“God doing limbo” : creolised belief systems represented in selected Caribbean poems

Abstract

This dissertation explores the representation of Afro-Caribbean mythology, folklore, and tradition in postcolonial Caribbean poetry. In addition, this study explores how references to Afro-Caribbean folklore connect the African diaspora in the Caribbean to a shared history of belief and has become essential in the creation of a creolised national culture. The significance of the representation of Afro-Caribbean folklore, mythology, and tradition in poetry is explored through selected poems by Olive Senior and John Agard. Poetry by Kei Miller is also explored to highlight how the rejection of evangelicalism and the reshaping of Christianity is an important aspect of creolised culture in the Caribbean. Thereafter, Tanya Shirley’s poetry is analysed for a unique view of black female sexuality in relation to Afro-Caribbean spirituality. As this dissertation delves into the intricate threads of Afro-Caribbean mythology, folklore, and tradition woven into the verses of postcolonial Caribbean poetry, it becomes evident that beyond the rejection of colonial forces, these rich cultural expressions serve as a unifying chorus, harmonising the echoes of shared histories, resilient beliefs, and diverse voices, ultimately crafting a vibrant creolised national culture that resonates with the heartbeat of the Afro-Caribbean spirit.