Virtual Family “Backyard Jams” during COVID-19

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In the mini ethnography that I did in 2021 I wanted to give some insights into how two families used communications technology and social media in a world not only engulfed in diseases and chaos – more so than typically - but also considering the drastic changes in cultures and communications. In my project I observed that the usual behaviors and practices of togetherness changed greatly. Traditionally, Caribbean peoples were used to ‘liming’ (socializing) or doing other official cultural activities like ‘feteing’ (partying) and J’ouvert (during Carnival), all of which reflect norms and desires for togetherness. But with COVID-19, these norms had to be abandoned in favor of safety. However, through immersion in the online world of Family Chat A and Family Chat B, I came to recognize that these families created a virtual liming center that acted as a substitute for the traditional “backyard jams” from a popular soca music song by Farmer Nappy. 

At these virtual “backyard jams”, the online culture often mirrored the traditional ‘limes’ held by both Family A and B. This virtual liming center was solidified by family participants who said they occasionally shared soca songs in the chat for other members to ‘jam’ to. This virtual “backyard jam,” however, didn’t facilitate the togetherness brewed by the mixing and sharing of drinks in person. Additionally, the constant contact included sharing information about COVID-19 that resulted in anxiety, disrupted sleep habits and even depression for a family member. All in all this experience further facilitated my understanding of the “internet user as an embodied user” (Hine 2020). By forming a virtual “backyard jam,” these two families have exemplified and validated the online world as an arena filled with socially situated beings; extending but forcefully transforming our experience of a “backyard jam” during COVID-19.

---By Chelsea Romilly


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