Carib refers to a member of an indigenous group originally inhabiting the Caribbean islands and the northeastern coast of South America. The term "Carib" can also be used to describe their language, culture, or anything related to this group.
The Caribs were an Amerindian people known for their fierce and war-like nature. Historically, they were among the first inhabitants of the Caribbean islands, particularly Dominica, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines. They also resided along the coast of present-day Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. The Caribs were known for their skilled seafaring abilities and were often involved in trading with other indigenous groups in the region.
The Caribs were highly organized, living in small political units called tribes, and often engaged in conflicts with neighboring tribes. Their society was patriarchal, with the men primarily responsible for hunting, fishing, and warfare while the women focused on agriculture and domestic tasks.
The Carib language, also called Cariban, is an indigenous language family that includes several related dialects and is still spoken by some indigenous communities today.
The arrival of European colonizers in the late 15th century brought significant disruption and violence to the Carib people. Many were enslaved or killed, while others assimilated into the cultures of colonizers or migrated to other regions, resulting in a decline in Carib populations. However, efforts to preserve Carib culture and heritage continue today, and there are still communities proudly identifying as Carib, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean.
