of African foods in the Virgin Islands?
The tropical climate and topography of the Virgin Islands
Which of the following European crops was suitable for growth in the Virgin Islands' tropical climate?
Onions
What was the primary role of African women on the plantations in terms of food preparation?
They cooked what and how they knew, using African crops
What was the name given to the provision grounds where African yams were commonly cultivated?
Yam grounds
What was the result of the blending of African and European cultural practices in the Virgin Islands?
The creation of a unique Virgin Islands heritage
What is evident in the Virgin Islands' culture and art forms today?
The influence of African culture mixed with European practices
Study Notes
Virgin Islands Culture
- Enslaved Africans and Creoles managed to preserve African culture mixed with European practices, creating a Virgin Islands heritage.
- The tropical climate and topography of the Virgin Islands are similar to those of the African continent, allowing African foods to grow well in the territory.
Food
- African food crops that were incorporated into the Creoles' diet include: okra, spinach, pumpkin, yam, pigeon peas, and cucumber.
- European foods such as wheat, barley, rye, and oats were not suitable for the tropical climate.
- Ingredients from Europe that made it into the Virgin Islands' cooking include: onions, leeks, carrots, cabbages, asparagus, and artichokes.
- African women, who cooked on the plantations, used African crops and cooking methods, leading to the predominance of African cuisine.
- The cultivation of African yams was common on the provision grounds, also known as 'yam grounds'.
National Dish
- The Virgin Islands' national dish is 'fungi and fish'.
- Fungi has been linked to various African words, including Twi's 'fugyee', meaning 'soft, mealy or boiled yam', and Yoruba's 'funje', meaning 'given to eat'.
Fungi Music
- Fungi music originated on Virgin Islands' soil, blending African and European musical cultural traditions.
- The components of fungi music include: string and wind instruments, percussion, and vocals.
- String instruments used in fungi music include: ukulele, banjo, and box guitar, which were sometimes made from sardine cans.
- The guitar has been described as an originally African instrument introduced to Europe.
- Percussion instruments include: washtub or 'ghut bucket', steel triangle, squash, 'ass-pipe', and maracas, which were influenced by African percussion and drumming styles.
- African instrumentation consists of a variety of drums, often played in ensembles, and other percussion instruments such as rattles, scrapers, sticks, bells, or bell-like metallic objects.
- Wind instruments used in fungi music include: fife, pipe, or flute, which are European instruments.
Explore the rich cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands, shaped by the blend of African and European influences. Discover how the enslaved Africans and Creoles managed to preserve their cultural traditions, resulting in a unique Virgin Islands identity. This quiz delves into the role of food, music, and tropical climate in shaping the Islands' culture.
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