Greek Bahamians
Encyclopedia
Greek Bahamians, also called Bahamian Greeks, are the descendants of the Greek labourers who began coming to the Bahamas
in 1887 to help develop the sponging industry.
, who had lived an impoverished life as fishermen in their home country; however, after their arrival in the Bahamas, they used hired black labour and their own international connections to move up the economic chain into the middleman role. Their economic success earned them resentment from the native fishermen, leading to the growth of opposition to immigration
. Families from Kalymnos
later followed as bakers, restaurateurs, and shoemakers. After the death of the sponge beds due to fungal infection, most other Greeks moved into the restaurant and hospitality industry as well, while others branched out into retailing and furniture making (thus becoming the first to manufacture furniture in the islands). Some also migrated onwards, going to Tarpon Springs
, Florida
to develop the sponging trade there. However, the anti-immigrant sentiment in the Bahamas continued to grow through the early 20th century, leading to restrictive immigration policies implemented in the late 1920s.
The Bahamas also later became a destination for rich Greek American
s and native Greeks, about a dozen of whom maintained vacation homes in Nassau
and its surroundings.
, as well as the airport catering service, were owned by Greeks. The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, on West Street in Nassau, was built in 1932; it is noted as an example of historic architecture in the Caribbean islands. It consists of a small wood-frame octagonal Byzantine tower, topped by a groined
dome. The community holds festivals on various dates of significance in Greek politics and the Greek Orthodox religion, including Easter
(celebrated according to the Julian calendar
), the anniversary of Greek independence
, and the Epiphany. At the latter, they preserve the custom, referred to as "quaint" by community members, of throwing a cross into the sea and holding a competition to see who can swim out and retrieve it first. A Greek dance
gala is also held biannually.
Most Greeks in the Bahamas belong to the middle and upper-middle socioeconomic classes of society. Many young Greek-Bahamians of the second or third generation go overseas for their tertiary education, especially to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, before returning home to take up careers. Common professions include law, medicine, and the construction business.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
in 1887 to help develop the sponging industry.
Migration history
Early Greek migrants were expert spongers from the Aegean IslandsAegean Islands
The Aegean Islands are the group of islands in the Aegean Sea, with mainland Greece to the west and north and Turkey to the east; the island of Crete delimits the sea to the south, those of Rhodes, Karpathos and Kasos to the southeast...
, who had lived an impoverished life as fishermen in their home country; however, after their arrival in the Bahamas, they used hired black labour and their own international connections to move up the economic chain into the middleman role. Their economic success earned them resentment from the native fishermen, leading to the growth of opposition to immigration
Opposition to immigration
Opposition to immigration is present in most nation-states with immigration, and has become a significant political issue in many countries. Immigration in the modern sense refers to movement of people from one nation-state to another, where they are not citizens. It is important to distinguish...
. Families from Kalymnos
Kalymnos
Kalymnos, is a Greek island and municipality in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It belongs to the Dodecanese and is located to the west of the peninsula of Bodrum , between the islands of Kos and Leros : the latter is linked to it through a series of islets...
later followed as bakers, restaurateurs, and shoemakers. After the death of the sponge beds due to fungal infection, most other Greeks moved into the restaurant and hospitality industry as well, while others branched out into retailing and furniture making (thus becoming the first to manufacture furniture in the islands). Some also migrated onwards, going to Tarpon Springs
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to develop the sponging trade there. However, the anti-immigrant sentiment in the Bahamas continued to grow through the early 20th century, leading to restrictive immigration policies implemented in the late 1920s.
The Bahamas also later became a destination for rich Greek American
Greek American
Greek Americans are Americans of Greek descent also described as Hellenic descent. According to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimation, there were 1,380,088 people of Greek ancestry in the United States, while the State Department mentions that around 3,000,000 Americans claim to be of Greek descent...
s and native Greeks, about a dozen of whom maintained vacation homes in Nassau
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
and its surroundings.
Culture
Greek-Bahamians have been able to preserve some of their culture, including Greek cuisine; at one time, nearly all of the good restaurants in downtown NassauNassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
, as well as the airport catering service, were owned by Greeks. The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, on West Street in Nassau, was built in 1932; it is noted as an example of historic architecture in the Caribbean islands. It consists of a small wood-frame octagonal Byzantine tower, topped by a groined
Groin vault
A groin vault or groined vault is produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults. The word groin refers to the edge between the intersecting vaults; cf. ribbed vault. Sometimes the arches of groin vaults are pointed instead of round...
dome. The community holds festivals on various dates of significance in Greek politics and the Greek Orthodox religion, including Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
(celebrated according to the Julian calendar
Julian calendar
The Julian calendar began in 45 BC as a reform of the Roman calendar by Julius Caesar. It was chosen after consultation with the astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria and was probably designed to approximate the tropical year .The Julian calendar has a regular year of 365 days divided into 12 months...
), the anniversary of Greek independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
, and the Epiphany. At the latter, they preserve the custom, referred to as "quaint" by community members, of throwing a cross into the sea and holding a competition to see who can swim out and retrieve it first. A Greek dance
Greek dances
Greek dance is a very old tradition, being referred to by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. There are different styles and interpretations from all of the islands and surrounding mainland areas. Each region formed its own choreography and style to fit in with their own ways...
gala is also held biannually.
Most Greeks in the Bahamas belong to the middle and upper-middle socioeconomic classes of society. Many young Greek-Bahamians of the second or third generation go overseas for their tertiary education, especially to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, before returning home to take up careers. Common professions include law, medicine, and the construction business.
External links
- Pericles Maillis: "Bahamians of Greek Descent, Our Story" (video of a 2007 presentation to the Bahamas Historical Society)