Captain Mango is the first Tordenskjold Pirate to be introduced. The association is the Caribbean cultures, as we might know it. The 350 years Dan-Nor Caribbean cultures have not vanished, even though the islands were sold a century ago. The cultures still exist in several ways, however evolved, integrated and even assimilated. As inspiration, this week’s music theme of Caribbean relates to mango drinks, relaxation, privacy, and even rebellions, - like some Dane reggae.
This first of the eight pirates will set the focus on some cultural roots from the Dan-Nor Caribbean cultures, - and how that relate to the concept of Tordenskjold Pirates. The following citations are based on the article ‘A Brief History of the Danish West Indies, 1666-1917’, - where term ‘Danes’ should refer to the Dane-Nor union at that time. “In the wake of Netherlanders, Englishmen and Frenchmen, the Danes started sailing to the Caribbean. At the beginning as crew members onboard foreign vessels, but from the 1640s under the Danish flag. The Danes were particularly interested in the island of Saint Thomas which was not expressly claimed by any other European nation and which was favoured by an excellent natural harbour.”
“The Danes settled Saint Thomas in 1666. After one-and-a-half year, the surviving Danes gave up their plans and temporarily left the island. However, Dane activities became effective in 1671, when the Royal Chartered Danish West India and Guinea Company was founded. The Company was given a royal charter, granting it a national monopoly as well as several other favors. The Danes occupied Saint Thomas, built Fort Christian to protect the natural harbour and the town Charlotte Amalie. Efforts centered on the founding of plantations of tobacco, sugar and cotton, and to establish of trade links. Allotment of land attracted people of various nationalities. In 1688 there were 338 free inhabitants and 392 were slaves, while 45 % were Dutch and 13 % Danes. Immigration was relatively high due to the socially tolerant and politically neutral Danish West Indies.” It might not be relevant, but 1666 is the year that the British capital London was burned.
“Denmark stayed neutral during the many great wars, especially the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The harbour of Charlotte Amalie was opened to ships of all nations. The island became a commercial center for goods from all over the region. However, Denmark became involved in war with Great Britain and the three islands were occupied by the British in 1801-02 and 1807-15 without any military resistance. In belated response, the Dane soldiers increased to 400, in addition to the local burgher militia. However, the colony did not handle economic balance and got serious problems since the Company’s insistence that all trade was handled by its own personnel and ships.” There was a permanent tension between GB and Danes even though these events happened the century before and after 1700. Intriguingly, the Dane and English flags are made opposite, - and the meaning of the letter ‘I’ is also defined quite opposite (i.e. ‘me’ in English and ‘you’ in Danish). Furthermore, it seems that the Danes and the Dutch were not as independent as history indicates, but rather contractors for larger powers.
In the early 1700, there were tactical and strategic positioning and arms races towards the American civil war and revolution, as well as the European napoleon wars. This indicates some reasons for growths, conflicts and even piracy. In fact, pirates were hired like ‘soldiers of fortune’ to pillage and sabotage rivals’ bases, trade and cultures. Therefore, it is understandable that there were unrest, uprisings, and immigrations, since most people were foreign thralls and workers. They probably were not treated as expected and occasionally tempted by rivals’ crews. The ill-reputed Dane Jante culture might have originated at St Jan, - i.e. present St. John. (This culture is often talked through in the previous UU 2014.juli.11, UU 2014.aug.01 and UU 2015.feb.27.) In this relation, the reggae culture and music of 1960 promotes resistance, uprising and drugs. However, the culture is probably far older than the music.
Anyways, - the expression ‘Tordenskjold Pirates’ (Tordenskjolds Pirater) is derived from one of his most reputed cons (confidence tricks) called ‘Tordenskjolds Soldiers’ (Tordenskjolds Soldater). The myth says that he, in order to make an impressive scene, ordered his small number of soldiers to parade in town. However, the soldiers went several rounds and made the illusion that they were far more soldiers than true. It is unknown if this was typical pirate-con in the Caribbean, though. Anyways, the story is quite in the spirit of Holberg’s comedies.
Danes consider Holberg a Dane, but he came from the second Norwegian capital, Bergen. He had clear outsider’s views on Dane culture, which mostly reach through to the Danes as comedies. “Ludvig Holberg, Baron of Holberg (1684 –1754) was a writer, essayist, philosopher, historian and playwright born in Bergen, Norway, during the time of the Dano-Norwegian double monarchy, who spent most of his adult life in Denmark. He was influenced by Humanism, the Enlightenment and the Baroque. Holberg is considered the founder of modern Danish and Norwegian literature, and is best known for the comedies. Holberg's works about natural and common law were widely read by many Danish law students over two hundred years. His rich output of comedies during the middle period was shaped by his role as house dramatist at Denmark's first public theater, opened in Copenhagen in 1721.”
Although never being to the Caribbean, Holberg certainly traveled much and encountered various cultures. The comedy ‘Niels Klim's Underground Travels’ is not amongst the famous, but it is like a utopian version of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. “During the course of the book, Klim vividly chronicles the culture of the Potuans, their religion, their way of life and the many different countries located on Nazar. He is appalled by the fact that men and women are equal and share the same kind of jobs, so he files a suggestion to the Lord of Potu to remove women from higher positions in society. His suggestion is poorly received and he is sentenced to be exiled to the inner rim of the Earth's crust. There he becomes familiar with a country inhabited by sentient monkeys, and after a few years he becomes emperor of the land of Quama, inhabited by the only creatures in the Underworld that look like humans.”
This comedy was probably made in response to traditional attitudes towards genders and races. It probably caused contraversive debates and responses, - even as far away as the Caribbean islands. The issue of women’s equality was far less controversial in Norden than in catholic southern Europe, women had to run the domestic affairs when their men traveled. Consequently, women could be domestically more powerful than men. Such arrangements were settled before Christianity and was partly normalized after the 30 years catholic/protestant war. On the other hand, some other cultures were far more integrated and less hostile toward other races, - and did not call them ‘monkeys’.
Holberg should rather be honored as a philosopher than a comedian, and Tordenskjold should have trained sabre fencing as well as gun fighting. The two, a pen and a sword, might turn out as torches under altered circumstances, like this UU Theme’s meme indicates. Such philosophical metaphors will be a part of the adventures of the remaining seven Tordenkjold Pirates too. They might get some human qualities too, even though labelled outlaws. For ‘outlaw’ is a relative term, - dependent on who’s regime dominate the area at the given time. Focus will also be set on main dilemmas to all the Drives, Wills and Beliefs of the rivaling cultures, laws and ethics. The complex Caribbean situations made it impossible for anyone to practice values of Good, Constructive and Right. Consequently, BGGG Games (Bad Guy Good Guy) seem to be the destined outcome, - as for Captain Morgen who was a pirate to the Spain before he became the governor of Jamaica. (Games are described in UU 2014.sept.12. The 3x3 model and the relation of Belief (B) to Will (W) and Drive (D) is described in UU 2014.dec.19 and UU 2014.sept.12. The Values system GCR (Good/Constructive/Right) is described in UU 2015.mars.06 and UU 2013.mars.15.)
There was no democracy, as we know it, on the Virgin Islands at that time. The majorities were always thralls in the uncivilized colonies and they were under tough territorial rivalries. Consequently, there was unrest and sometimes riots or exoduses. The great varieties of Caribbean music shows this in some common expressions, to their masters, to slow down and relax, - as well as the Reggae certainly promote threats of riots.
Anyhow, the Columbus expedition in 1492, named the Virgin Islands. The reason for such naming could be Catholics’ honor to St. Mary. However, in most cases, eventually, destiny cause loss of such. With today’s hindsight, ‘virginity lost’ is a proper metaphor in so many ways. Even a provincial ships-boy on such an unexpended expeditions could not ever be the same when returned, - neither other adventures, like some Tordenskjold Pirates, - like Monty Python’s Eric the Viking (see extra UU3)
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The Captain Mango drink is associated to cultures of Caribbean music, - a summer drink for Leisure and relaxation. The recipe is simple, - mix white rum, mango juice and ice-cubes, - 1 to 4 for grape-wine ABV and 1 to 10 for beer ABV. Some facts about the mango might inspire. “The mango is a juicy stone fruit (drupe) belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees, cultivated mostly for edible fruit. Mango is used to make juices, smoothies, ice cream, fruit bars, raspados, aguas frescas, pies, and sweet chili sauce, or mixed with chamoy, a sweet and spicy chili paste. It is popular on a stick dipped in hot chili powder and salt or as a main ingredient in fresh fruit combinations. In Central America, mango is either eaten green mixed with salt, vinegar, black pepper, and hot sauce, or ripe in various forms. Toasted and ground pumpkin seed (pepita) with lime and salt are eaten with green mangoes. Fresh mango contains a variety of nutrients, but only vitamin C and folate are in significant amounts. The mango is native to South Asia, from where it has been distributed worldwide to become one of the most cultivated fruits in the tropics. The center of diversity of the Mangifera genus is in India.”
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The Caribbean music genres are diverse. They are each syntheses of African, European, Indian and Indigenous influences, largely created by descendants of African slaves (see Afro-Caribbean music), along with contributions from other communities (such as Indo-Caribbean music). Some of the styles to gain wide popularity outside of the Caribbean include bouyon, cadence-lypso, calypso, compas, jing ping, punta, reggae, reggaeton, soca, and zouk. Caribbean is also related to Central American and South American music. The complex deep origins of Caribbean music are best understood with knowledge of Western Hemisphere colonial immigration patterns, human trafficking patterns, the resulting melting pot of people each of its nations and territories, and thus resulting influx of original musical influences.
These original tunes are composed and recorded by David Lewis Luong, Australia.
Caribbean Island Music Relaxing Happy Hour Instrumental Tropical Beach Songs Study Playlist Reading
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3zOHHQSDNs
Reggae Music and Happy Jamaican Songs of Caribbean:
Relaxing Summer 1 Hour Playlist Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00EufKAY__U
Links:
Ludvig Holberg:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludvig_Holberg
Virgin Islands history and culture:
http://www.virgin-islands-history.dk/eng/vi_hist.asp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_West_Indies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Caribbean_music_genres
Receipts for Advanced Captain Mango drinks
http://www.yummly.com/recipes/mango-alcoholic-drinks
http://allrecipes.com/search/results/?wt=rum%20mango&sort=re
Videos show better the Dan-Nor Caribbean islands than the text in UU
2016.jan.08 “Denmark started colonies on St. Thomas in 1665 and St. John in
1683 (though control of the latter was disputed with Great Britain until
1718), and purchased St. Croix from France in 1733. During the 18th century,
the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea were divided into two territorial
units, one British and the other Dano-Norwegian. The Dano-Norwegian islands
were run by the Danish West India and Guinea Company until 1755, when the
Dano-Norwegian king bought them out.” These provincial Dane-Nor cultures are
almost forgotten since the islands were sold to USA as a conclusion for the
First World War Even though, 350 years of Nordic-Caribbean cultural
heritages do exist on both in Scandinavia and America.”
Visiting US Virgin Islands 2022
https://youtu.be/qaQEJQkGY1s
Reggae originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. Strongly influenced by traditional mento and calypso music, as well as American jazz and rhythm and blues, especially the New Orleans R&B practiced by Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint, and evolved out of the earlier genres ska and rocksteady.
Reggae is noted for its tradition of social criticism in its lyrics, although many reggae songs discuss lighter, more personal subjects, such as love and socializing. Some reggae lyrics attempt to raise the political consciousness of the audience, such as by criticizing materialism, or by informing the listener about controversial subjects such as Apartheid. Many reggae songs promote the use of cannabis considered a sacrament in the Rastafari movement.
Dane Caribbean music is dominated by Reggae music and Christiania culture, where even Bob Marley held a concert in 'Den Grå Hal’. However, the ‘free-state’ Christiania is mostly know for hippie cultures where illegal drugs are sold for a billion kroner annually at the ‘pusher-street’. Despite the peaceful appearance, gangs like Hells Angels appears when the business is in trouble.
Most known Dane reggae artists are Tredie Tilstand, Bass and Trouble, Slo Down and Bliglad, Natasja, Lil' Kaka, Gnags, Blunt, Bikstok Røgsystem and Von Dü.
Dane Reggae playlist - Ufo Yepha feat.
BliGlad & Natasja – Hængekøjen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk36YK8tjUA&list=PL5D6048E54375832F&index=24
Pressure - Virgin Islands Nice - (Jamaican reggae)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54aPmBnAj00
Holberg did not write a comedy about the adventures of Caribbean Virgin Islands. He probably would if one of his journeys went in that direction. However, NFL1 was mentioned in the previous Extra UU 2016.jan.08 and concerns similar expeditions to America before the year 1000. The citation hereunder is about a Dan-nor couple that tries to settle at Greenland, - like a lot probably tried to settle on the Virgin Islands 700 years later. Monty Python has even made a comedy movie about far reaching expeditions of that time, called ‘Eric the Viking’. Wonder if the following NFL chapter could be adapted to Python-like Tordenskjold comedy. Hm.Erik The Viking - Initial scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGrDHI0orKE
Taken from NFL1 – chapter 1.2 ‘Verify’:
“Once back on the farm, Dan went to do his daily routines. At their farm, they had built a main house and a barn. They had several animals like cows, sheep, and chicken. Overall, they were rather wealthy due to the things they brought from Denmark, and what his wife Ann had inherited from Norway. When they decided to leave, they were promised transport to a new land where the sun does not set. They were tempted by such wonderful nature. There were also growing problems at home that they wanted to put behind. True enough; the sun does not set in the summer at Greenland. But in the autumn they noticed that it does not last. In the winter, they realized the sun does not rise at all. That was typical native trick at his overcrowded island, she said. That winter was awfully hard. They almost lost a child to the cold. Ann never forgave that and did certainly not think of going back to his homeland. Loki Island, she called it. Now they had settled and would rather figure out how to manage in this new environment.”
https://skrindodk-public.sharepoint.com/vidargander/nfl/nfl12.htm
