One of these is held at the end of the summer.  On Labor Day the Caribbean immigrants in New York hold a Caribbean Day Parade in Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. They wear costumes made from colorful wires bent into different shapes and decorated with feathers, sequins, sponges, and other materials.  Then they parade on the streets dancing to calypso music.  Other Caribbean festivals such as the Puerto Rican American festival and the Cuban American festival have also become annual events in many cities across the United States.  Music is very important to the Caribbean people. They play music for different special occasions like carnivals.   They have jazz, drone, and rhythm and blues. Caribbean immigrants and other nationalities in America enjoy dancing to the beat of the Calypso, Salsa, Limbo, Soca, Tango, Mambo, and Reggae. 

 

 

Customs and Practices

The Caribbean Islands contain a multi- racial population  known for its distinct customs and traditions, which are reflected in various festivals and celebrations that are observed throughout the whole year. 

 

Reasons for Caribbean Immigration

        Most Caribbean immigrants came to America in search for a better life. They are hardworking people. Young Caribbean immigrants are studious and most of them excel in school and hope to get a better education for themselves.  Many have come for an education and stayed in the United States.

 

Food and Products

        Some of the Earth’s most interesting and diverse foods are native to Central and South America.  Fruits such as rambutan, mangoes, pineapples, papayas, and pitahayas are considered “exotic” fruits by importing countries, such as the United States.  These foods are common to the diet of South and Central American people and are now imported to the United States.  You will find them at your neighborhood grocery store.

 

Customs and Practices

        Central and South American immigrants have brought their holidays and festivals with them to the United States.  Probably the best known of these is Carnival, which is a 4-day celebration prior to the beginning of Lent. It starts on Saturday, and ends on Fat Tuesday. Carnival Sunday is seven weeks before Easter Sunday.  In the United States, Mardi-Gras is celebrated around the same time.

 

 

Food

        People from the Caribbean who live in the United States eat foods from their homeland. Among other things, they eat plantain, sweet potatoes, rice and peas, black cake, patties, bananas, squash, and other fruits and vegetables, salt fish, and breadfruit.  The Caribbean Islands are known for their tasty food like curried chicken, lamb, goat, or duck, cooked -up rice, dhal puri, and arroz con pollo. These dishes consist of a variety of spices.  You might find many of these dishes in a Caribbean restaurant if there is one in your neighborhood.

 

       Mexican

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   Latin American

Central and South American Immigrants

Reasons for Immigration

        After the Spanish-American War (1898), the United States gained control over Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. Over time, many Spanish speakers from these countries moved to the mainland of North America. The immigrants primarily settled in neighborhoods in California, Florida, New York, and New Jersey, where they continued to use Spanish.  Immigration by Spanish speakers further increased during the 20th century. Many immigrants fled political instability in Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Also, many Latin American students came to North America to study at colleges and universities.