Spice Island culture, resilience, and eco-creativity in the Caribbean
Grenada, known as the “Spice Island” for its nutmeg and cocoa, is rich in cultural and ecological diversity. From calypso and carnival to traditional crafts and storytelling, the island’s identity blends African, European, and Indigenous influences. Yet Grenada faces pressing climate challenges: hurricanes, coastal erosion, coral reef loss, and plastic waste. In response, Grenadian artists and cultural communities are turning to sustainability in the arts — merging heritage crafts with recycled innovation, eco-fashion, and climate-conscious performance to strengthen resilience.
Grenada’s cultural practices reflect resourcefulness and ecological ties:
Basketry & weaving: Baskets, mats, and hats made from cane, bamboo, and palm leaves.
Wood carving: Utensils, masks, and ornaments created from local woods.
Pottery: Clay vessels shaped by hand, traditionally fired with natural materials.
Carnival costumes: Historically made from natural fibers, fabrics, and hand-sewn elements.
Music & instruments: Drums, steel pans, and maracas rooted in recycled and natural materials.
Oral storytelling: Folktales and songs emphasizing survival, farming, and harmony with land and sea.
These traditions form the cultural foundation for eco-arts in Grenada today.
Artists repurpose plastic bottles, metal, and fishing nets into sculptures, murals, and carnival costumes. Eco-art is increasingly used to raise awareness about marine pollution and climate resilience.
Designers are reimagining carnival costumes with upcycled materials, biodegradable fabrics, and natural dyes, blending creativity with environmental responsibility.
Calypso, reggae, and soca artists increasingly address themes of hurricanes, rising seas, and resilience, using music as a platform for environmental education.
Grassroots theatre groups perform plays about disaster preparedness, water conservation, and recycling, engaging both children and adults in creative sustainability.
Events like Spicemas (Carnival), Carriacou Maroon & String Band Festival, and Grenada Arts Council exhibitionshighlight recycled art, eco-crafts, and climate-centered performances.
Spicemas eco-costume designers – transforming carnival with sustainable creativity.
Grenada Arts Council – promoting contemporary art with ecological themes.
Carriacou craft cooperatives – sustaining basketry and eco-crafts for eco-tourism.
Youth mural collectives – painting biodiversity and climate resilience messages.
Musicians & poets – blending calypso and spoken word with climate storytelling.
Hurricane vulnerability, with storms destroying cultural spaces and resources.
Plastic pollution and marine degradation, affecting both fisheries and art materials.
Small market size, limiting global exposure for eco-artists.
Economic pressures, making eco-materials less affordable than imports.
Eco-tourism & arts: Linking eco-arts to Grenada’s spice heritage, beaches, and marine reserves.
Global eco-fashion: Positioning Grenadian carnival and textile design in international sustainable fashion markets.
Youth empowerment: Expanding eco-art education in schools to merge creativity with climate resilience.
Caribbean collaboration: Grenada could join a regional eco-arts network with St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Dominica.
In Grenada, sustainability in the arts is both a revival of heritage and a creative response to climate threats. From basketry and spice-inspired crafts to recycled carnival costumes and climate-conscious calypso, artists are turning creativity into resilience. As hurricanes and rising seas intensify, Grenada’s arts sector stands as a cultural bridge between identity, ecological awareness, and sustainable futures.