Year of Graduation

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Major

Psychology

Directing Professor

Dr. Bonnie B. Bowers

Abstract

Social identity theory and acculturation theory expose how cultural practices, such as cuisine, can adapt due to external pressures. In The Bahamas, external pressure from the tourism industry shapes many aspects of public life, by analyzing menus we can see how cultural identity resists or succumbs to change. This study examined how Bahamian cuisine is represented on restaurant menus in Nassau, New Providence amid a dominating tourism industry. Using a stratified random sample of 30 restaurants, 1,155 menu items were coded for cultural origin, cultural language use, promotional features, as well as pricing. The results show that international dishes appear more frequently, regardless of the target audience. However, the proportion of Bahamian dishes did not differ between tourism-oriented and local-oriented restaurants. Cultural language was also strikingly higher for Bahamian items, and their pricing was equivalent to that of the international dishes. Furthermore, Bahamian dishes received slightly more promotional emphasis, which suggests cultural integration rather than commodification. These findings indicate that despite the tourism industry’s influence, Bahamian cuisine remains a priority and is protected in both language and presentation, reflecting ongoing efforts toward cultural preservation within a highly globalized food market.

Download

Share

COinS