The document provides an introduction to the culture of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It discusses gender roles, traditions, rituals, and communication concepts. For gender roles, it describes women's responsibilities like cooking and cleaning while men work in fishing, agriculture, and tourism. Traditions include annual carnivals and storytelling. Rituals involve dances like Mocko Jumbies and weddings in churches. Effective communication requires understanding English phrases, modest dress norms, and showing respect for locals.

1. The Virgin
Islands
An Introduction to the Culture of the Virgin
Islands
A simple way to communicate better
Presented by: Casseanna Anderson, Gina Blanchet-
Parker, Brooke Costa, & Ashley Wood
(Virgin islands picture, 2012)

2. Table of Contents
This guide to the culture of the Virgin Islands can help a person avoid culture shock, the sense of
anxiety, stress or confusion while traveling to another area (Beebe, Beebe, Ivy, Lane & Redmond, 2011) It
is best to learn about the culture before travel to be comfortable and polite during travel. Topics include:
Introduction to the Islands
Gender Roles by Brooke Costa
Nonverbal Use of Clothing- Informal by Cassea Anderson
Nonverbal Use of Clothing- Formal by Gina Blanchet-Parker
Traditions and Rituals by Ashley Wood
Communication Concepts/Conclusion
Virgin Island Discussion Questions

3. Virgin Islands
Introduction
Provided by: Facts and figures, 1998
• Average temperature is 77°F in the winter and 82°F in the
summer
• The U.S. purchased
(A nation or, 2011)
St. Croix, St. Thomas
and St. John under
• Before the United the guidance of the
States purchase U.S. Navy in 1917 for
of the islands, “6 $25 million in gold
flags have flown
over” them
including
Spanish, British,
Danish, Knights (Lee, 2010)
of Malta, French
and Dutch • Christopher Columbus landed on St.
Croix during his second voyage in
1493 and named the island Santa
(Flag of the, 2011)
Cruz

4. As in many societies, the woman are
expected to be responsible for most of the
cooking and food preparation in the home.
In this section we will look at the gender
roles in the Virgin Islands. On the left a
Virgin Island woman carries fruit in a head
basket (Richardson, 2010). The image on
the right is from an old cookbook and
displays culture and heritage (Virgin
islands cooking, 2012).

5. Roles of Virgin Island
Women
Ockerstrom (2012) explains, women in the Virgin Islands are primarily
responsible for cooking, cleaning, gardening, sewing and care of the
children. Although many families are considered traditional including a
mother and a father, 28% of families are led by single mothers. 76% of the
University students are female.
Some women hold jobs outside of the home including:
• “Higgling” or street peddling including selling food or homemade items
• Crafting piece work items at home for large companies (often for low
wages)

6. Roles of Virgin Island
Men
In 1990 the median income for Virgin Islanders was just over
$24,000 per year. Ockerstrom (2012) explains
• Virgin Island men are responsible for many domestic chores including:
fishing, building houses and agriculture production.
• Many men hold positions in upper level management & public offices.
• 71% of US Virgin Island families are lead by a male who is “head” of the family.
• 30% of workers are employed to aid and support tourism.
• Fruit, vegetables and bay leaves are harvested from the islands. Puerto Rico
purchases cattle from the islands.
• St. Croix is home to the largest oil refinery in the world.

8. Nonverbal Use of
Clothing- Informal
Tactful swim wear.
In the Virgin Islands, swim
wear stays at the beach. While
in town, it is considered not
acceptable to wear swim wear
such as bathing suits. (U.s.
virgin island travel
guide, 2007)
(Wedding pictures, 2009)

9. Nonverbal Use of
Clothing- Informal
For the children norms, they
wear cotton school uniforms
with shoes and sneakers. Men
wear shirts and long pants
with shoes or sandals. The
younger generation prefers
styles from the U.S. mainland,
such as T-shirts, jeans, or
shorts. (Proquest, 2009)
Ockerstrom (2012) shows typical school apparel.

10. (St. croix’s carnival)

11. Nonverbal Use of
Clothing- Formal
The Virgin Islands are divided into two parts- the British side
and the U.S. side. Both sides retain conservative clothing
expectations – even of visitors. (Clothing and attire in the
virgin islands)
• Many locals will find any clothing that shows the tummy and
chest too casual and socially inappropriate. Going
shirtless, even for men is not acceptable. (Clothing and attire in
the virgin islands)
• In some parts of the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s even illegal to wear
beachwear to places other than the beach. (Clothing and attire
in the virgin islands)

12. Nonverbal Use of
Clothing- Formal
Although the Virgin Islands’
apparel is generally modest
and casual, special
celebrations call for a more
formal attire such as the
one pictured here.
(Bareuther, 2011)
Ceremonial dresses are
worn during beauty (Blu, 2011)
pageants, which are in
important part of the Virgin
Islands’ culture.

13. Nonverbal Use of
Clothing
The weather in the Virgin Islands is
tropical, so dress to prevent overheating
and sunburn. Remember, the Virgin
Islands are located closer to the
equator, so the sun does more damage in
less time than here in the Continental U.S.
The key to dressing either formally or
informally is to be comfortable but modest
conservative...less than that is considered (St. thomas, 2011)
disrespectful.

15. Rituals of the Virgin
Islands
•Carnival known as the • Started to disappear
“Biggest Party of the during World War I and
Year” (Culture & history- then revive again in 1952
carnival) (Culture & history-
•St. Croix- December carnival)
(Culture & history- • Carnival festivals include
carnival) beauty pageants, talent
•St. Thomas- Final week shows, boat races, and
of April (Culture & floats (Culture & history-
history- carnival) carnival)
(Carnaval- 2010, 2010)
•St. Johns- 4th of July • Goal is to preserve the
week (Culture & history- Islands’ culture and the
carnival) development of tourism
• Began in 1912 during the final year
under Danish ruling (Culture & history- (Celebrating sixty years)
carnival)

16. Rituals of the Virgin
Islands
• Traditions include numerous superstitions
and storytelling (Virgin islands culture)
• Tales are told to children as “cautionary” in
order to teach lessons; much like our
American Aesop fables (Virgin islands
culture)
• Superstitions include “jumbies” or ghost-like
spirits (Virgin islands culture)
• “Bru-Nansi”; most common story character
(Virgin islands culture)
• Mocko jumbies refer to “healer spirit” (Virgin islands culture)

17. Rituals of the Virgin
Islands
A Mocko Jumbie performance at The Mocko Jumbie dance is traditionally
weddings, graduations, parties, or performed at religious ceremonies and
parades is considered an honor as rites of passage (Mocko jumbies- the)
well as a blessing (Mocko
jumbies- the) Dancers perform on stilts while wearing
long and colorful dresses; stilts add on
height to scare away evil spirits and
“chase” children that misbehave (Mocko
jumbies- the)
Spiritualizes the spirit world (United
states virgin)
Includes acrobatics and stunts as part of
(Mocko jumbies- the)
performance (United states virgin)

18. Rituals of the Virgin
Islands
Many weddings take place at
churches like St. Ursula’s
Episcopal (pictured left) to
honor the European-influenced
style ritual (United states
virgin)
“Jump the Broom” style
includes the bride and groom
“sweeping away” their former
(Church wedding locations) single lives and the joining and
creation of a new family
(Jumping the broom)

19. Rituals of the Virgin
Islands
Festivals Agrifest
Johnny Cakes and Seamoss Agriculture and Food Fest
(Virgin islands food)
Includes farmers and local
Popular food/drink at merchants and craftsmen;
parties, graduations, wedding, birt similar to Farmer’s Markets in
hs (Virgin islands food) the U.S.
Johnny Cakes- fried cornmeal Photo Credit: (Barnes, 2011) Highlights the agriculture and
cakes made from baking Photo Credit: (Spivak, 2007) the richness of the island’s
powder, salt, shortening, flour, sug culture
ar, and milk (Caribbean cooking)
Highly anticipated annual
Seamoss- seaweed boiled until it event that is supported by the
dissolves and then mixed with
Department of Tourism
milk and spices (Virgin islands
food) (38th annual agrifest)

20. Communication
Concepts
While learning the culture you may find the following communication
concepts helpful in interacting with the native people. Visitors are
encouraged to slow down and relax as taking their time will help to
comprehend and communicate better with the culture
(Beebe, Beebe, Ivy, Lane & Redmond)
• English is the most widely spoken language but infused with a Creole
or calypso twist (Virgin islands’ languages)
• Locals speak very quickly and with a heavy accent; often difficult to
understand at first (Virgin islands’ languages)

21. Communication
Concepts -Verbal
Learning a few key phrases can help you adjust to the new culture quicker and more
smoothly.
“Good Morning”, Good Afternoon”, and “Good Night” are warm greetings in the Islands
and are considered the norm (Virgin islands culture)
Saying “Hello” or “Hi” is informal and frowned upon by the locals (U.s virgin islands
local customs)
Ockerstrom explains, (2012) Some common proverbs are: “What a kallaloo!”
Kallaloo is a soup made of greens and seaweed but this phrase is used in the Islands
to reference any type of mess.
“Limin’” A slang term referring to laying back and enjoying the day.

22. Communication
Concepts- Nonverbal
Use of Clothing
To have good communication it is a necessity to find out culture norms when
traveling to new places.
The U.S virgin island: tipping & etiquette guide (2006) states, A culture’s
norms are important to understand to have good communication with the
residents of that area. Residents of the Virgin Island are extremely modest
in their dress. Dress is casual, and you want to be as cool as possible, but
please cover up when in public.
One of the most important aspects to consider while visiting the islands is to
remember to treat locals with respect and not as tourist attractions. Instead
of being condescending or patronizing, be polite and courteous during your
stay.

23. Discussion Questions
• Why do you think saying “Hello” or “Hi” is frowned upon?
?
• When is it okay and not okay to wear swim suit attire?
?
• With nearly ¾ of University students being women, how do you
speculate this may change the family dynamics and economy of
? the island in the upcoming generation?

24. References
38th annual agrifest. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.vinow.com/articles/011609agrifest.php
A nation or nobody. (2011). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://baytreekingdom.blogspot.com
2011/10/geraldo-guirty-on-us-virgin-islands.html
Bareuther, C. (Photographer). (2011). Celebrate st. john!. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
http://www.virginislandsthisweek.com/featured_articles/_by_carol_bareuther_rd.html
Barnes, D. (Photographer). (2011). ‘must try’ local foods. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
http://www.virginislandsthisweek.com/featured_articles/must_try_local_foods_1.html
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., D. K., Lane, S. D., & Redmond, M. V. (2011) The Blue Book of
Communication
Studies. (p.151) Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions.
Blu, S. (Photographer). (2011). Virgin islands carnival queen 2011 elisa thomas. [Print Photo].
Retrieved from http://shinymeteor.blogspot.com/2011/04/virgin-islands-carnival-queen-2011.html
Caribbean cooking. (2005, January 25). Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.caribbeancboice.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?tid=75386
Carnaval- 2010. (2010). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.carnaval2010.org/tag/virgin-islands
carnival/
Celebrating sixty years. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.vicarnival.com/whattoexpect.html
Church wedding locations on st. john us virgin islands. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www. usviwedding.com/ceremony_locations_churches.html
Clothing and attire in the virgin islands. (2012) Retrieved from http://virginislands-
guide.info/travel.basics
/clothing.and.attire/

25. References
Culture & history – carnival. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.visitusvi.com/culture_history
Facts and figures about the u.s. virgin islands. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://usvi-info.com/infousvi
faqsguide.html
Flag of the british virgin islands. (2011). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
File:Flag_of_the_British_Virgin_Islands.svg
Jumping the broom history. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com/ceremonybroom.html
Lee, C. (Photographer). (2012). Retrieved from http://www.here.vi/Islands/islands.html
Mocko jumbies– the colorful spirits of the virgin islands. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.piratesparadiseadventures.com/mocko-jumbies-colorful-spirits-of-virgin-islands/
Ockerstrom, L. (2012) Virgin Islander Americans. Retrieved from
http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Sr-Z/Virgin-Islander-Americans.html
Proquest. World Edition. (2009) The Americas 1. (p.146) Utah, Provo: Culture Grams.
Richardson, K. (Photographer). (2010). Santa rosa. [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1429464935622&set=o.80785538462&type=3&theater
Spivak, S. (Photographer). (2007). Salt fish and callaloo fritters. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
http://www.best-virgin-islands-guide.com/images/salt-fish-and-callaloo-fritters-by-avlxyz-virgin
islands.jpg
St. croix's carnival. (n.d.) [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
http://www.gotostcroix.com/images/carnival/carnival5b.jpg

26. References
St. thomas. (2011). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
http://virgin-islands-hotels.com/category/navigation/hotels/st-thomas-hotels-resorts/
U.s. virgin islands local customs. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Caribbean_and_Central_America/U_S_Virgin_Islands/
U.s. virgin islands: tipping & etiquette. (2006) Retrieved February 13, 2012 from www.tripadvisor.com
U.s. virgin travel guide. (2007) Retrieved February 9, 2012 from www.best-virgin-islands-guide.com
United states virgin islands. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/United-States-Virgin-Islands.html
Virgin islands carnival celebrations. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/carnival/
Virgin islands cooking. (2012). [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
http://www.facebook.com/photo/phpfbid=10150488934403463&set=a85586203462. 82438.80785
538462%type=3&theater#1/photo.php? fbid=1429464935622&swt=o. 80785538462&type=
3&theater
Virgin islands culture. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/culture/
Virgin islands food & drink. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/culture/food.php
Virgin islands’ languages. (n.d.) Retrieved February 11, 2012 from
http://www.virginislands-guide.info/travel.basics/languages
Virgin islands picture. (2012). [Printo Photo]. Retrieved from http://picture4u.net/virgin-islands/
Wedding pictures. (2009, April 27). Retrieved from http://ohanablog.com