SOCA & ROAD CULTURE
He’s known as the “Viking of Soca” and gave us hits like “Differentology” (“We ready!”).
Who is Bunji Garlin?
This small but mighty nation is the world’s oldest Black republic, established in 1804.
What is Haiti?
The Caribbean Christmas drink ponche de crème likely evolved from this medieval European milk-based punch.
What is eggnog?
This former British colony became a republic in 2021, replacing the monarch with its first President, Dame Sandra Mason.
What is Barbados?
This Jamaican parish, home to the Rio Grande, is considered the birthplace of rafting tourism in the Caribbean.
What is Portland?
Before becoming a staple of Carnival, this type of soca evolved from the fusion of calypso with East Indian rhythms.
What is chutney soca ?
This is the only CARICOM member-state whose official language is Dutch.
What is Suriname?
This dessert, soaked in rum and wine, was historically baked in a way that the fruit had to “survive” the cooking process to be considered authentic.
What is black/fruit cake?
CARICOM was established in 1973 to promote economic integration and cooperation among Caribbean states, but its headquarters is located in this city.
What is Georgetown, Guyana?
This Maroon leader signed the 1739 peace treaty with the British and is honoured as a national heroine for securing land and autonomy for her people.
Who is Queen Nanny (Nanny of the Maroons)?
This Trinidadian star famously sang, “This one goin'an fog up de place!”
Who is Machel Montano?
This island’s Pitons — two volcanic plugs — are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Caribbean’s most photographed landmarks.
What is Saint Lucia?
In many Caribbean homes, this drink made of hibiscus, ginger, and cloves is the true star of the Christmas season.
What is sorrel?
This Jamaican national hero founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, also known as the UNIA.
Who is Marcus Garvey?
Jamaica’s motto, “Out of Many, One People,” reflects its multicultural heritage and was officially adopted in this year.
What is the 1962?
This island’s “jab” tradition — oil, horns, and heavy rhythms — helped shape the emergence of modern power soca.
What is Grenada?
Shared by two nations, this island is home to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
What is Hispaniola?
This dish is a must for Jamaican Christmas dinners, it can be served on its own or in soup.
What are pigeon peas/ gungo peas?
The Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago meets in this historic building, famously rebuilt after the 1903 Water Riots.
What is the Red House?
This Jamaican writer won the Man Booker prize in 2015 for his book "A brief history of seven killings".
Who is Marlon James?
The Road March title in Trinidad & Tobago is awarded based on plays at this specific Carnival event — not radio spins or streaming.
What is the Parade of the Bands?
This island is home to the oldest cathedral in the Caribbean, originally built by the French in the 17th century and dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
What is Martinique?
This festive genre — with instruments like the cuatro and maracas — dominates Trinidad’s Christmas season.
What is parang?
This Caribbean leader was the first woman to serve as Prime Minister in the English-speaking Caribbean, taking office in 1980.
Who is Eugenia Charles (Dominica)?
This Jamaican slave uprising in 1831, led by Baptist preacher Samuel Sharpe, forced the British to accelerate emancipation.
What is the Baptist War (or Christmas Rebellion)?