In the 1600s the British arrived to Barbados as indentured servants also immigrated to gain lands they were unable to obtain in Great Britain. Because most of this early labor force arrived from the United Kingdom, and not Africa like most of the Caribbean, the culture was almost wholly British at this time.
This British-based culture was short-lived; after sugarcane was introduced to the island, many land owners came to the realization it was cheaper to work African slaves than British indentured servants, increasing the African population as this group of people soon became the dominant people on the island. Despite this, the British culture was strongly engrained in the people by this point and many of these cultural aspects were passed on to the slaves.
Over time the African population had taken over the majority on the island and there are aspects of African roots in the culture, but the island remains distinctly British in many ways. From an organizational level, and in the way of social projects and programs, the British influence is impossible to miss. The foods, dress, and manners are also distinctly British as is the language. However, African roots are also seen, particularly in music and many foods.
Despite the many similarities with both the United Kingdom and Africa, Barbados maintains its own lifestyle, foods, and traditions which take aspects of both of these cultures. These unique aspects of Barbados primarily come from their location, their weather, and their people, who are rooted in Africa, but heavily influenced by Britain.