Community Exh Exhibition Program Callaloo The Caribbean Mix in Victoria Callaloo: mixing it up Callaloo is a leafy green vegetable grown and eaten throughout the Caribbean. Callaloo is a rich, blended soup, a spicy and nourishing mix of callaloo leaves, okra, pumpkin, salt meat or crab and coconut milk, all seasoned with thyme and hot pepper. Callaloo is an idea, a word to describe the wonderfully diverse mixture of races and cultures that define Caribbean people. From the earliest days of European settlement, West Indians have been present in Australia in very small numbers. Because there are so few of us, we seek each other out and ‘mix’ socially, regardless of our cultural differences or country of origin. We also choose partners from many other ethnic groups, ‘mixing it up’ even further. Celebrate with us the richness and diversity that is the West Indian experience, the Caribbean callaloo. below Members of the Caribbean community dressed as the ‘Four Seasons’ in the Moomba Festival Parade, 1997. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. The chattel house Chattel house is one name for modest, often brightly coloured, little houses found all over the Caribbean islands. opposite, clockwise from top left A typical chattel house in the style found throughout the islands of the Caribbean. Artist and date unknown. The home of Elvira Lambert reflected some of the typical architectual features of chattel houses. Here mourners pay their respects at her home after her funeral. Kingston, Jamaica, 1931. The Smith children, who migrated to Australia in the late 1960s with their parents, are pictured standing in front of Aunt Hettie’s chattel house in Trinidad, c.1 956. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. right En route to Australia in 1975, Ingrid Jarvis revisited what was left of her family’s chattel house in Barbados, where she was born. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. In the post-slavery plantation economies, these were originally houses for tenant workers. ‘Chattel’ is a legal term meaning moveable property and these houses often were not set on permanent foundations. In the event of a dispute with the landowners, in some islands it was not uncommon for workers to simply pick up their house and move it to another location. Some of the architectural features of chattel houses are found in other houses in the Caribbean. The living rooms of West Indian migrants are often decorated with paintings, sketches or even miniature reproductions of chattel houses. They are a strong shared reminder of home, and a unifying symbol for West Indian migrants from all backgrounds. This idea of a home you take with you is reminiscent of the migration experience and of West Indians establishing lives in a new country. Who are West Indians? The Caribbean Sea is bordered by North America, South America, Central America to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It takes its name from the indigenous Caribs who inhabited this region. The name West Indies was coined by Christopher Columbus in 1492, who mistakenly thought he’d reached India. The British used it to describe their colonies on the islands and coastlines of the Caribbean. Today, the ‘West Indies’ refers to a group of mainly English-speaking dependencies, territories and independent Caribbean countries, many of which are members of the Commonwealth. Because most Caribbean migrants to Australia are West Indian, the terms ‘Caribbean’ and ‘West Indian’ are used interchangeably here. Most West Indian people have a complex ancestry including African slaves, Indian indentured workers and the region’s colonisers from Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands. Some of our heritage also comes from indigenous Amerindians, as well as European Jews and later settlers from China, Madeira, Lebanon and Syria. No wonder we believe ours were among the first multicultural societies in the world! Due to our ethnic diversity, even West Indians from the same country do not usually look alike, and migrants don’t always recognise each other. Often we only stumble across another West Indian by overhearing a familiar accent. Limin’ Relaxed and informal hospitality is an important part of West Indian culture. It is normal for visitors to drop in unannounced and be welcomed with an enthusiastic ‘Come in, man!’ Food and drink are always offered during these spontaneous visits. A feature of daily life in the Caribbean is liming (pronounced limin’ ) when a group of people get together informally and share conversation, jokes and laughter, often for hours at a time. This is also called bussin’ a lime. top to bottom Sundown drinks in Kate Lasalle’s backyard in Trinidad, 1978. The ‘whole lime’, a large gathering at Ingrid and Rodney Jarvis’ home at Yarra Junction, c.1988. Mixing it up with newfound friends and family in Upwey, Victoria, 1979. Liming in a Trinidad kitchen, Caribbean style, 1987. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. A popular pastime at any time of day or night, liming is usually accompanied by drinks (such as local rum or beer) and tasty tidbits, known as cutters. Liming takes place anywhere: at home in kitchens or on verandahs, in sports clubs, in ‘rumshops’ or just sitting around outdoors and on street corners. When Caribbean people migrate to places like Melbourne, the faster pace of life, colder climate and longer travelling distances all combine to make such informal get-togethers more difficult. West Indian migrants maintain this vital aspect of their culture in new ways by organising frequent parties, cultural picnics and events such as the annual Australia Day ‘Cricket Lime’ in Victoria. Caribbean food: historically delicious! Caribbean food is a vibrant fusion of cultural influences reflecting our rich and complex history. The indigenous Caribs and Arawaks made bread, grew corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, arrowroot, tomatoes, chillies and other crops, and ate a wide variety of fruit, shellfish, turtle and game. The Arawaks, grilling their meat over open fires using frames of thin sticks called barbacoa, gave the world the word ‘barbeque’. above A selection of popular West Indian dishes, including stew, curry and rice. opposite, clockwise from top Serving coo coo, a popular dish made with cornmeal and okra, at the West Indian Cultural Day, 2008. Pone, pineapple up-side-down cake and sweetbread. The children got the best, the adults ate the rest.’ Spicy food was a normal part of their fare. Coo coo and fish; rice and peas. A favourite soup throughout the Caribbean, callaloo cooked with spinach, crabs and spices. (See recipe overleaf). ‘Cutters’ or light snacks with doubles and souse. Photographer: David Loram. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. Sugar cane was the basis of the Caribbean economy and required intensive labour. European colonisers introduced many foods from around the world to supplement the local food sources: breadfruit, taro, ackees, okra, yams and plantains from Africa as well as salt fish and rice, to name just a few. Indentured workers from China and India brought their chow meins, curries, rotis and snack foods. West Indian cooks created many cross-cultural or ‘creolised’ dishes, which were eaten by everyone. Caribbean recipes continue to evolve in Australia as West Indian immigrants experiment with local ingredients. For example, we now substitute spinach leaves when making our ‘crab and callaloo’ dish. We are passionate about passing down our food traditions for the next generation to enjoy! this page, from top to bottom Rupert ‘Monty’ Montague, with Jim Vlassopoulos, inside the second Jamaica House restaurant, Carlton, 1971. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. Mortar and pestle. A range of practical and decorative swizzle sticks traditionally used for blending Callaloo soup and dhal, whisking eggs and other blending. Jamaica House menus and recipe book. The restaurant was the first in Australia to serve Caribbean food, opening in 1966. Photographs: David Loram Crab ‘n’ Callaloo Recipe courtesy Jacqueline Dedier 2 fresh crabs 3 boxes frozen spinach 20 okra ½ kg pumpkin, preferably Jap 1 can Thai brand coconut milk 4 cloves garlic 4 spring onions 1 brown onion 1 whole red chilli (optional) small handful fresh thyme small handful parsley salt & black pepper to taste METHOD Dasheen (taro) leaves can be substituted with frozen spinach. Remove tops of okra and slice in rounds. Chop pumpkin in small pieces. Chop all other ingredients except chilli. Place frozen spinach in deep saucepan with okra, pumpkin and chilli (optional), steam slowly. Add seasoning and coconut milk, stir. Place crab claws on top, add water to cover and simmer for 30–45 minutes until crab is cooked and looks red in colour. Lift crab out and set aside in serving bowl. Remove whole chilli pepper and set aside. above Souvenir cricket bats signed by West Indian visiting team members. Photographs: David Loram Add small amounts of hot callaloo mixture at a time into food processor or blender and puree, with a small piece of chilli pepper (optional). Add to crab in bowl and repeat until all the callaloo is pureed. Return to pot and cook slowly. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Melbourne’s daily newspapers gave extensive coverage of the thrilling conclusion to the 1961 West Indies cricket tour including commentary on the migration policy of the day. Serve over rice or eat as a soup with the crab claws. Finger bowl and side plate necessary. Courtesy: the Age and Herald Sun. Useful Tip: Never use a metal spoon in Callaloo or Hot Pepper Sauce. top to bottom above and at left Steelpan drum left behind when the Amral Cavalliers band toured Victoria in 1978. Details of Persian-themed Trinidad carnival costumes brought back by West Indian migrants. The cuatro, four-stringed mini guitar, popular in Trinidad and used to play parang music. Chac-chac, a Caribbean percussion instrument that accompanies parang music. at right Iron brake drum used as a percussion instrument in Caribbean music. Photographs: David Loram A West Indian folkloric costume used in cultural performances. Photographs: David Loram The West Indies and Australia Connections between the West Indies and Australia began in the early days of European settlement. Australia’s first newspaper publisher, and founder of the Sydney Gazette in 1803 was George Howe, a white convict from the island of St Christopher. clockwise from top right Ralph de Boissiere, of the Realist Writers Group, arrived in Australia from Trinidad with his family in 1947. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. Cocoa Jackson Lane, was named as a tribute to respected local identity, West Indian Fred James, who lived in Edward Street Brunswick from 1930 to 1979. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. Portrait of Peter Felix, taken between 1895 and 1899. Peter Felix, a West Indian migrant from St Croix who settled in Melbourne, became Australian Boxing Heavyweight Champion in the late 1890s. Courtesy National Library of Australia, Image No. NLA 3638961 Farewell dinner for visiting AfricanAmerican heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson (centre back in light suit), held by the Coloured Progressive Association, Sydney, 1907. Those pictured include West Indian boxer, Peter Felix (large man to Johnson’s left) and Aboriginal activist Fred Maynard (seated in front of waistcoated man). Source: Courtesy John Maynard. At the height of the British Empire, officers and administrators moved freely between far-flung colonies. Many came to Australia from the West Indies while others, like Edward Eyre, left Australia to take up appointments there. Black convicts, servants and sailors from the West Indies also arrived in Australia and many of them later integrated into Aboriginal communities. These relationships, and links forged through the sport of boxing, contributed to later alliances between the Black Consciousness movements in Australia, the USA and the West Indies, including a branch of Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association in Sydney in the 1920s. Caribbean people were also among the many nationalities flocking to the Victorian goldfields after 1851. One of the thirteen miners killed at the Eureka Stockade was a Jamaican. Arthur Windsor, editor of the Age newspaper from 1872 – 1900 was born in Barbados. Especially since the abandonment of the White Australia policy, West Indians have arrived from many countries of the Commonwealth. From honky-tonk pianist Winifred Atwell to environmental engineer Ken Potter and writer Ralph de Boissiere, they have brought wide-ranging skills, experience and cultural richness to Australia. Few and far away Caribbean migrants are often asked why they left their tropical homes to travel across the world and live in temperate Melbourne. The reasons why West Indians came to Victoria are as varied as the people themselves. During the many years of the White Australia Policy, it was extremely difficult for non-white West Indians to migrate to Australia. Many early migrants were middleclass ‘white-enough’ West Indians from some Caribbean countries where political unrest and economic uncertainty accompanied independence around the 1960s. Following the abolition of the White Australia Policy in 1975, West Indians of all races were gradually able to migrate more freely. top to bottom Letter received by Michael Ward, who migrated from Jamaica shortly before the abolition of the White Australia Policy. Love frequently brought West Indians to Australia. Many marriages occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, when young Australians on their ‘rite of passage’ trips to Great Britain met West Indians, with whom they shared similar attitudes to life, education, values and sense of humour. The Phillips family at home in Georgetown, Guyana, 1976, gathered to farewell eldest sister Joan Buchanan (second right) the day before she and husband George (third right) left for Australia. Michael and Adrienne Ward, at their home in Melbourne, 2009. The Thomas family from Tabago, posed for this photograph to accompany their immigration application for migration to Australia in 1962. above Tony and Schavana Phillips followed Joan Buchanan, Tony’s sister, to Australia, arriving in Perth in 1978. Rupert ‘Monty’ Montague migrated to England from Jamaica in 1943. In 1964 he married Stephanie Burchett (later Alexander), an Australian who was temporarily living in London. Monty then embarked on a ‘second migration’ to Australia where he and Stephanie opened the first West Indian restaurant in Melbourne, Jamaica House in Carlton, in 1966. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. Gordon Veerasawmy received a warm welcome from his family upon arriving at Melbourne Airport in 1996. The Caribbean community has grown in recent years as younger and second-generation immigrants born in Britain, the USA and Canada have started migrating to Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2006, around 1200 Victorians claim West Indian ancestry. Calypso cricket: losing the series but winning hearts Cricket is a passion among many West Indians. From the mid-1970s to early 1990s, West Indies cricket teams were the strongest in the world. Keen rivalry produced many thrilling encounters with Australia over the years. The traditional Boxing Day Test held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a popular meeting place whenever the ‘Windies’ come on tour. West Indians in Victoria always turn out to meet ‘the boys from back home’ and each other. One famous tour of Australia was the 1960– 61 Test series. Both Frank Worrell, the first black man to lead the West Indies team abroad, and his opposing captain, Richie Benaud, encouraged their teams to play attacking cricket. clockwise from top left Karen Greenidge, migrated from Tinidad in 1989 shortly after being named Sportswoman of the Year for her golf and tennis prowess. Pictured here with cricketer Brian Lara who later won the same award, at a party held for him by the West Indian community, Melbourne 2006. The first Test match produced the only ‘Tied Test’ in 123 years, and the subsequent close contest electrified the entire cricket world. The series climax at the MCG broke an international crowd record of 90,800. A ticker tape parade drew 20,000 cheering fans to downtown Melbourne to farewell the West Indies team, who had lost 2–1. The first Australia Day cricket match and West Indian Family Day, in 1992. Tony Phillips, Malcolm McDonald and Ivan Veerasawmy at a West Indies match at the MCG, c.1995. Members of the Caribbean community look forward to hosting the visiting West Indies cricket team when they are in Australia. Here they are at dinner with Clive Lloyd. West Indians enjoying a day at the cricket. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. above Melbourne’s daily newspapers gave extensive coverage of the thrilling conclusion to the 1961 West Indies cricket tour including commentary on the migration policy of the day. Courtesy: the Age. At the height of the White Australia Policy, these stylish, articulate and multi-racial West Indian players aroused the curiosity and admiration of the public. The success of this tour added to mounting calls to repeal Australia’s racist immigration law. West Indian music and carnival top to bottom Musicians in the making: the next generation of West Indians in Victoria learn the basics of playing the bottle and spoon and the ‘iron’ brake drum. The West Indian theme for the 2008 Moomba parade was Pirates of the Caribbean. West Indians, accompanied by friends, take part in their first Moomba Parade, 1975. The West Indians entry in the Moomba Festival parade, 1975. Primary school students learn about Caribbean music from Charles Blakeman who is playing the steel pan drum, 2006. Carnival is a major Caribbean festival, when revellers from every social class throw off all inhibitions. To play mas’ (participate in Carnival) is to don a colourful costume, become anonymous and dance in the streets to the pulsating rhythms of the steelpan. Trinidad Carnival originated with slaves dressing up in finery to mimic their Catholic masters on the two days before Ash Wednesday. On other islands, carnivals occur at different times. In Barbados, ‘Crop Over’ marks the end of the sugarcane harvest. West Indian migrants have transported Carnival to their new homes overseas, such as London’s Notting Hill Carnival and Toronto’s Caribana. Melbourne’s tiny Caribbean community has also continued its Carnival traditions by participating in the Moomba parade since 1975. opposite page The Amral Cavaliers band toured Australia in 1978 and left their steel pans behind for the local community to play. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. Reggae and calypso are the most well-known musical styles originated in the West Indies. Others, less famous, include traditional folk songs such as those popularised by Harry Belafonte, and soca, kaiso, chutney, parang, dub, ska, dancehall, toasting and more. Famous Caribbean musicians have toured Melbourne over the years, from Bob Marley and Khan’s Trinidad Cavaliers in the 1970s, to Calypsonian The Mighty Sparrow in 2007 and Lady Saw in 2008. These rare visits provide other opportunities for West Indian migrants to get together, celebrate their culture and reminisce. Settling in stories The West Indians who came to Australia had different experiences from those who joined established immigrant communities in the UK, USA or Canada. These migrants chose Australia because the lifestyle and culture sounded familiar: a beautiful country with plenty of outdoor space and sporty, ‘laid-back’ people. Many wanted to avoid cold climates and competitive, urban ‘rat race’ existences. Some were also fearful of the racial tensions prevalent in many English and North American cities in the 1960s. Melbourne was a popular destination because jobs were readily available. top to bottom Lloyd Watson-Jones, shown here with his parents at Guyana airport, before boarding a plane to Australia, 1974. He came on a scholarship to study music at the Melbourne Conservatorium. Early West Indian migrants faced extreme isolation, in what sometimes felt like a clean, pleasant and efficient, but slightly dull and parochial place. Victoria also proved unexpectedly cold. Even small cultural differences required some adjustment: the ‘footy’ obsession; ‘bring-a-plate’ entertaining culture; casual dress codes; lack of domestic help or extended families; and outdoor toilets in the 1960s and 1970s! Family and friends gathered on the front lawn of the Jarvis home, to celebrate a double christening, c.1983. The Limbo dance is popular at many West Indian parties in Victoria, 2007. Gordon Veerasawmy received his Australian citizenship in 2001 from the Mayor of Knox, Cr Jenny Moore. Later, migrants from more diverse social backgrounds also found these cultural differences challenging. Discrimination was also an issue, sometimes resulting in different experiences for members of the same community – or even family – depending on their physical appearance. Orlando and Lenford chillin’ at the West Indian community’s annual Australia Day Cricket Lime, 2009. The DeFreitas brothers (second left and far right) migrated from Trinidad in 1966 and immediately volunteered for the Vietnam War. They remained in touch with their good friends, the Thomas brothers, who migrated in 1967. They are shown here at one of their regular reunions, 1999. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. above, top to bottom After the children moved out, Pat and Kester Thomas downsized to a Melbournestyle chattel house! The fretwork and sound of the rainfall on the tin roof especially reminded them of their house in the West Indies. Soon after Rodney and Ingrid Jarvis’ arrival in Melbourne in 1975, they celebrated their wedding with their Australian family. Source: Museum Victoria Caribbean Community Photographic Collection. Despite these problems, West Indians generally felt welcomed and accepted, and were able to build productive and comfortable new lives in Victoria. Although we are deeply nostalgic for what we left behind, we also celebrate our Australian identities. Acknowledgements Callaloo – the Caribbean Mix in Victoria was inaugurated at the Immigration Museum at Old Customs House, Melbourne, Australia. The museum explores the stories and experiences of people from all over the world who have migrated to Victoria. The Immigration Museum is part of Museum Victoria which is Australia’s largest museum organisation. It is the State Museum for Victoria, responsible for the care of Victoria’s collections, conducting research and providing cultural and science programs. It also operates Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and the Royal Exhibition Building. THANK YOU We gratefully acknowledge those who have provided support for this exhibition, the individuals and families who have contributed their personal stories, artefacts and memorabilia. This exhibition is an achievement that will record the valuable contribution of the Caribbean community to making Australia a rich and diverse society. Stephanie Alexander Body text Through its Community Exhibition program, the Charles Blakeman Immigration Museum explores the different communities Dr Serdar Boztas that have contributed to the making of modern Australia. Jigzie Campbell Callaloo was developed by Immigration Museum in Jimmy Chinnama collaboration with CaribVic representing the Caribbean Jacqueline Dedier community in Victoria. Jayne & Brian DeFreitas COMMUNITY EXHIBITION COMMITTEE Orlando Gibson Ingrid Jarvis Jennai Lee Fai Lisa Montague Tony Phillips Joe Singh Dr. Karina Smith Patricia Thomas Leslyn Thompson Gordon Veerasawmy Maria Tence Peg Fraser ADDITIONAL MATERIAL COURTESY OF National Library of Australia The Age The Herald Sun Cover image: Jigzie Campbell, Jamaican-born performing artist. Photographer: J Augier, MV Collections. Photograph: David Loram Maureen & Frank DeFreitas Henry, Carla & Celeste Dolphin Lincoln Edwards Jacqueline Fitch Dennis Gonsalves Jacquie Grant Tony & Karen Greenidge Dr. Annie Greet Harry Jackson Rodney Jarvis Nigel Maharaj Professor John Maynard Tim & Gail Mew Spurgeon Montague Sue Montague Robert Moore Roger & Robyn Phillips Schavana Phillips Dr Lesley Potter Gerri Singh Madeleine Smith Maria Stratford Cathy & Brian Thomas Kester Thomas Phillip Lyons Ivan Veerasawmy Marco Vellekoop Jim & Melita Vlassopoulos Arthur & Arlete Waite Trish Wakeford Mike & Adrienne Ward Lloyd & June Watson-Jones Kenoll Wilson Callaloo – the Caribbean Mix in Victoria 3 December 2009 – 7 March 2010 Community Exhibition Program at the Immigration Museum, Melbourne, Australia The Community Gallery presents exhibitions created by Victoria’s culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse communities. By working in collaboration with the Immigration Museum, these communities share their culture and heritage through their immigration stories. The histories and experiences of many groups have contributed to the making of modern Australia. The museum has collaborated with many of Victoria’s communities to develop and present exhibitions. For further information please visit our website museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/ or the Immigration Discovery Centre on the ground floor. Design: Elizabeth Dias, MV Studios Museum Victoria Printed on Sovereign Silk – FSC certified paper, manufactured with elemental chlorine free pulps.
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