Little Britain?

Barbados is often called "Little Britain". There's no denying that the British influence stretches through many parts of the island's economic, political, and social affairs. The current links to Britain are most evident in the prevalence of British tourists, landed regularly by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

It's certainly no surprise to hear British accents more often than North American twang. Of course, as part of the former British Empire, cars drive on the left, and there are zebra crossings. However, fish and chips does not replace puddin' and souse on Fridays.

The influence of the "mother country" is also clear in politics, which follows the British parliamentary system and is backed by a legal system based on English law and practices.

In terms of social affairs, there are some aspects that seem to be more out of a piece of British life than something truly Caribbean. One such piece is the Holders festival. This is a series of events running through March, hosted on the former Holders plantation, which is located near the upper scale tourist resorts in St. James parish. The owners open up the grounds for a series of events, which are sponsored by various companies, including Virgin Atlantic. The property hosts a polo field, and the grounds are surrounded by newer upscale housing. Seats and a stage are set in the gardens, which are graced with huge bougainvilleas and palm tress, and provide a wonderful setting for the theatrical events that are offered. These events all have a strong British flavour, including bringing in artistes from the UK for the festival. The overwhelming majority of the patrons is white, and many sound as if they are British visitors of various vintages. Their behaviour is also very British (though it's not on a par with the Glyndebourne festival, more like events held on Hampstead Heath) with those who come toting picnic hampers and bottles of champagne and wine, matched by those buying their wines and beers by the bottle or glass. The Bajan influence is seen in the barbecue stand, with its very good dolphin burgers.

Holders gets away from this image a little with its family fun day, which seems to attract more black Bajans with their children. The acts this year also included a group from the community of Haynesville, near Holders Hill, who provided a troupe of wonderful young drummers and dancers. (For the cricket fans, the Holders Hill area is from where hail such West Indies living greats such as Charlie Griffiths and Desmond Haynes.) Black Bajan artistes performed songs and read poetry and stories. However, the British stamp is there clearly, and had whimsical twists in the form of the large faux photo poster of Buckingham Palace and an appearance from "The Queen"--a quite good double of Her Majesty.

Holders is part of the contradictory tapestry that exists in Barbados. Is the island Little Britain or is it something else?