Creole Heartbeat Issue #2 December 2020 by creoleheartbeat

EC$20.00 | US$7.99

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DEAR READERS Creole Heartbeat is a creole magazine geared toward bridging the gap; forging and strengthening the relationship with our international creole fraternity. It is a platform for cultural exchange between Dominica and the French Antilles of Martinique and Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Haiti, Louisiana, Seychelles, Indian Ocean and the African Continent. We will also be looking at cultural exchange from the various Francophonie Territories by liaising with the Cultural Departments in these territories. Our vision is delivering a product in both English and Creole to meet the needs of our partners in the Francophonie world. It will highlight artists of the creole music genre and what is trending in the cultural industries, the challenges and the triumphs. The vision is to also include television and radio platforms to complement our social media outreach. The intention is to make Creole Heartbeat the cultural mouthpiece of the Caribbean with an attempt to forge what makes us unique as a people. Though this is just the beginning, we would like to see Creole Heartbeat become an International Platform for artists and musicians alike; exposing the Creole Culture and all aspects of Cultural Industries from music, dance, creative art, theatre, as well incorporating sports and tourism.

Leroy “Prince Wadix” Charles

SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING Sa Kai Malade Karaibe Ltd. Gachette’s Building Kennedy Ave. Roseau Dominica 767.616.3457 creoleheartbeat@gmail.com princewadix@gmail.com

OWNER Leroy Wadix Charles PUBLISHER & EDITOR Sa Kai Malade Karaibe Ltd. PROOF READER J’aime M. La Touche PUBLISHED BY Sa Kai Malade Karaibe Ltd. DESIGN & PRODUCTION Sa Kai Malade Karaibe Ltd.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alix Boyd Knights | Jeno Jacob Gordon Henderson | Dr. Irving Andre Cornell Phillip | Ian Jackson Shelly Alfred | Gregory Rabess Marva Williams | Leroy Wadix Charles Millia Joseph Denis | Leon Sebastian Ezra Winston | DFA DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cornell Phillip, Sheldon Alfred, Dominica Festival Facebook page Discover Dominica Facebook page DJ Snow, DJ Sleem, DJ Smoove, Dr. Miguel Labadie, Danejah Dane DJ Median, Alyan Christopher

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DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS Val Ferry Offices (Roseau & Portsmouth) Jay’s Book Store - Roseau Miss Bay Shop - Grandbay Mega Deals - Calibishie Caribbean Flavor Cuisine - Wesley Paben Serrant Florida Allyne’s Variety Shop - St. Croix Kubuli Lady - St. Thomas Naomi Green - Guadeloupe

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF CREOLE HEARTBEAT Sa Kai Malade Karaibe Ltd. Gachetteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Building Kennedy Ave. Roseau Dominica 767.616.3457 creoleheartbeat@gmail.com princewadix@gmail.com Follow Creole Heartbeat on:

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Prince Wadix Mixes

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CONTENTS 7

CARLYN XPLICIOUS

SHELLY

14 17

HIKING IN DOMINICA

TRENSCENDS BOUNDARIES DURING COVID 19 by Cornell Phillip

One on One with Ibrahim Brohim

NAFTANOON FELIX 46 Poem by Ian Jackson

The Musical Designer

FELIX HENDERSON 48

THE CREOLE ROOTS OF CALYPSO

& DOMINICA’S CREOLE HERITAGE by Dr. Irving Andre

by Gordon Henderson

KALINAGO KWEYOL CONNECTION

CAN’T HAVE KAISO COMPETITION VIA ZOOM

by Gregory Rabess

by Ian Jackson

WHAT DOES THE WORD CREOLE 57 MEAN TO YOU?

REFLECTION

By Marva Williams,

by Gordon Henderson

20 DJ HIGHLIGHT - DJ SNOW

KWEYOL AN DANJE? by Gregory Rabess

22 DJ TOP 10 LIST - DOMINICA 24

CREOLE LANGUAGE TIPS

PHILLIP ‘CHUBBY’ MARK

PART 1 & 2 by Gordon Henderson

A LIVING LEGEND by Ian Jackson

FRENCH ANTILLES ROUND UP 62

27 CREOLE KITCHEN

NO CHANTE, NO “CARNIVAL” FOR MARTINIQUE by Esra Wilson

by Alix Boyd Knights

GIRAUDEL

NEW MUSIC FEATURE

DOMINICA FLOWER BASKET By Leroy “Wadix” Charles

COLTON T BLACK BEAUTY

THE SEWINAL TRADITION by Gregory Rabess

BANN AKAYO

MY REAL PAPA NWEL

CENTENARIANS CELEBRATION

RE VISITED

CARNIVAL AND A POSSIBLE DATE CHANGE by Ian Jackson

WINNERS OF PRINCE WADIX 68 CREOLE FAN CLUB DRAW

by Jeno J. Jacob

PROMEX HARLEM UNITED DFA KNOCKOUT RECOVERY CUP 70 -5-

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Trenscends Boundaries during Covid 19 by Cornell Phillip

Carlyn XPlicious

arlyn Xavier-Phillip professionally known as Carlyn XP from the small village of Giraudel in Dominica was born on March 30th, 1987 to Sylvester Xavier and Adeline Austrie. While attending the Giraudel Government Primary School and being a member of the 4H Club, Carlyn was always very talented. She loved dancing and singing as a child and was part of the village dance group Sensational Dancing Queens and the schools Belè dance group where they performed Dominica’s traditional dances. She also was a member of the church choir where she laments her interests in singing started. Carlyn then attended the St. Martin’s Secondary School where she took part in the Miss Jupe SMSS pageant when she emerged 2nd runner-up. She, along with two other students came 2nd place in the Kairi FM Inter-schools Mathematics Competition.Carlyn furthered her studies at the Dominica State College where she did an Associates Degree in French. Two years later Carlyn was finally of age to enroll in the Nursing program where she obtained an Associates Degree in General Nursing and became a Certified Registered Nurse with the General Nursing Counsel of Dominica. While pursuing her nursing studies, Carlyn ventured deeper into her hobby of singing. In 2007 she joined the Energy Band as female lead vocalist recording her first single. Two years later she joined the reggae group Caribbean Vibes and in 2010 joined Fanatik. This is when she really started to develop herself not only as a singer but an all round performer. Carlyn sang on Fanatik’s only album and numerous singles. It was during this time that she and husband Cornell ‘Fingaz’ Phillip, one of the creators of Bouyon Music and co-founder of the band WCK, formed a dynamic duo, C Square, which was targeted at the smaller more intimate events like the hotels, happy hour, birthdays, weddings and official Government events. A move that definitely broadened her artistry and performance skills. Carlyn was even more active in the business where she did one off support singing rolls for many events like Mas Camp and Stardom Calypso Tents as well as countless talent shows/competitions. To date Carlyn has sang backup and collaborated with many artists the likes of the late Jeff Joe of Grammacks, Michele Henderson, Gordon Henderson (Exile One), Ophelia, The original Bouyon Pioneers

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(Original WCK), Timaya, Duane Stevenson, Tanya Stephens, Luciano, Farmer Nappy and many others. Besides touring as support staff with many artists Carlyn XP has also done solo tours to the French Caribbean, The United States, Europe and Asia. In 2010 Carlyn took part in the Dominica Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competitions winning with a song titled Music Fever and placing 1st runner up with a song Like A Fanatik respectively. 2012 was the year she took part in the first NCCU Cadence Lypso Competition placing first runner up with a song titled C’est Pas Fault Moi. She also took part the following year with a song titled Back Biters but was unable to capture a spot in the top four positions. This song really showcased Carlyn’s versatility and creativity. A cadence beat, a vintage calypso chord progression and English lyrics riding on an infectious melody. Because of this, critics were baffled wondering if the composition was off the Cadence Lypso or Bouyon Genre. During Dominica’s 2016 carnival celebrations in February, Carlyn decided to take part in the first ever Bouyon Monarch Competition and emerged winner with the song Bouyon Wuk ahead of nine other competitors. The same title was won the following year with Bouyon Calling and, to this day, Carlyn XP remains the undisputed Bouyon Monarch and has earned the rightful title of “De Bouyon Queen”. She represented Dominica in the winner take all Arrow Regional Soca Monarch in Montserrat in 2017 performing Shake Me Bambalam and Soca Criminal. In 2018 Carlyn took part in the Domfesta Song Competition hosted by The Dominica Cultural Devision and placed 1st runner up with a song titled Raise Your Flags. Since then this song has become a staple during Dominica’s independence celebrations. Working full-time at the Princess Margaret Hospital, pursuing a career in the music business and being a wife with a daughter started to take it’s toll and there came a time when some hard decisions needed to be made. In 2015 Carlyn made that decision of resigning at the hospital putting all her professional energies into her music. A gutsy move which proved fruitful almost immediately. It was during this time that the Carlyn XP brand took flight. People started to take notice of this dynamic, vibrant, female vocalist not forgetting that she’sf

amazing beautiful and well figured. Ever since, Carlyn XP has been very consistent at releasing new music with videos to compliment them. Carlyn has also hosted her own events such as The Carlyn XP Showcase held July 19th, 2018 and February 11th, 2020. Carlyn has since done something truly remarkable inspired by the global lockdown caused by the dreaded Covid-19 Pandemic. On Sunday April 5th, 2020, going out of their minds with nothing to do, Carlyn and Cornell decided do a one time live performance on Facebook with the intention to sensitize their friends, family, and Carlyn XP fans of the importance of proper health protocols and to decimate relevant information on behalf of the Dominica Covid-19 Task Force. A dear hearted initiative they never thought would have impacted so positively on so many lives. The overwhelming gratitude expressed by the viewers on that day was enough that Carlyn would continue this initiative. 33 live performances later, at the time of this article, there is no end in sight for “Musical Therapy with Carlyn XP”. Carlyn has not only showed her talents through her singing and performing skills but also her creativity in the development of the now staple Sunday event. “I am not sure what came first”, she says, “not sure if it was the addition of the theme or the zoom elements”. Carlyn has been very crafty in having a different theme every Sunday. Notable of these themes was Vol. 17 “#FYMF (For You My Fans) The Concert” held on Sunday April 26, 2020. Carlyn invited a few of her close friends and fans to a small concert event with full stage, lights, live band and was streamed on all her social media platforms. Another is Vol. 26 “Miami Carnival”, Sunday October 11th, 2020 where the spirit of Miami Carnival was in full display. Themed tshirts were sold online prior to the event and all proceeds after expenses were distributed to schools around Dominica through school accessories. Most intimate is the integration of her fan base which she affectionally calls her “Bouyon Army” through live interaction on the show itself through Zoom. It is said that Carlyn XP has the best Zoomers as they make it a point of duty to participate wholeheartedly showcasing their outfits as it pertains to the theme of the day. “My XPlicious Zoomers are always on point” she chuckles. Carlyn also saw it fitting to invite fellow performers creating an avenue for reaching out to their individual audiences and sharing in the fun experience. She has truly embraced the opportunity to fill the void created by the cancellation of all major events since the pandemic. An undertaking very much appreciated by Dominicans and viewers the world over. What’s amazing is that Carlyn decided to do all this totally free of charge giving her Bouyon Army the opportunity to donate if they please. As she affectionately put’s it, “anything is anything, I love you all the same”. De Bouyon Queen has always been one with a humble and gentle heart and as such is known for giving back. The Giraudel Government Primary School, The Dominica Infirmary, The Convent High School, single mothers, are just some of the recipients of her generosity. She has also received her share of mentions, accolades and awards, most notable Special Recognition Award from

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the Dominica Cultural Devision, 2020, Outstanding Contribution During The Pandemic In The Area Of Music And Culture Award from Rotary Club Of Luton Someries and International Orators, 2020, and FYMTQ (For You My Therapy Queen) Award presented by The Sign Man, 2020. It should also be mentioned that during her 7 year tenure on the Dawbiney Ward at the Princess Magaret Hospital, she received a nursing award for outstanding performance. Carlyn XP, singer, song writer, and performer is now one of Dominica’s most acclaimed and entertaining female artists. She has dominated the stage as a premier exponent of Bouyon music. The boundless and exciting energy with which she lights up her stage has become her hallmark and she never fails to enthrall her captivated audiences. Carlyn XP is a versatile performer, as comfortable singing Reggae, Dancehall, Cadence Lypso, hip hop and R&B as she is singing Bouyon and Soca. Through her many experiences, She knows what it takes to entertain and does it to the highest standards. Being the entrepreneur, Carlyn recently launched her clothing line “XPlicious Clothing” which includes some very attractive active wear with graphic designs expressing her song titles and famous phrases “Bouyon Army”, “Oh My Word”, “I Wasn’t Ready”, “Doh Stress Me Out”, and “keep it XPlicious” (a word she created to express anything uniquely positive). She also hosts her own talk show “keeping it XPlicious” which is live streamed every Thursday night at 7 on all her social media platforms. This lady of many talents, besides being a Certified Registered Nurse and mother of a beautiful daughter Chiara, is a master domino player and holds the title “Queen of Domino“, a title she acquired when she took part in the World Domino Championship in St. Lucia in 2010. There is no end in sight for Carlyn XP. She feels that she has only scratched the surface of the many ventures in her creative mind for future endeavors. Follow Carlyn Xp on: Website | https://carlynxp.com YouTube | https://youtube.com/c/carlynxp Facebook | https://facebook.com/carlynxp767 Instagram https://instagram.com/carlyn_xp Streaming/Download | http://smarturl.it/carlynxp XPlicious Clothing | https://shop.carlynxp.com

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SHELLY

The Musical Designer by Sheldon “Shelly” Alfred

The Caribbean has seen many of its child stars grow into regional and international icons with the likes of Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts, Kerwin Du Bois and many more – all with careers entrenched in the Junior Calypso competitions of their respective islands. On Dominican soil, this pattern is apparent in the life of Sheldon “Shelly” Alfred - artiste, songwriter, musician, and designer. Shelly was destined for stardom when he was born on September 1, 1995 in Goodwill. At the tender age of eleven, he developed the courage to participate in the Saint Mary’s Primary School 2006 calypso competition as De Professor having had no prior musical aspiration beyond the school’s non-negotiable learning of the recorder. He performed Give de Youth a Break, a song written by his fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Catherine Harris, and placed second; this spurred him to venture into the Junior Calypso Monarch competition. He transitioned to the Saint Mary’s Academy where he partnered with teacher and renowned songwriter, Ian Jackson – a partnership which led him to three (3) consecutive crowns in 2009 - 2011 with songs Paros Everywhere, Vacancy, and My Exposition respectively. By 2015, Shelly had advanced to the National Calypso Monarch as one of the competition’s youngest finalists with his songs entitled God of Calypso Kingdom and Good Professor both written by Pellam Jno Baptiste. He was crowned Stardom King of the Tent 2015. In 2016, he did not take part in the competition; however, he wrote and released Dominican Houses which was one of the more popular calypsos of that year. Concurrent with his singing, Shelly pursued summer guitar lessons with Mr. Tyson Johnson and then Mr. Diane Charles. Additionally, he informally produced and performed music when he would routinely meet with his peers on the veranda of his childhood home in Goodwill, drumming on his grandmother’s table and chanting along. In the summer of 2010, Shelly and his friends were approached by a school friend who secured them a band house and suggested other musicians who could join them to form a band. The band was subsequently named the Signal Band by Bouyon Artiste and then

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member of WCK, Nayee. As one of the founding members, Shelly has evolved from his roles as rhythm guitarist and band leader to being the group’s leading vocal figure. Additionally, Shelly has been featured as guitarist for Triple Kay International for three (3) years and Gordon Henderson & Exile One for a few shows. In his teenage years, he had great enthusiasm for drum machine programming and has produced approximately twenty (20) drum machine beats for Triple Kay, four (4) song productions for Asa Bantan, and has worked with many other artists and DJs in the producer capacity. Shelly values these collaborations as he views them as lessons of the many do’s and don’ts of the music industry. He believes experience is the greatest teacher and attests much of his learning of the business of music to working and conversing with cultural icon, Gordon Henderson. Shelly’s transition from calypso singer to bouyon artiste was not clear-cut as he still respectfully owes his roots to calypso; however, the shift came with the realization of the opportunity for bouyon to utilize the talent of trained songwriters and musicians like himself on its quest for internationalization. He dubs his style of composition as “Bouyon Love” and asserts that this love is one of many layers; it is love of community, love of country, love of self, love of music, and of course, the love of romance. Shelly designs his music through these lenses, and as part of his creative process, he is always open to adjusting or retaining the tempo and mood based on the form of love being expressed and its respective formula for triggering emotion from the consumer. Shelly’s most successful singles to date, Ani Ba Yo Love, Local, and Baby Come Back, are true testaments to the passion and craft that goes into his songwriting and composing. His more recent releases, Inside and Happy Place, have also received much media traction for their diligent design. Over the years, he has written songs for various artistes, collaborated with regional artists such as Marvay (Barbados), Riddla (Guadeloupe) and local ones such as the Original Bouyon Pioneers (formally WCK), Mr. Benji N2o, Tazzy, King Dice, ShadowFlow, and many more artistes and musicians. Locally, Shelly has been recognized for his stellar contributions to the music industry. In 2015, he was awarded Dominica’s Outstanding Youth in Music at the National Youth Awards. Five years later, he was awarded The Young Artiste 2020 Award by the Cultural Division and National Cultural Council during Dominica’s 42nd Celebration of Independence. Parallel to his professional music career, Shelly also takes keen interest in the intersection of music and architectural design. On this basis, he wishes to be labeled a Musical Designer. His curiosity for architectural design was triggered at Saint Mary’s Academy in a Building Technology class. That interest propelled him to attain an Associate Degree in Architecture from the Dominica State College, where he graduated with honors and as the top student of the Faculty of Applied Arts and Technology of the graduating class. By that time, Shelly had begun to analyze parallels between his activities at day (architecture) and those at night (music). He went on to attain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture and Environmental Design from Morgan State University, where he was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal which recognizes graduating architecture students for their leadership and service and potential contribution to the future of the profession. He was also awarded for design excellence and was the overall top student of the University’s 2017 graduating class. Following Shelly’s graduation in 2017, he decided to pursue a master’s degree and applied to Virginia Tech, Savannah College of Art and Design, and chose to press his luck on two Ivy League universities: Harvard and Yale. Being accepted to all these universities, he ceased any belief in luck and has accepted that his extraordinary performance is responsible for his attainment of these accomplishments and future ones. Shelly is currently pursuing a three and a half (3.5) year Master in Architecture degree at America’s number one ranking Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Outside of the music and design studios, Shelly spends his time watching motivational content and reading. He believes the knowledge and experiences gained outside of the two arts are sufficient to shape his goal of pursuing a lifestyle of creating and composing work that is palatable to diverse audiences. When asked how he manages to balance his professional music career and his design education, Shelly denounces the idea of “balance” and professes that he is one being who is wholeheartedly devoted to both arts.

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THE CREOLE ROOTS OF CALYPSO By Gordon Henderson

“Search engines on the Internet will provide a bi-polar message saying Calypso music is from Trinidad and Tobago but originated from the former French Caribbean Colonies.” Search engines on the Internet will provide a bi-polar message saying Calypso music is from Trinidad and Tobago but originated from the former French Caribbean Colonies. Trinidad and Tobago did transform that imported artistic expression from a plantation “pastime” to an organized form of artistic value, however every input should be recognized. The Creole roots should never be overlooked. The Creole language spoken in St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Haiti, Guadeloupe, and a few other islands accompany other traditional and cultural remnants of the dark days of slavery and colonialization. The island of Martinique, today a French Overseas Department will be used to illustrate how and when what is known today as Calypso music began and how it was developed and transformed over the centuries. In 1685 King Louis XIV of France proclaimed “the black Code”, which gave French planters in the colonies the right to purchase Africans from across the Atlantic Ocean to enslave them as workers on their plantations in the Caribbean. This went on for about two hundred years: sufficient time to develop a new identity and culture. Calypso music is one of the results of this uprooting. There has been much debate about the ever changing definition of the word “Creole” but for the purpose of argument, we have chosen to call the result of this new culture born of the input of both the Europeans and the Africans: Creole. Of course, the indigenous peoples did contribute as well as others who joined as time went on since culture is a dynamic process. Both the Europeans and the enslaved Africans occupied a foreign land and inevitably brought across whatever traditions and lifestyles they had from their native lands and often were forced to improvise. Within the context of music, what did each party bring? The European input: The European here is the French who arrived with his form of entertainment which featured the biggest annual event called the “carnaval” (carnival) which was celebrated in those days mainly by those hailing from the south of France bordering Italy where “carnevale/

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carnevalo” was a major religious feast of abundant excess including drinking and eating of meat (carne) during the weeks preceding the forty days of the Catholic Lenten season when fasting and other sacrifices were exercised. The word “bacchanal” was often used in reference to Bacchus the Roman god of wine. The festivities consisted of elaborate costumes and ballroom dances (masquerade balls) with masked attendees. It was a period of mockery and satire meant to ridicule authority thus the masks and songs were accordingly composed for the occasion. The African input: Africans from the same tribes were not sold to the same plantations as a method of slowing the communication process so they could not plot escapes or other forms of resistance. Their music, essentially chant and drums was common with all tribes. As a new language developed slowly combining French words with a few of whatever words they retained, similarly a new music was developed. The singers were called “griots” (pronounced gree-yo) and later chantwel. The topics varied from news, history, rumor, praise, lament, and satire which married nicely with the masked carnival activities of the slave master. Obviously, Africans who were captives were not allowed to travel from Africa with some of the more sophisticated African musical instruments

such as the “kora” or the “sanza” which were around in the 16th century. Drums such as the “Gwo-Ka” had to be recreated from memory in the Caribbean. African drums such as the “djembe” made an appearance in the Caribbean only in relatively recent times. The griots of the Gambia for example were known to be storytellers, historians among other skills using percussion and string instruments. Music on the plantation was therefore drumming and other percussion accompanied by voices and whatever influences the slave adopted from the master. For about two hundred years the music and the language grew into a unique identity. The language was at first referred to as “patois” and historians and ethnomusicologists offer unclear indications for a name of the music. Some claim that the griots called it Kaiso or some similar sounding word, but there is little or no evidence of any kaiso on the African continent. The genre called Hylife from West Africa expresses much similarity so much the Mighty Sparrow was hailed a tribal king in that region. Be that it may, in May 1789, a major uprising known as the French Revolution started in France in which some 17,000 people were guillotined (beheaded) including King Louis XIV and Queen Marie Antoinette who were executed. These events made Martiniquan planters known as the “békés” to flee the colony towards Trinidad with their slaves and immediately started plantations of sugar and cocoa. This is how the music arrived in Trinidad. Trinidad at its closest point is a mere 6.8 miles (11 kilometers) from Venezuela. Importantly, Trinidad as the name suggests in the late seventeen-hundreds was a part a “new intendancy” which included Guiana Province, Maracaibo, Santo Domingo. This is when and where the Spanish acoustic guitar was introduced to the music which up to this point in time was sung in the Creole language, the idiom of the new immigrants. Another important feature inherited from the griots by then called chantwell was every “song” carried the same melody but with different lyrics which of course were often composed on the spot (extemporaneously) because of the oral nature of Creole in general which up to this day is struggling to become a written language. Calypso in Trinidad was regarded as an expression of the lower class. It was not until 1939 that Trinidad and Tobago saw its first formal Calypso competition. This coincided with the invention of the “steel pan”. The Calypso, the steel pan, the input of the French Catholic planters, the slaves and free blacks all the masquerade balls which began at Christmas as “farewell to the flesh” all contributed in making the carnival of Trinidad being way ahead of the other Caribbean islands. Before 1939, however, the emancipation of slavery in 1834 for some 1838 for others, carnival had become a mixture of all it stood for plus a massive celebration of freedom. The very islands from where what became Calypso was originated, Martinique, St. Lucia, Dominica, Guadeloupe welcomed the Trinidad “improvements” with open arms. Trinidad became the model of the entire region. The Jamaican form of Calypso called Mento was somewhat eclipsed in the 1950s by Ska and other forms by new generations who changed the names as time went on. Trinidad kept the Calypso routine until the seventies when a new variation called Soca showed its face. Interestingly, the most famous Soca song of the transition period returned to roots by having the chorus line in the Creole language. Although Dominica has always embraced the Trinidad brand of Calypso by emulating everything from the musical structures of songs, the organization of the competitions even by adopting the unfounded system of judging which attributes seventy points over one hundred to the singer and ignoring the owners of the song (songwriter/composer) paying no attention to copyright or any notion of the modern music industry. Despite clinging to the Trinidad 1930s model so tenaciously, some Dominican Calypso writers have routinely included Creole lyrics over the years. It was in the early 1970s that a few Dominican musicians (Exile One) aroused the curiosity of their fellow musical compatriots when they convincingly brought back significant aspects of Creole back to Calypso dubbing it “Cadence-Lypso”. The synthesis was magical. It aroused the deep interest of intrinsically Creole speaking islands from Haiti across the region, it influenced Trinidad to shift from the 1930 model and produced scores of Dominican bands and singers such as the Grammacks, Ophelia, Liquid Ice, Midnight Groovers, Belles Combo, Billomen and many more to follow the set path. When art enters the realm of trends, it is often cyclical. Calypso has returned to its roots.

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TRIVIA? Seboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Almanac

by: Lockhart Sebastien

MODĂ&#x2030; LANG

Can you guess the CREOLE words for the following?

1. In 1971 Dominica won for the first time the Poham Cup the symbol of football supremacy in the Windward Island at the time. Name the coach captain and vice captain of that team. 2. Name a goal keeper who did not concede a single gaol in an entire season.

Apron

3. Name the first Dominican footballer professional football in North America.

Towel

4. What was the age of Fancine Harris when she first played for Dominica in netball.

Rag Mat Cloth Soak Wet Wash Wipe Soap By Millia Joseph Denis

play

5. Name three of the foremost pioneers of netball in Dominica. 6. Who was the first Domincan player to receive a basketball scholarship to the USA? 7. Two Dominicans have made double centuries in first class cricket. Who are they? 8. The Combined Islands beat Guyana at the Botanic Gardens in the Shell Shield Regional Tournament in 1971. Who was the manager of the Combined Islands team fo that cricket match? 9. Three National Cricket Captains come from the village of Colihaut. Can you name them? 10. A Dominican made the highest score in a Windward Island Inter Island Cricket match. Who was that player and how many runs did he score?

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Can’t Have Kaiso Competition via

This is how we know ‘kaiso is big man ting’ as it takes a ‘man’ to maintain composure to render and treat all the criteria required in such a way that it pleases the fans; not hidden behind a camera rendering a song to people at their homes, far away from the staged activity and not relatable in any physical sense.

by Ian Jackson You can use zoom for conferences, meetings, to conduct classes, even other competitions but you cannot have Zoom for Kaiso Competitions based on the normal judging format. Firstly, the playing field would have to be reworked and readjusted for any judgement to be passed. Queen shows have several segments; each with only one aspect to be judged - talent, speech, evening wear, best costume, best in costume and so on. However, when a calypsonian appears once for 6-10 minutes on stage, he is judged simultaneously on lyrics, melody, presentation and rendition. It certainly does not stop there since each heading consists of about ten subheadings cumulatively to include diction, clarity, use of stage, presentation and most importantly the hidden points allotted for crowd response in such a short period of time. It is an all-inclusive art form and cannot be segmented; this is what causes the difficulty to judge. The calypsonian is the calypso. The latter is not on the physical score sheet but you cannot be a success without the positive feedback of a collective audience which would allow judges to gage how your song resonates with people at the specific time of delivery. You can have the best lyrics and melody but you cannot and will not be crowned if everyone goes to the bar while you perform on stage no matter what the criterion states. Secondly, the current King Jaydee will be defending a title in a new uncharted playing field having beaten nine others using a different criterion. Yes a different criterion must be used as I previously explained above. Under the circumstance, it would have to be down-graded to a calypso song contest rather than a calypso competition. We all know there is a skill and temperament which calypso dictates on the big night. Some calypsonians are great semi-finalists but are just unable to handle the pressures of the finals. The crowd makes them a nervous wreck, they forget lines, go off key and fail to communicate with the audience. They are good recording artists, but not one for the big night. Conversely there are those who feed off the crowd and fans and if you put them in an environment where they cannot connect, for example via social media their performance will not measure up.

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Thirdly how is the DFC going to get its income which is heavily dependent on gate receipts? The economy does not suggest that apart from the usual telecoms organizations, that much else will come on board or at least providing sufficient numbers to pay the calypsonians and the bands. Advertising et al runs in the region of over 100k every year. The only cost which will be exempt to a large extent will be security but a venue is still needed. It is also not possible to limit ticket sales to fans as this is not merely a show, but a tradition. There are diehards who can only purchase tickets at the final moment, but they have never missed a show and have been perennial loyalist, while another who may have ready cash may purchase early and may not necessarily be a big fan. Calypso is not just about the calypsonian as is the WCMF or some other event. There are faces that you see at every show for decades, characters having their moments off stage annually, fans who hold on to their calypso base until death! – It is tantamount to a way of life, tent after tent, event after event. Unless something dramatic happens re this pandemic, King Jaydee may be the only calypsonian in history to reign as monarch for two years without a defense of his title. To ask him to do a ‘zoom’ defense of his title is equivalent to defending a test cricket title where the overs are reduced to three balls each. This is not the same game or the playing field that calypso deserves. So, probably we can just have a calypso zoom showcase via social media, because one year off from competition will not kill anyone and Sour-Sour will still enjoy his life.

Who would have thought that our 2020 New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolutions would be twisted and redirected because of a Global Pandemic?

! N O I T C E L REF

by Marva Williams Festival and Events Manager, Discover Dominica Authority

For the past months we have been put to the test because of COVID-19. Every aspect of our livelihood has had to be readjusted to suit the current conditions or changed drastically in order that we maintain a balance in what used to be considered, normal. Indeed, we are grateful having been able, unlike many other Caribbean islands, to host our Carnival celebrations. We delivered a calendar of events that featured both contemporary and traditional Dominica Carnival displays that was loved by locals and visitors alike. The DFC introduced the first ever Carnival Friday Bouyon event dubbed SunRise with our very own Bouyon Boss and Wete Fete King, Ambassador Asa Edwards as the face. It was quite remarkable, as patrons flocked

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the Windsor Park Stadium to enjoy Dominica’s top bands and DJs. 2020 would have seen a newly developed Calendar of Events for Dominica, with plans of developing established local events into signature products and introducing new ones that would add to DDA’s goals. COVID-19 in many ways has unprecedently impacted society and many of the industries we are familiar with like tourism, aviation, trade, and even real estate. More so, a familiar feature to us, the novel coronavirus has impacted the entertainment industry to include music and film, in most of the regions like the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The disease has dimmed the light of live entertainment as measures for public safety must be paramount to mitigate the risk of spreading the disease. Many entertainers have recognized their social responsibility and turned to the development of public campaigns that would ensure safety of their family, friends, and fans in Dominica and abroad. Artists still feeling that their purpose is to bring people together have had to become more creative, exerting strategic thinking in this uncertain time. Creative companies and individuals themselves have reached out to audiences either through collaborating at a distance or initiating live streamed events and impromptu performances through platforms such as Zoom, Facebook and Instagram. A few examples include, Carlyn XP with her weekly ‘Musical Therapy with Carlyn XP’ edition, TK International with their live ‘Reboot Online Concert’ edition, Signal with ‘Inside Outside’ edition and Extasy Band with their ‘Kompa Direc’ edition. Top local DJs have actively stayed in touch with their fans through the online medium. Entertainers and event planners are being encouraged to help flatten the curve in relation to COVID-19 with restrictions imposed on Mass gathering activities. This is an important step as we go through the initial stages of the ‘new normal’ though strenuous on the industry and stakeholders. No one really knows what the other side of this new reality will look like as the global economy is entering a stage of unparalleled obscurity. How long social distancing restrictions will keep people from thoroughly enjoying events is unknown, as audiences’ post-COVID-19 appetite for live events and entertainment elevates. If you are a gigging musician, chances are you are hurting right now. You have encountered a tsunami of cancellations that was not foreseen with no uncertainty as to what the future holds. There is no doubt that the future is changing drastically and the way we do events will have to fall inline. From pushing online ticket sales, to making live streaming and virtual components part of the event look and feel to ensuring a healthy audience. Until the industry can turn the lights back on, stakeholders should follow strict crisis response strategies that encourage the safety of all.

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DJ SNOW DJ Snow is a DJ/musician who loves music generally and believes that music can turn a bad day into a good one by using music to speak to the masses. I was born and raised in Dominica in the community of Newtown with my father but also spent time in the village of Giraudel with my mother. I began at the tender age of 12 and was inspired by my uncle and his friend who was also a DJ. Seeing their performances live was the boost I needed. I have been a professional DJ for just about 20 years, being a part of almost all major events in Dominica to include the World Creole Music Festival. I have also done a few DJing jobs overseas. My favourite genres include reggae, soca, zouk, bouyon and dancehall; which are pretty much all or most, because every one of them has their way of providing enjoyment to listeners. COVID-19 has mainly affected my income because I am now unable to work – “no gigs mean no money coming in”. Also, certain international events as well as regional events which I had booked were dismissed. These events were the ones I truly believed were going to take me to the world. However, all things considered, I am still thankful and I will continue doing my best. I want to leave his mark; where people will say this DJ was one of the few who were versatile. I know how to provide enjoyment to all age groups in a party all at once. In any event, once my name is mentioned the people feel that I am the only DJ they want to hear play music continuously! Once u think of a versatile DJ, you think of this DJ from Dominica - DJ Snow!

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HIGHLIGHT

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There is no other artist that has impacted the common man more than Phillip ‘Chubby’ Mark of Grand bay. I would extend this by saying that the three greatest lyricists to ever come from the English speaking Caribbean are Bob Marley, Sparrow and Chubby of Dominica from the Francophone world.

Phillip ‘Chubby’ Mark A living Legend by Ian Jackson

I totally respect Gordon Henderson as a lyricist and singer of his own material or the pen of Pat Aaron or the stage performances of the late Jeff Joseph but Chubby stands alone for longevity. He is the most prolific composer from the calypso classic ‘Ma Doe Suck It To Me’ to his cadence genius dealing with a range of themes about ingratitude, immorality, religion, oppression and the law, the economy, international topics as tribute to Nelson Mandela and in an instructive and satirical manner about the herb, Rasta, police brutality, ungratefulness, one’s hair, milk, honey, Anita and sexual immorality, a return to one’s roots, rum and ganja, brazzers, shoe heels and even a comical twist on the human anatomy ‘gro tay tay’ or ‘Freedom street lagoon’. What diversity in political and social commentary despite formal limitations? Frankly, Chubby is the equivalent of Bob Marley in the OECS and I do not hesitate in making this bold statement. There is no subject be it repatriation to standing up for what is right or issues of love that has not been dealt with and over a longer period than Bob. The latter died at 36, Chubby while has been performing and producing for over half a century - 50 years – nonstop. Apart from his plethora of Cadence hits, he has composed dozens of wonderful reggae numbers that have remained gems for decades. There are a few reasons why Chubby has not gotten the recognition deserved or has not enjoyed the financial equivalence of his immense talent with words. Two of these reasons being that many still struggle with the Creole language and he was never blessed with a Chris Blackwell as Marley was to invest in his unbridled talent and elevate him to fame. Though many may advance that he has contributed to his own stagnation much

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the same as was attributed to Jamaica’s Peter Tosh; uncompromising with his rasta beliefs and at times difficult and more reclusive than Nasio Fontaine. However, the Chubby I have come to know today has matured after just about three scores and ten, and is a very affable individual who has long elevated from the ‘Dread’ experimentation of the 70s and early 80s, into a devout Rastaman who recognizes that music is also business. Just as Bob could not do without the musical genius of Aston Barrett on Bass or music arranger keyboardist Lindo Wiry Downy, Chubby’s music is driven by the infectious rhythm of his brother Marcel ‘Coe’ Mark on guitar and keys. He too is a genius of sorts as it is almost inconceivable how a self-taught musician could come up with such melodies and unique indelible finger styled arrangements in the signature 3 to 4 chord patterns of Midnite Groovers Roots Cadence. Chubby himself played live bass or drums on most of the Midnite Groover recordings. It was just he and his brother at Debs studios in Guadeloupe, sometimes with native Pierre Labourne, Saxophonist extraordinaire, a session musician who has also worked with Exile One and many groups from all over the francophone world. Chubby can recall those days when he just was satisfied getting the message out while the owner of the said studios lined their pockets only providing the brothers with a few records for themselves to sell. It is still disturbing to me and I do not understand why Chubby has been overlooked for the country’s highest award. He has long passed the stage of meritorious or Golden Drum. He is deserving of a National Award of Honor as Presidents and other dignitaries have received in the past. I am beginning to believe that it is about class; that probably he is too poor, does not dress in the latest styles and fashion, or is too humble? Does he have to rub shoulders with politicians? When you see people who are Ambassadors and recognized at the highest level one cannot come to grips with why a man who has impacted every Minister of Government’s life, the rich, poor, the barefoot man, for 50 years and counting, cannot be given such an award. I have called for it in the past and this is my final plea. I will not waste my time to officially write as is requested every year by the ministry who always manages to recognize people less deserving because of a host of reasons beyond the scope of my art and entertainment articles. Frankly this request for awards is just a tradition in the name of transparency to send in names to the Cabinet secretary. I already know this article will not make the news as it may be irrelevant to some and very few will agree with my sentiments. So, I am asking, pleading for a guy whom the former Prime Minister Pierre Charles once managed; even now another former manager of Midnite Groovers, the present representative of Chubby’s village, GrandBay, Senator Ed Registe is now in cabinet and well placed to echo my call. Chubby is as great as President Savarin, Doctor Sorhaindo, Dr Bully, Rosie Douglas in his chosen vocation. So do not wait to say all these nice things or have Wadix do the same as was done during independence with the late Pierre Labassiere who only produced ONE album with Sound Masters. Do not wait to shower praise as we now do with Felix Henderson. Honor Phillip Chubby Mark at the highest level, as he more than deserves it while he is alive.

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CREOLE KITCHEN BY ALIX BOYD KNIGHTS

am happy to oblige to a request from Sa Kai Malade Kariabe Ltd. to write a cooking column for the new Creole Heartbeat magazine. In keeping with the approaching Christmas season. I thought its best to offer recipes to bring on and add to the Christmas spirit. I am therefore offering 3 Christmas drinks:

Sorrel 3-Cups dried sorrel or 10 cups fresh sorrel petals 9-Cups boiling water 12-Grains whole cloves or 3 tsp clove essence Piece ginger about 1 square inch Â˝-Cup strong run (optional) 1-Heaped rice

Method

Place dried or fresh sorrel in a jar. Pour on measured boiling water and leave to infuse (steep) for 48 hours. Strain off liquid into a large bowl, saving petals. Place petals in an enamel pan and add 3 cups water. Bring to boil and simmer along with ginger and clove for 10 minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strain liquid into bowl, again saving petals and replace with a further 3 cups of water. This ensures that all flavor and colour is extracted from the petals. Sweeten the liquid to exaggerated sweetness. Add rum in if used, strain and bottle. Place rice in each bottle and set to ferment for 3-4 days. After this period, it is best to refrigerate the still unused bottles to stop further fermenting action. Makes 5-6 bottles (26 oz size) NB: Sorrel made from fresh petals can be used immediately but the beverage made from the dried petals taste better after the fermenting process.

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Ginger Beer 1-lb ginger 1-gallon boiling water 1 ½ tsp yeast granules 6-grain clove or 1 tsp clove essence 1-tsp rice Wash ginger, scrape off skin, wash again, then slice very, very thinly place in jar, add boiling water and allow to remain for 24-36 hours. Strain off and boil as for Sorrel. Sweeten, bearing in mind that sweetness goes off during fermenting. Bottle, adding 4 tsp yeast ferment for a further 2 or 3 days. Makes 6 Bottles (26 oz size)

Ponche De Coco 1-Grated Coconut ½-Bottle rum ½-Large tin condensed milk 1-Cup powdered milk (eg. Nido) ½-Cup white sugar ¾-tsp cinnamon ¼-tsp clover essence ¾-tsp almond essence 1 ½-tsp vanilla essence

Method Place first 3 ingredients in blender and blend for 1 minute on high speed. Add remaining ingredients and blend again on high speed for a further 2-3 minutes. Squeeze through a clean dry kitchen towel or a muslin cloth. Yield: 4 cups ponche. Note: to make stronger drink a little rum can be added just before serving.

½lb currants ½lb raisins ½lb sultans ½lb prunes 1 flask strong rum (about 2 ¼ cup) ½ bottle V.P Rich Ruby wine or other port wine ½ bottle V.P Cream sherry ½ lb table butter 1 tsp Angostura bitters 1 teaspoon each: Vanilla Essence Almond Essence Clove Essence or Clove powder, Powered cinnamon grated nutmeg ¼lb Candied peel ½lb brown sugar 4 large or 5 small eggs Grated rind of green limes ½ Bottle burgess gravy browning (depend on desired darkness) ½ b glace cherries 10 zs flour (2 ¾ cups) 1 ½ tsps. Baking powder ¼ bottle stout (optional)

Method Place currants in a clean glass jar. Cut raisins and sultans, diseed and cut prunes and place raisins, sultans and prunes in jar also. Pour all liquor over fruit, seal jar and leave for from 3 days to 1 year or more. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Set aside. Beat eggs together with lime rind and add to creamed mixture, a little at a time, beating well after each addition, ensuring that all the egg is well incorporated into the mixture. Drain fruit, reserving liquid, and add fruit to mixture. Now add browning to desire darkness. Mix well, then blend in bitter, essence and candid peel, cherries and nuts if used. Pour batter into a very well-greased and floured baking pan and bake at 250, until a knife inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool before moistening with reserved liquor. Wrap in cling wrap and store for at least 3-4 days to mature. N.B. 1. If liked, about ½ cup brandy may be added to reserved liquor to pour over cake N.B. 2. If using bottled cherries, liquid from this could also be added to liquor to moisten cake.

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And then of course I offer these special treat for the vegetarians: Vegetarian Moussaka

Christophine Au Gratin

3 medium eggplants 1 tbsp salt ¼ cup oil-preferably Olive 1 1g onion Chopped finely 2 cloves garlic crushed to a paste with ½ tsp salt 3 large tomatoes skinned and chopped 3 tbsp ketchup 1 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tbsp marjoram leaves or 2 tsp thyme leaves ½ tsp white pepper 2 eggs 1 carton natural unsweetened yogurt ¼ cup milk 3 cups grated cheese

4 Christophines 2 ½ cups grated Cheese 2 grated onion Salt, white pepper to taste 2 heaped tbsp. flour ½ Cup breadcrumbs

Method:

Method Thinly slice eggplant, layer slices on a large plate sprinkling salt over each layer. Place another plate over layers (this will help remove the bitter juices). Leave to stand for 20-30 mins then rinse each slice very well under running water and dry well on kitchen paper. Heat ¼ of the oil in a large pan and fry eggplant slices in batches until golden brown over medium heat adding more oil as necessary. Set fried eggplant aside, lower heat and fry onion and garlic gently in remaining oil until soft. Add tomato, ketchup, parsley, marjoram leaves and white pepper to pan and mix well. Cover pan and cook over low heat for 10m min. Stirring occasionally. Meanwhile in a large bowl beat eggs thoroughly then add yogurt, milk, 1 cup of the cheese and ½ tsp salt. To Assemble: Place a layer of 1/3 of the eggplant slice at the bottom of an ovenproof baking dish (approx. 6” x 12”) spoon over ½ the tomato sauce and sprinkle 1 cup cheese over the sauce. Repeat with 1/3 of the eggplant slices, remaining sauce and cheese, make a top layer with remaining 1/3 slices. Finally pour egg mixture all over top and bake at 350 F for 40-45 mins.

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Cut Christophines in half lengthwise. Cook in water to cover christophines in a covered pan until soft. Remove from heat, discard water and allow to cool. When cool, peel, remove core and stringy membranes surrounding core, place in a bowl and mash. Add 1 ½ cups cheese, the onion, salt, pepper and flour and mix well. Pour into a greased baking dish and level out. Dredge with ½ remaining cheese, then breadcrumbs and then balance of cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350. Serve 4-6 Note: Freezes very well. Do two and freeze one for a busy day.

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Giraudel Dominica’s Flower Basket

This mountainous jewel lying midway on the Caribbean peninsula is nature’s haven called Dominica. This 289 square mile gem is fully carpeted with lush green vegetation and rich fertile soil. The cascading waterfalls and rivers, diverse flora and fauna and exotic wild life is testimony and complimentary to her name the nature isle of the world. Paralleled to the biblical Garden of Eden, is this breathtaking twin community called Giraudel/Eggleston also known as the “flower basket” of Dominica. This oasis of beauty lies on the slopes on Morne Anglais next to Morne Prosper in the Roseau Valley. Giraudel/Egglestion is an agricultural community made up of several plantations. They are widely known for the famous annual Floricultural festival called The Flower Show, an event showcasing various species of flowers and floral arrangements. The metamorphosis of the Flower Show began around 1973 to 1974 on the heels of the annual achievement’s day led by late Andrew Royer, Elizabeth Alfred and other members of the Giraudel Eggleston Development Committee. The annual Flower show is now organized by the Giraudel/Eggleston Flower Growers Inc. in collaboration with other community groups, voluntary organizations and the Government of Dominica. The Flower show which is designed as an income generator for the community, was first held over the Easter weekend almost four decades ago. It was later moved to the May Day weekend and has since been, a major signature event during the calendar of activities. Apart from the showcasing and buying of flowers and produce, numerous booths, stalls and bars are lined up on the main road for further entertainment during the weekend of activities. The contagious atmosphere and fascinating displays of the flower show, attracted thousands of patrons from Dominica and the Caribbean. The

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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT By: Leroy “Wadix” Charles

traffic congestion prompted the then Prime Minister, the late Eugenia Charles to construct a back road southerly through Castle Comfort to alleviate the mayhem and ease the traffic flow. Due to several tropical systems affecting Dominica recently, 2016 was the last year the event was staged in conjunction with World Environment day in 2016. Music is also a hallmark of the twin community, with their pride cultural musical force called the Giraudel Jing Ping Band. They started of as a family band with the Harve brothers, Phillip, Toney and Phillip alongside Joseph Alexander and Felix Mitchel in the 1960s. In 1986 they made history when they were the first Jing ping band to record an album which continues to resonate every independence season in Dominica. Sensational singer and former vocalist of the Swinging Stars, Levi Loblack, was one of the main vocalists, along with studio engineer Radigan on the project.

Three of the original members are now deceased but the band continues to perform. In recent times Carlyn XP one of the most talented female entertainers in Dominica continues to fly high the banner of the twin community. She hails from Giraudel and is a strong proud community stalwart. Also, from this Flower based haven is one of the top DJs on the island, DJ Snow. Giraudel/Eggleston is family oriented and tightly knit. Their community spirit is extremely high and some of the most common surnames are Giraudel, Belle, Chasseau, Benjamin, Joseph, Catin, Alfred, Letang, Thomas, Xavier and Alexanders. The Alfred family was awarded in 2013 for a legacy of over 100 years in agriculture. If you love flowers, vegetables and a cool, relaxing, healing and therapeutic atmosphere, book a visit to the tranquil, peaceful twin communities of Eggleston and Giraudel.

They have toured extensively to several Caribbean islands and France and have received numerous awards including the Golden Drum Award. They also accompanied numerous groups in the Roseau area during the national celebrations of independence.

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DJ Snow

DJ Sleem

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Daneja

1. Colton T 2. Ridge 3. Kalihi 4. Asa Bantan 5. TK 6. Shelly 7. Don Carli 8. Navy 9. Knutkase 10.Colton T

| Fa | Ri | Pu | Ba | Ke | Ins |W | It i | 36 | Bl

Dr. Miguel Labadie

DJ Median

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1. Colton T 2. Ridge 3. Kalihi 4. Asa Bantan 5. TK 6. Shelly 7. Don Carli 8. Navy 9. Knutkase 10.Colton T

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THE SEWINAL TRADITION

by Gregory Rabess

Séwinal is one of the fundamental aspects of our Christmas celebrations in Dominica. Séwinal is a serenade involving a group of jing ping musicians and singers who go from house to house at nights, singing and playing local Christmas songs and well known Christmas carols. The term ‘Séwinal’ is derived from the French word ‘serenade’. Séwinal has a particular flow from start to finish. It begins with the séwinal group assembling quietly outside the front door of the house being visited. The group then sings/plays a song. This is followed by a short speech, which includes greetings and appeals to be invited inside. The group then sings another song. At this point the group is invited in and the séwinal session continues for about an hour. During that time there is singing, dancing, jokes, fun, laughter and local beverages ginger beer, sorrel, coffee and rum are served. When it’s time to leave, the group sings a departing song, gives thanks to the homefolk and departs for the next house. This pattern continues all night. Séwinal coincides with the period of advent in the Catholic Church calendar. Séwinal groups start making their rounds from the last week in November. This continues in December and climaxes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The séwinal tradition has declined in recent years due to various social and economic factors. The village of Atkinson (Waraka) however has kept up this tradition and can be considered the séwinal capital of Dominica. Other communities of note which continue the séwinal tradition include Layou, Paix Bouche, Petite Soufriere and Petite Savanne. In 1990, Bann Akayo of Atkinson released the first-ever cassette recording of séwinal music entitled Mizik Séwinal. This recording helped to make the séwinal tradition better known in present-day Dominica. The Waraka Séwinal Festival, first held in 2010, is an effort by the Atkinson and Antrizle community to revive and promote this tradition in Dominica and to attract visitors to the community. The Festival is organized by the Atkinson and Antrizle Village Council and the Waraka Séwinal Festival Committee. In the wider Caribbean cultural context, the séwinal tradition exists in most Caribbean countries. In Venezuela for example it is known as parranda. In Trinidad it is called parang (and séwinal as well). In Puerto Rico it is known as aguinaldo.

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BANN AKAYO

ann Akayo was formed in 1985. It got its name as a response to a simple question…ki bann ki la? Bann Akayo! Aka being the nickname of the band leader, Alixon LaRonde.

Bann Akayo hails from the village of Atkinson and Antrizle and has earned the reputation of being the number one séwinal band in Dominica. Every year, Bann Akayo brings Christmas cheer to Atkinson and other communities including Mahaut and Roseau. The band has performed at various business places in Roseau and at the Waraka Séwinal Festival. It has participated in jing ping competitions during Independence Celebrations. In 1990 Bann Akayo released a recording of séwinal music entitled Mizik Séwinal which created a new awareness of the séwinal tradition among the general population. Today, this album continues to be one of the signature albums of the Christmas festive season. Bann Akayo received a Special Recognition Award from the National Cultural Council for its contribution to the development of séwinal music and jing ping music generally. The group also received an award from the Waraka Sewinal Festival Committee and the Atkinson Antrizle Village Council. The group’s membership has changed over the years. Presently the group’s core members are Alixon Laronde, Gregory Rabess, Albert Durand, Zachariah Durand and Gabriel Eusebe. Other members of the band during its earlier years include Alfred “Saxo” Laurent (deceased), Emmanuel “Bo” Durand (deceased), Roderick Durand (deceased), Ashton Graneau, Evalina Durand and Nicholson Viville.

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My REAL PAPA NWEL by Jeno J. Jacob

The nights were cold in December. I slept with Granny’s thick, woollen sweater over my pyjama. Granny said the fwaydi or cold winds came from America and the North pole. I’ve always dreamt of America and imagined the North pole, especially during Christmas. The trees covered with snow and the mountains blanketed with ice. In the North pole that’s where Santa lives, Granny said. Papa Nwel, and his reindeer Rudolph, which looks like a giant goat. I had seen them in the magazines my father would sometimes send to cover the barrels of groceries and clothes. My Papa was in America. I have never seen him. Granny told me he left when I was one year old. He was heartbroken after my mum died giving birth to me. I was left in my grandmother’s care and my father would support me as he could. I carried his picture with me in my school bag. He was tall, handsome and dark, with short locks on his head. I would kiss his picture and smile. Granny said he could not come to see us because he was waiting on his American green card. She said it was a sacrifice he was forced to make. He would call us on the phone and I always welcomed his deep caring voice. We lived with Granny’s boyfriend, Mr. Garbaz. She met him after Hurricane Maria, which had destroyed our wooden house. Granny quarrelled that the parl. Rep. was slow in helping her, so we moved in with him for rescue. I did not like Mr. Garbaz. He was always drunk and loved to beat Chocho. Chocho was my friend. Though she was a pig, she understood everything I told her, when I brought her the leftovers from the kitchen. The piglet was a month old, when Granny bought her. I named her Chocho. “Chocho, Chocho,” I would call whenever I approached the tree and the mud where she was tied. “Grunff…grunff..grunff,” She would answer. I would clean her trough and pour her, her food.

She ate a lot, so I would cut open some dry coconuts for her snack. After she was done, I would scratch her stomach. She would lie on her back and grunt softly. “Madoe, Madoe ohy,” Mr.Garbaz said to Granny one day, “Koshon sala, ou ni la- a, that fat pig you have there, I killing it for Christmas.” “No Granny,” I pleaded, “don’t let Mr. Garbaz kill Chocho. Please Granny, Chocho is my friend. I have no brother or sister to play with and I raised her from small. Don’t let Mr. Garbaz kill my pig. ” But there was nothing she could do or say to change his mind. He chatted all through the week about Black pudding and stewed pork and that the meat was already sold even before he killed the pig. “Chocho is a big pig now Johnny,” Granny said, “It takes up a lot of your time. You have to study your school work.” “I does do my homework while Chocho eating oui,” I replied. Granny did not answer, but started singing: One day at a time sweet Jesus…that’s all I’m asking of you. She was stressed by Mr. Garbaz who always comes home late in a drunken stupor. “I’ll give you room in your house,” she answered him during a quarrel. “Do what you want Madoe,” he shouted, “I already ask the Haitian farmer for fifty dollars chive to make the blood pudding and I have a piece of dasheen and two mounds of Ladies yam to eat my stew pork.” I was sad. I must save Chocho. “Oh ho, I know,” I said to myself while coming from school one day. “I will get Chocho a boyfriend.” Our neighbour Mr. Samuel had a boar. It was huge, so Mr. Samuel named him Goliath. Mr. Samuel disliked Mr. Garbaz, whom he accused of stealing his dasheen plants. “Mr. Samuel,” I called to him, holding a bucket of pig food in my hands. “Can I bring Chocho for Goliath?” “What do you mean,” he quickly replied, “to see Goliath?”

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“To be Goliath’s girlfriend, Sir,” I answered. “Goliath girlfriend,” Mr Samuel laughed loudly, beating his cutlass against his black, knee- high rubber boots. “Yes Sir,” I said, “when she make little ones, I will give you a male.” “Hmmm, alright,” Mr Samuel mused, “You strike a good bargain for a boy of ten.” “Thank you Sir,” I said with joy, “Can I bring her today?” “She’s not ready yet,” he said, “I’ll observe her and I’ll tell you when to bring her.” Two weeks later, Mr. Samuel allowed me to bring Chocho to meet Goliath. I stood there while they kissed and jumped on each other’s backs. “That’s it,” Mr Samuel laughed, “now, they are girlfriend and boyfriend.” As the months drew closer to Christmas, Chocho’s belly grew bigger and her breasts were full, pointed and round.

Some neighbours paid Granny in advance for seven piglets. I decided to keep one of Chocho’s sons. Two days before Christmas, Granny bathed me in soursoup leaves. She said it would make me sleep soundly. “Put your socks by your head,” she said, “and leave the window open. Papa Nwel will bring you gifts in the night.” I awoke about five o’clock in the morning. I rolled over on the bedding of old, worn and torn clothes, which was my mattress. I felt a cold object beside me. It was a new bicycle. I turned and saw a dark, tall figure standing in the lamp light. “Good morning,” the deep caring voice said. “Merry Christmas, Johnny.” He was not Santa Claus. He did not look like the fat round man, with lengthy, white beard, a red and white hat, in red cotton coat and bulging red pants. He was not holding a huge bag of toys. He was the image of the picture I kept in my school bag. “Papa, Daddy!” I shouted with joy. He hugged me with his strong, hairy arms. Granny stood there smiling with tears in her eyes. She never told me that I would see my real Papa Nwel for Christmas.

“Madoe oh’y,” Mr. Garbaz said one day, in October, “ Ou sav, koshon wa plenn? You know the pig full...it pregnant?”

THE END.

“I don’t know nothing about pig,” she answered. “You don’t know about pig, eh! Alright, but I suspect is Samuel, the bouwo, the bastad, rapist pig goliath, that escape and commit that crime. Now I cannot kill the pig. All the while I saying is fat the pig fat.” I laughed, Chocho and I had won. A week before Christmas, farmers were bringing their animals home for slaughter. At nights we heard the last terrifying squeals of pigs and the dying mows of petrified cows and the resistance of goats; victims of the butchers’ knives. The air smelled of rusty blood and burnt animal hooves and skins. The daily blowing of conchs shells from fixed corners of the village, announced the early sale of Christmas meat. Chocho gave birth to ten piglets. Mr. Samuel had slaughtered Goliath. He needed the money to replant his farm after the hurricane. He would replace the boar with the piglet I would give to him.

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CENTENARIANS CELEBRATION

Hesketh Casimir

George Tavenier

Wallis Michel Mathew

Twice married, with two children, Mr. Hesketh Casimir was born on 30th October 1918. He attended the Roseau Boys School at Newtown and then the Roseau Mixed School. His first job was with T. D. Shillingford, a variety store; followed by CDC which was the producers and distributors of electricity. He then started his own store selling books, magazines and stationery on Cork Street, Roseau. He also joined the Dominica Defence Force When World War II began.

George Tavenier was born on November 4, 1918. He is originally from Scotts Head but resides in Goodwill. He attended the St. Mary’s Academy along with Centenarian Hesketh Casimir. He exercised through playing cricket and football. He was raised by fortunate parents, with six sisters and two brothers. For 40 years, he worked as a plant operator at shell in Curacao. He got married to his lovely wife, and they were blessed with two children. Eventually, he got homesick and returned to Dominica. He believes that Dominica is better now; few people had jobs back then. He is a jovial person, and likes the company of others. He recently celebrated his 102nd Birthday!

Michel Mathew better known as “Disho” was born and raised in the village of Penville on September 30, 1918. He along with his wife, Mariann Matthew (deceased) was blessed with six children, twenty five grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren. His favorite past time was going on the rock every Saturday to catch fish. He was a hard worker, and a community man. He supported all activities done in the community.

As a young man Casimir recalls exercising by playing cricket and football with Mr. Oscar “Popeye” Joseph, in the mouth of the Roseau River, which was then known as the Boushwe. He is best known for his extraordinary service to Dominica through the Music Lovers Government Band which he helped create in June 1951 and led as Band Master for more than 36 years. Hesketh’s association with music began when he was a member of the Casimir Brothers, a band involved in playing at dance events. He played the saxophone and taught himself music without attending music school.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MR. TAVENIER

He claimed that he was well off and never saw “mezeh” back in the days, as his parents groomed him to be a farmer. His garden was located in Portsmouth and Paix Bouche where he planted cassava, yam, dasheen, fig, and many other crops. He firmly believes that young boys do not want to work the land and that garden cannot be made in the backyard. He would walk to his garden every day. He also believes that Dominica is much better now from back then; since men would receive only twenty (25) shillings a day, while women would receive five (5) shillings. He claims that now, the pay rate is much better. Disho is a Catholic at heart and continues to have a welcoming personality. He is loved by his community. His favorite meal is roast breadfruit with cucumber and codfish. He also enjoys his provision, fish, soup, and porridge. He is a strong believer in God and advises people to be good to others and always share because God giveth and God taketh.

He has been honoured twice by the Government of Dominica- he received the Sisserou Award of Honour in 2000 and the Meritorious Service Award in 1973. HAPPY 102ND BIRTHDAY MR. CASIMIR!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MR. MATHEW

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Hiking in Dominica

ONE on ONE with Ibrahim Brohim

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because sometimes we would just decide last minute to go somewhere and just get up and go. And so the name Dwivayez Hiking Club was born. The group was made up of different people in society - Doctors, nurses, businessmen, government workers, foreign workers on assignment with government - name it and when they heard about Dwivayez, they would join. People from Japan, USA, England, Russia here on holiday or working would come to hike with us. The group has gone through changes, people come and go and to this date Rawlins and I have survived the past 18 years in keeping the hikes organized. In the past 10 years, I could say that we have attracted younger people to the group. We have had persons with ages ranging from 5 years to 80 years hiking with us on various hikes with different degrees of difficulty. The group has hiked to nearly every corner of Dominica. We started hiking before the Waitukubuli National Trail was established.

How long have you been hiking? From school days, I would to go out with my friends on what we called belle marches on weekends, walking up rivers and small trails. Eventually I started going on more serious hikes in the mountains. Therefore I can safely say that I have been hiking for 30 plus years. Who or what inspired you to hit the hiking trail? Bernard Wiltshire organized the Neg Mawon hike in August. Some friends invited me one day to go, and so every year I went on this hike as I found it interesting about the history it spoke off. During one of those hikes, I remember meeting up with Rawlins Bruney and while talking about hiking one day, we felt that we did not want to wait a whole year to go hiking, so we started doing our own hikes, but still going on the Neg Mawon hikes every year. Who are Co-Leader of the group Dwivayez? As I earlier stated, in meeting up with Rawlins Bruney, a group of us started organizing our hikes as we did not want to wait a whole year to hike. On June 8, 2002, the group did its first hike to the Middleham Falls. We hiked every three months then, but as time went by, we also couldn’t wait three months for the next hike, and so we started hiking every month, and instead of hiking on a different Saturday, we decided to set our hikes for the first Saturday of the month. In the early days of the group, which did not have a name as yet, the group was made up of mostly senior people, ages ranging from about 30-50 years. Both Rawlins Bruney and I were responsible for organizing hikes. You could say we became the leaders of the group as persons would contact us about our upcoming hikes. When it came to giving the group a name, it was not difficult. I say so because in our early days of hiking, people would say we going to dwivay,

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In the early days, we would go with our cutlasses and red ribbons to mark the trail as we went along. We looked for challenges and new trails. We have hiked the National Trail several times along with the Boiling Lake and Morne Diablotin. We used a slogan saying “where there’s a trail, we blaze it.” When people join the group, they realize that they haven’t just joined a hiking group, but a hiking family. We look out for each other and ensure that safety is most important on hikes. We don’t allow anyone to bring alcohol on hikes, we advocate no littering on the trails and avoid tampering with the forest and its fauna and plants. Dwivayez does not hike only for the sake of hiking in the mountains. When we select a trail to hike, I would call on Dr. Lennox Honeychurch to get the historical information about the trail and pass on to our hikers. Majority of trails in Dominica has a history behind them. Dwivayez Hiking Club is an established hiking group. There are times, we are called upon by the Forestry Division and the Discover Dominica Authority for information on trails whenever they have hikes organized. We also make it a point of duty to report on the condition of trails to the Forestry Division, whether there are blockages or the trail needs clearing. For us, hiking is not a race or competition to see who can move faster. It is a time to enjoy nature and its surroundings. In

June

2020,

celebrated

our

18th

Anniversary! What is your vision for hiking in Dominica? Hiking in Dominica can become a popular attraction for hikers around the world. Most importantly, it has the ideal terrain for hiking. Hiking trails were not developed overnight in Dominica, they have been in existence for over 100 years, Remember I spoke about the Maroons who escaped from slavery into the mountains; they had developed a network of trails all over the island. Tourism has become the biggest money earner for Dominica. If hiking in Dominica is well organized and most importantly that the trails are properly maintained, Dominica can attract tourists who love hiking. In coming to Dominica to hike, the visitor must spend some days on the island. They will have to stay at hotels, take taxis or rent a car, buy food and drinks, in other words they will spend money and many will benefit. There are very few islands, apart from maybe Jamaica, who have trails like we have in Dominica. Hiking can be a money earner for many young persons who can be guides and take the hikers around. Dominica has sites beyond oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s belief to see how beautiful the island is. In a nutshell, if the trails are maintained and cleared, Dominica can become the Hiking capital of the Caribbean. I say so because I have met many a visitor who has hiked here and say that Dominica is ideal for hiking. People from Trinidad, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Barbados, and St. Lucia among others have hiked our trails. What is your biggest/hardest hike? It is difficult to say which our most difficult, hardest or challenging hike was. I say so because each trail has its own levels of difficulty. In answer to that, I could say that the trails to Morne Diablotin and the Boiling Lake, will top that list of challenging hikes. I say so because at no point, when you are on any of the 2 trails, you can afford to lose focus on where you are going. Though each trail has its own characteristics of difficulty, hikers have to be on their toes every step of the way. They suck the breath out of you, but at the same time, there are magnificent views of the mountains that give you the opportunity to get back your breath. Where has hiking taken you? For one, and most importantly, hiking has given me the opportunity to know my island much better. We usually say that we are strangers in our own country. Tourists who visit your island know it better than you and me. There are places I would not have known if I was not hiking. It has made me meet new friends, who I would not have met, again, if I was not hiking. Dwivayez has supported all who are involved in hiking. The Dominica Hotel and Tourist Association (DHTA), organizes Hike

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Fest in May every year. In the early years of Hike Fest, I was part of the organizing committee. Dwivayez has also hiked in other Caribbean Islands, namely, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Kitts. This was done together with another hiking group called DABEX. Through Hike Fest, I met a French guy from Martinique called Gilles, who was a hiking lover and would bring groups to hike in Dominica. In June of 2017, his Hiking Association started their version of Hike Fest in Martinique. Dwivayez Hiking Club took the decision to travel to Martinique that year in support of hiking. Six (6) of us went that year and every year since. Last year, we had some 28 persons travelling to hike. This year would have been the biggest in numbers, but because of COVID-19, it was cancelled. What is your favorite hiking trail and why? To be honest and strange enough, I don’t have a favorite trail. I enjoy all trails as they each have something different to offer. I will say though, the trails I enjoy more over some are those that have river crossings. I love to jump into the rivers as it allows me to refresh especially if I am on a tough and long trail.

First of all, I inform my staff I won’t be at work that Saturday. They are in charge and only try contacting me in an emergency. I can describe my feeling like an animal in the wilderness. I feel free, relaxed, enjoying Mother Nature. When I wake up the morning of the hike, my mind is set to leave everything behind. I feel good breathing the fresh air, drinking the fresh water where possible. I feel sometimes I could remain out there in the wilderness. It feels so amazing to experience the beauty of the island on the inside, and not watching its mountains from the outside. The feeling is so great that it is difficult explaining it; I simply say you have to experience it to feel it. Hiking has become part of my life, I look forward to each and every hike. When other groups or persons organize hikes, I try to join them to give support. Let me add in saying that hiking is not for anyone. When you want to start hiking, you must have a certain level of fitness. You have to be both physically and mentally fit. You cannot just wake up and decide you are going on an 8 hour hike if you have never hiked before. It is important to wear the right clothing and proper footwear. You need to carry basic supplies such as water, juice, salted nuts, chocolate, etc. I don’t recommend carrying heavy foodstuff to eat. This can cramp you and slow you down. You should be a lover of nature because when you are on a long hike, say 8 hours, if you are not strong, you will lose focus and start thinking you want to go home. Hiking is for the strong, for enjoyment and experience challenges in the mountains.

How do you feel inside when you hike?

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Naftanoon Felix Poem by: Ian Jackson

We all felt this was the end but hoped that we were wrong Particularly when his voice came back so strong While the Nation watched a football match A fundraiser to aid an ailing heart Creole’s champion fought against all odds Holding fast to his all,trusting God Bazil made serious of his ad Kept knocking, but his faith stood guard

Still the Sisserou recognized your flight Numerous honours bestowed,before you said goodnight Touching every soul class and race You mingled, resonated and brought a smile to every face Experience Creole, Kaywana and Milia KEK, Manager Dennis and co- worker Tim Durand ‘Tablets and spoonful,’ Sign man; Ibrahim Brohim Wadix who confess, you taught him everything While Steven D delights, it was you who brought him in

Wife Carla and Grace gazed at his contorted face No longer the free spirit the Nation once embrace 48 hours in prison or a vagrant on the street To tell the poor man’s story you accomplished every feat

The phrases you coined, ‘attitude of fatitude’ ‘Oh my finger’ your exclamation platitude The poetic ease of your creole tongue Brought joy to hearts,in village and town Never your face worn a public frown Except when West Indies lost another one

Oh Master of of wit, pun and satire You left DBS but never really retire For adverts, you were the merchant’s choice The message resonated, though comically voiced You introduced us to Niniput and Bazil Characters you personified, and made so real

‘Because you are with me’ your final chapter and verse To a life more bountiful than wallet or purse A humble grandbarian from Ma ma Tutu’s perch You gracefully nourished the land, now return to its earth Away from lifes’ darkness to a place of light Naftanoon Felix, here lies your reward, everlasting respite.

‘You must go’ indeed your ads told us so And by some strange coincidence foreshadowed that dreadful end As Bazil lurked around the bend

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Tribute Mr. Felix Henderson A Media Icon

Unicomer (Dominica) Limited would like to extend its condolences to the family of Mr. Felix Henderson and pay tribute to his life and legacy. Mr. Henderson is a recipient of the second and third highest honor of the Commonwealth of Dominica. For 47 relentless years through the platform of the national radio (DBS) he touched thousands of lives. The Ultimate Espearance Creole Program is the spinal cord of our indigenous creole language. Mr. HendersonĘźs ďŹ rst love has always been and continue to be Dominica. He used his talent and creativity to single handedly transform the creole language, from a persecuted and discriminated dialect, into a respected language in Dominica. He traversed through mountains, hills and valleys to bring to prominence to the ordinary man. For 47 years, his signature voice, skillful whit, palatable, humor, creativity and versatility, pioneered and championed the creole culture. His contagious personality has been exemplary. Few in the media fraternity have shown the durability, consistency and tenacity of Felix and he has been the creole encyclopedia of Dominica. The value of this man is immense. The innovation of the National Reading Competition when the English language was threatened and students lacked competence, is another testimony of his genius. Mr. Henderson in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, sponsored by Courts, went to the core of the problem. He presented the reading incubator and tremendous dividends have since been harvested. The record shows scores of participants at the reading competition continue to excel at the national assessment level. With the support and creativity of Mr. Henderson, Unicomer was able to take this competition from Dominica through to the entire OECS. For his many accomplishments, we the Unicomer family would like to pause and salute the life and legacy of Mr. Felix Henderson. He will truly be missed.

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FELIX HENDERSON & DOMINICAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CREOLE HERITAGE BY DR. IRVING ANDRE

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THE GENESIS OF CREOLE/KWEYOL

he roots of the Creole language, or Dominican “patois” as it was derisively known, can be traced to the days of slavery when African slaves, mimicked the speech patterns of their French owners in certain areas of Dominica. This French “patois” took root in Dominica over ensuing decades and became the main linguistic vehicle for various forms of dance, dress, storytelling and daily communication among ex-slaves and their descendants. Ironically, the relative lack of formal education in Dominica during the nineteenth century helped to preserve this form of verbal expression and by extension, various modes of Dominican cultural expression. But while the majority of Dominica’s African population embraced “patois” as their predominant, and in many cases, their only means of communication, it was generally frowned upon by the expatriate white society and the coloured elite who aspired to join their ranks. The latter’s aspirations to be accepted and recognized by the colonial elite led them to linguistically distance themselves from those who, through no fault of their own, could not mimic the accent or speech patterns of the English. Indeed, many members of Dominica’s local elite, shared the view, often expressed in the writings of visitors to Dominica, that “patois” was a “brake” on the development of the Dominican people. They shared the view of some, who, with a dose of racial animus, dismissed “patois” as “niggard French or as noted in Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea, the “debased French patois they use in this island.” They wallowed in the patronizing attitudes of those who dismissed “patois” speaking working people as “gens bord la mer,” or “neg lord bord.” They embraced the attitude best expressed by one of Jean Rhys’ characters in her novel, Voyage in the Dark, I tried to teach you to talk like a lady and behave like a lady and not like a nigger and of course I couldn’t do it. Impossible to get you away from the servants. That awful sing-song voice you had! Exactly like a nigger you talked and still do. This attitude persisted throughout much of the nineteenth century. Its stranglehold on Dominica was weakened by at least three developments in the mid-twentieth century. First, folklorist Cissie Caudeiron symbolically opened the front door of respectability for “creole songs,” dances and “speech patterns,” rather than allowing them to sneak in the back door, or through the kitchen, of middleclass households. Furthermore, Caudeiron legitimized Dominica’s indigenous dress and headwear not merely by wearing them during periods of celebration but also writing articles about them. Second, the advent of universal adult suffrage in 1951 forced Dominica’s political elite to resort to publicly speaking “patois” for their political survival. This was the case in 1951 with the first general election fought on the basis of universal adult suffrage. The candidates who sought political office had to speak to a significant part of the electorate using “lang mama nou” or the language of the people. For the first time in Dominica’s history, a person of humble origins won a seat in the legislative council, prompting trade unionist Emmanuel Loblack to boast that he put a “barefoot” man in the legislature. The third development was the birth of the Dominica Labour Party in 1955 by Phyllis Shand Allfrey and Loblack and the ascendancy of Edward Oliver LeBlanc in 1961 as Dominica’s Premier. To a significant degree, LeBlanc undermined the hegemony of the English language in Dominica by unashamedly promoting Dominica’s cultural expressions and promoting competitions in Dominica’s indigenous dance, story-telling, dress, and Dominican “kweyol.” LeBlanc’s policies engendered an acceptance of kweyol in the late 1960s and 1970s. Dominica’s talented musicians followed suit in repatriating kweyol to its rightful place in the hearts and minds of the Dominican people. Foremost among them were Jean Lawrence and the Siffleur Montagne Chorale and calypsonian Greg Breaker who removed the shroud over our local language and opened a rich linguistic landscape waiting to be embraced by Dominica’s social and professional elite and those who aspired to join their ranks. The songs crafted within this period that have endured the test the test of time are all kweyol songs: “Ma John levé,” “Pas Quittez Yo Prend Dominique,” “Tout ça en dans Y,” and “Pas Embeté Moin.” These songs have all been etched on the granite of Dominica’s music history. THE 1970s And then came the 1970s. Once again, Dominican musicians became the main purveyors of change. Kweyol proved to be the vehicle which drove through the gate of “respectability and legitimacy” in Dominica. Calypsonians, Ophelia Marie, Janet Azouz and Dominican bands rose to new heights of success with kweyol songs clothed in the indigenous robes of “cadance lypso.” Bands such as Belles Combo, Grammacks, Exile One, Liquid Ice, Bill-O-Men and Midnight Groovers, the kings of Cadance, collectively crowned kweyol as the language of the people and made it more respectable than it previously had been. These bands produced great music and placed Dominica on the musical map. But the most memorable songs were kweyol songs that spoke to the suffering and aspirations of the working people. Songs like Exile One’s “You twavay pou

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anyen,” “Homage à Frantz Fanon,” “Tway yo pou tout moun majay.” Songs like Grammacks’ “Anou mer a mer tet a tet,” “Me Deba,” and “Couchema.” From the “Pride of Mahaut” came “Mal elevé,” “Apres Carnaval,” and “Mizik Anou.” And from the musical chalice of the inimitable “Kings of Cadance,” flowed generous servings of champagne such as “Coco sec,” “Anita,” “Soulier a Tala Haut,” “Ail Soucouer sac ou,” and many others. Dominican writers also moved towards embracing kweyol in their writings. Some of these appeared in a government publication called Dies Dominica. In the mid-1970s, Edward LeBlanc wrote a poem called “Nom Nwer,” addressed to black men and the perils of black liberation. Greg Rabess also wrote kweyol poems many of which focused on black liberation. Our musicians and writers, therefore, by the mid-1970s, had pushed kweyol to the threshold of widespread acceptance in Dominica. In 1975, a former manager of the Gaylords Power Union would become the father giver of the bridegroom at the altar of acceptance of the kweyol language. The Labour government appointed Dennis Joseph as the manager of Radio Dominica. He soon changed the station’s name to the Dominica Broadcasting Service. He then reformed the station’s programing by introducing “patois programming” and conscripting Tim Durand and later Ferdinand Frampton to do a “patois” program on Friday evenings. But Joseph ran into a firewall with his modest attempts to further the acceptance of “patois.” Writing in an October 2013 article, “Just Dennis: Those who changed things and made the Creole/Kweyol difference,” on “Dominica News Online,” Joseph wrote, There was a firestorm as the “patwa” haters ranted and raved. I recall one particular caller who many years later apologized to me [for] suggesting that I should be hanged in the market square for, “Spoiling the minds of the youth with “patwa” and cadence on radio. FELIX HENDERSON In May 1977, Joseph appointed Felix Henderson to take broadcasting in kweyol to the proverbial next level. He appointed Cadance high priest, Leroy “Wadico” Charles, to lead the Cadance offensive on the nation’s station. Henderson was the very embodiment of the

“malayway” in Dominica. Born to a single mother. Abandoned by his father. Homeless at various times in his youth. Forced to drop out of the Dominica Grammar School while in the third form because of lack of money. But driven to make something of himself despite the hardships he had endured. Henderson started with a program called “Nou Meme,” from 7.oo p.m. to 8.00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. He gravitated towards another program called “Experience Creole,” that cemented his reputation as the most authentic kweyol voice on radio. He later moved to producing documentaries on various categories of Dominicans including garbage collectors, prisoners, patients at the Princess Margaret Hospital and “paros.” He later contributed to the development of literacy in Dominica by spearheading spelling competitions throughout Dominica. Equally important, Henderson became an unofficial ambassador for the Creole language. He attended conferences regionally and internationally, to preserve the kweyol language. He became known as an expert in kweyol. He became a much revered figure with his brilliant advertisements for local companies marinated in his infectious humour. By the late 1970s, his expertise in kweyol was sufficiently well known that the U.S. Peace Corps hired him to teach a course in “patois” at the Dominica Grammar School to nuns and Peace Corps workers in Dominica. Before Henderson’s recent death, Dominicans celebrated his achievements by hosting functions including fundraising activities in his honour. DBS played his popular advertisements. The island’s radio stations broadcasted the official launching of his autobiography, Because You are With Me and hundreds of persons flocked to purchase copies of his book. Persons in Dominica and abroad showered accolades on him for his tremendous work in making kweyol acceptable in Dominica and in the region. The tremendous legacy of Felix Henderson will long outlast the premature nature of his passing. THE FUTURE Quo vadis Dominica? Where are you going with your rich kweyol culture? What steps will you take to build on the legacy of Felix Henderson? The late Marcel Fontaine had written an English/Kweyol dictionary while Gregory Rabess has written a book about kweyol proverbs. But when will kweyol be taught in your schools, Dominica? You have had a “Journee kweyol” for many years but what are you doing to celebrate kweyol throughout the year? You celebrate Kweyol Bod la Mé once a year but offer no incentives to the jing ping bands, steel pan bands and wob douillette makers to be patronized throughout the year. Wadix Charles has kept Cadance lypso from receiving “life water” but what financial support have you given to prevent the music from being carried on a hearse to Gentle Rest? You have a World Creole Music Festival every year in which you pay obscene sums of money to reggae artists and yet you pay a pittance to kweyol musicians, if you invite them at all. What have you done lately to preserve the legacy of Gordon, Fitzroy, Halibut, Chubby, Coe and others? You profess acceptance of the kweyol language but what efforts have you made to teach the language in primary or high schools? What archeological work have you commissioned to find out more about the communities of the Neg Mawon? What work, if any, have you commissioned to document the music and life experiences of our musical icons? And so I ask, once again, Quo Vadis Dominica?

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Kalinago Kweyol Connection KALINAGO LANGUAGE AND INFLUENCES The Kalinago language (Kalinago) is an important part of our linguistic heritage. Though no longer spoken by the Kalinago in Dominica today, it has a strong presence in our Kwéyòl particularly in names of places, trees and plants, fish and other animals and some expressions. Kalinago is closely related to a group of languages spoken by the indigenous people of the Guyanas, Suriname and Venezuela. By the time of the arrival of the Europeans in the 1500s, the language had incorporated some words of Arawak origin. Following the arrival of Europeans, new Kalinago words of Spanish, French and English origin emerged.

By Gregory Rabess

The Kalinago language was documented by French priest Raymond Labat who resided among the Kalinago for varying periods between 1642 -1654. He eventually produced the Dictionnaire Francais – Caraibe published in 1655. During the first half of the last century, some import research work and essays on Kalinago language and culture were done by Douglas Taylor a US anthropologist. The Kalinago community in Dominica is currently undertaking a number of initiatives aimed at reviving the language. This article is the first of a series in which we take a look at the Kalinago - Kweyol language connection, some Kalinago basics and its influence of our Kwéyòl language and culture generally.

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Kalinago Greetings, Introductions and Pleasantries Mabwika (Mabrika) Ita bia? Iropotina Kata biri? Marouka lia liri. Kata bu? Walashiwala iatina (iatna) Kalinago iatina Mekeru iatina Kata mutu yanhi? Ao Wakuya Huichan (wisa)

Good day, greetings How are you? I am good what is your name? Marouka is my name. who are you? I am Walashiwala I am Kalinago I am African (black) Who is there? It is me. It is us Good bye

In addition to names of places, there are many types of animals, fish, trees and plants as well as tools, implements and expressions which derive from Kalinago. Here are some examples

The Kalinago – Kweyol Connection As indicated earlier, Dominica’s Kwéyòl includes quite a significant number of words derived from Kalinago and related languages. The same is true for the Kwéyòl spoken in Martinique, Guadeloupe, St.Lucia, Trinidad and French Guyana. The map illustration featured here highlights Kalinago names of places in Dominica which for the most part are in use in our Kwéyòl. Waitukubuli not Waitikubuli Waitukubuli is the Kalinago name for our beautiful island. Many people say Waitikubuli. This is wrong. Let’s get it right folks. The word is WAI TU KU BU LI. It means tall is her body, a reference to our island’s mountainous nature.

Kweyol Awa Ti tak Anhan Wop Zannannan Kannòt Kouliw Sibouli Akajou Balizyé

Kalinago English uwa no itakara some, a little aha ok, yes wo hey nana pineapple kanawa canoe koulirou a type of fish sibuli a type of fish akaju a type of tree palili a type of plant

The Kwéyòl – Kalinago connection was not a one-way affair. Here are some Kalinago words derived from French or Kwéyòl; Kalinago Tabula Pulatu Tasu Veru Kuyeru Simisi Rubu Mutoni

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French/Kweyol table plat tasse verre cuillière chemise robe mouton

English table plate. teacup. glass. spoon shirt dress sheep

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WHAT DOES THE WORD CREOLE MEAN TO YOU? by Gordon Henderson

From as far back as the sixteenth century, the word “creole” has been constantly changing in meaning. The Portuguese may have been the first to use the word creole (crioulo) to refer to a person of Portuguese decent born in the colonies. The French (Créole) and Spanish (Criollo) were quick to adopt. At the time of the emancipation of slavery in the Caribbean and the Americas, free blacks who showed signs of wealth were also added to the list. This means the first Creoles were people: white and later mixed (mulattos) and blacks. There is also a small, intelligent horse known as the Criollo. By the early nineteenth century Creole begun to cease being attached to people or any specific geographic space but instead a cultural space which comprised communities across the Caribbean regardless of ethnic background, a part of North America (Louisiana), part of South America (French Guyana), the Indian Ocean (Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Reunion) all of which sharing a common history of slavery of Africans from the 15th century. The culture which emerged from this space has produced a language, cuisine, music, arts, dance, dress, literature and lifestyle. It must be noted that every Creole community mainly islands projects despite the distinguishable commonality of “creoleness”, has its own specific flavor of the aspects. For example, the local vernacular spoken in the Cape Verde islands is Portuguese based but considered Creole. Similarly, what is known as Jamaican patois also with some variation spoken in the Leeward Islands and in the Woodford Hill, Wesley, Marigot area of Dominica also called “Kokoy” is English based. The dominant Creole language is French based. Languages are said to comprise different dialects and at one point in the English language the word dialect was substituted by the word creole. This however is no longer in common use. During the period of slavery and the early colonial days the English-speaking elite demonstrated their “diglossic” superiority by calling whatever the others spoke “patois”, thus a broken language. Today only a handful of people continue to refer to the language as patois. The other aspects of the culture are very much alive throughout the global community. The cuisine is vibrant, the Madras fabric named after a town in India, proudly features in Creole dress highlighting the Indians who arrived in the colonies for the most part as indentured servants after the abolition of slavery. The music is probably the most prolific of the aspects of Creole culture as it has quickly moved from pastime to industry. Despite the many changes over the centuries, the word Creole is still evolving and does not mean the same thing everywhere. In Mauritius in the Indian Ocean for example, where the Creole language Morisien is widely spoken, paradoxically though, the people referred to in this diverse and multi-ethnic society as Creoles are the “Afro-Mauritians”. The Creole lifestyle is present and experienced by millions around the world with growing enthusiasm. Some have abandoned certain aspects; however, efforts are made to catch up and take the culture to higher heights. What does Creole mean to you?

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Kwéyòl an Danje? by Gregory Rabess

he death of two creole icons, Pierre Labassiere in October and Felix Henderson in November, has spurred much discussion on Kwéyòl and its future here in Dominica. Some commentators are of the view that Kwéyòl is in serious decline and that it is in danger of become extinct as in the case of Grenada or to a lesser extent Trinidad. They cite the fact that many young people particularly in the Roseau urban area cannot speak Kwéyòl. In addition, a significant number of adults are unable to speak it fluently and many such persons are unwilling to speak Kwéyòl out of fear of ‘embarrassing’ themselves in terms of modé lanng or manmoté. There are those who have some understanding of the language but are unable to speak it. And often enough, a comparison is made with St.Lucia which does have a similar linguistic history and landscape to ours and where Kwéyòl is more widely spoken. There appears to be some truth in all of this. Anecdotal evidence seems to bear this out. Felix Henderson was certainly very concerned about this situation. In a statement following his passing, Minister for Education Hon. Octavia Alfred noted that she had met with him only

weeks before and that he was very passionate and concerned about the future of Kwéyòl. Felix appealed to her to not let the language die. He wanted to see Kwéyòl being taught in schools. The danger signs with respect to Kwéyòl are clearly real. There is a indeed decline in spoken Kwéyòl and several factors have conspired to bring about this situation. To begin with, English is Dominica’s official language and the language used in formal settings. In the current globalized world, English is the language of international business. English, as opposed to French, has become the immediate language of reference in efforts to introduce new words into Kwéyòl. There is thus the danger of too many English words or derivations entering the language which may eventually deform it. It must be noted that Kwéyòl vocabulary is largely of French origin hence the description French Creole. Kwéyòl has no official status and it has no place in the formal education system. Indeed those opposed to the speaking of Kwéyòl or including it as a subject in school argue that it affects the learning and speaking of English. Kwéyòl itself has been subject to a war of obliteration by the educated elite that goes way back to the early 1900s. This has been captured quite poignantly in that great song Wòch Mason Wifizé penned by Chesterfield Seraphine and sung by the late Pierre Labassiere. Another factor is the fact that Dominican English rather than standard English is the language spoken in everyday conversations and even in formal settings. This variety of English is now coming under the heavy influence of Jamaican ‘patois’ via dancehall and reggae music and this is quite evident in bouyon music and DJ rap. Dominica also has another English creole variety Kokoy which spoken in the Marigot – Wesley area. It appears that Dominican English is now superseding Kwéyòl in ordinary conversation.

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There is another key factor, the question of attitude. Negative attitudes to kwéyòl abound. And this is part of our colonial legacy. Many persons seem to think that spoken Kweyol is the domain of poor illiterate people and that by speaking Kwéyòl, they would appear to be low class, illiterate and country bouki. Many persons consider Kwéyòl and aspects of creole culture as something seasonal, limited to the so-called creole season and Independence celebrations, Many associate Kwéyòl with mépwi, swearing, joking and street talk and as such not give it the seriousness that it deserves. Professionals seem to abhor Kwéyòl. Persons who appear to have a positive attitude to Kwéyòl, a creole consciousness, a lèspwi kwéyòl are in the minority. The lack of Kwéyòl presence in the media is another major factor. Apart from DBS Radio, Kwéyòl is notoriously absent on other local radio stations. The situation is even worse in the mainstream print media. Of course linked to this latter is the fact that Kwéyòl is still very much an oral tradition. It is only within the last forty years that serious efforts have been made through KEK to introduce a standard writing system. That system referred to as the GEREC system which we share with our Kweyol speaking neighbors has not become mainstream in Dominica. People write in their own way relying on English thus contributing to some sort of anarchy, a Kwéyòl tower of Babel. At the policy level, Kwéyòl has been left to its own devices. Apart from a section in the National Cultural Policy, there is no official policy with respect to Kwéyòl. Despite recent efforts, the Ministry of Education has not moved aggressively on the question of Kwéyòl in education. Calls for the use of Kwéyòl in Parliament by the former House speaker, Alix Boyd KnIghts have not been translated into concrete action. There is generally a lack of political will to make bold interventions in response to the Kwéyòl question. There are some factors however which serve to promote the increased use of Kweyol both spoken and written. The robust huckster and tourism trade with Guadeloupe and Martinique in the modern era is a major contributing factor in this regard. In fact, words and expressions from Guadeloupean Kwéyòl are entering ours as a result of such contacts. The words bwaké and plaj are two examples. The presence of a Haitian community in Dominica a phenomenon of recent years, also serves to perpetuate spoken Kwéyòl and may lead to the entry of some Haitian words into our vocabulary. This is not strange or surprising. Haiti and Dominica are the only countries which use the word goud to describe the dollar. Popular music such as kadans, zouk and konpa which are mainly sung in kweyol is another major contributing factor in the perpetuation of Kwéyòl. The World Creole Music Festival draws not only creole bands and music but Kwéyòl-speaking populations from Guadeloupe and Martinique. In some respects events such as the cadence-lypso competition and the Creole Song competition at Independence time also contribute to the perpetuation of the language. The work of KEK and the Cultural Division over the years, particularly in relation to the publication of a Kwéyòl dictionary and other related publication, publications by Marcel Fontaine and Felix Henderson, poetry competitions, Kwéyòl Spelling Bee, Kwéyòl Choral Speech have all helped to perpetuate the language. The work of DBS Radio, Dennis Joseph, Ferdinand Frampton, Felix Henderson and the Espweyans Kwéyòl programme all demonstrate the important role of the media in promoting Kwéyòl. In general terms, there does appear to be heightened interest in learning Kwéyòl. Based on comments on social media and call in programmes and the increasing presence of Kwéyòl texts on social media, there seems to be a more favourable or positive attitude toward the language. Increasingly, people are recognizing its importance to our Dominican identity, the need to preserve it and to introduce it as a subject in schools. A pilot project being implemented by the Ministry of Education in several schools on the island is testimony to this changing attitude. Kwéyòl is thus at the crossroads. There are danger signs which, if not responded to with urgency, will certainly lead to the demise of Kwéyòl. The good news is that overall social, cultural and policy climate is now more conducive to addressing the problem areas. The key actions in this regard will be examined in the next issue of Creole Heartbeat.

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CREOLE LANGUAGE TIPS PART I These tips are meant to assist in learning the Dominican variation of the Creole language. The focus is on speech so ignore spelling since the phonetic code will often refer to English rather than preferred French. OUR FIRST TIP IS THE DEFINITE ARTICLE “THE” WHICH IS “LA”... There may be many different versions of “la” such as “ya”, “en”, etc, but “la” will be understood everywhere.

Creole Language Tips Part 1 & 2

by Gordon Henderson

AFTER THE NOUN. In most Romance languages the definite article precedes the noun: the car, la voiture, el whatever... IN CREOLE IT FOLLOWS THE NOUN: The dog = cheeyen la ( French le chien) The cat = shat la (French le chat) Feel free to place “la” after English words for practice... Watch your pronunciation! restaurant la, hotel la, weekend la... There are more cognates than you’d imagine... CREOLE LANGUAGE TIPS PART II. FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS ( SPEECH ONLY). We shouldn’t think of the Creole language in Dominica as being “seasonal”... So, there is no Creole season. Recently we began with a few tips for absolute beginners with the single definite article (“la” sometimes pronounced “a”, “ya” as in English the word “the” becomes “de” in certain dialects, etc) placed AFTER the noun unlike English... So, Papa la becomes the father, or with occasional anglo input, motoka la is the car, (much to the amusement of Emile DePooter, lol...) Today, we speak of French rooted words that begin with French vowels: a, e, i/y, o, u... These words become Creole by adding a (infront the word).

Examples: Rubbish/garbage: ordure = zordi Onion: onion = zonion Shell: écale = zécale Business: affaire = zafè Zriend: ami = zami Etc, etc... There are many, many more... Add to the list and let’s improve our vocabulary and skills...

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Sebo’s Sports Almanac 1. Havis Shillingford was the Coach, Oliver “Peg Leg” Joseph the Captain and Vivian Rene the Vice-Captain. 2. Sydney Dyer who played for Notre Dame. 3. George Carrington 4. She was 12 years old 5. Sylvia Bertrand, Cybil McIntyre later Baron and Zena Severin later Boyd. 6. Bernard Kiwi Thomas. He attended Lake Junior College in Florida 7. Irving Shillingford made 238 against the Leeward Islands in 1978 and Lockhart Sebastian made 219 against the Leewards in 1979 in St. Kitts 8. Havis Shillinford 9. Roy Marshall made 223 against St. Lucia in 1995 at the Botanic Gardens.

MODÉ LANG

SAVON

Soap -

SIYE

Wipe -

LAVE

Wash -

MOUYE

TWANPE

Soak - Wet -

TWEL

Cloth -

SIPYE

Mat -

TOCHON

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SEVYET

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TABLIYE

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TRIVIA ANSWERS

French Antilles Round Up No Chante Noel, No “Carnival” for Martinique by Ezra Winston Patrons from Guadeloupe and Martinique are still trying to piece together news that there will be no Chanté Noel and no Carnaval 2020/2021. The decision was announced a week ago by authorities who are taking measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19. Like France, Martinique continues to be under lockdown at least until December 1st. Guadeloupe on the other hand has escaped a lockdown but there are strict measures in place. Chanté Nöel is a traditional Christmas serenade. It is a “very” local cultural tradition that has grown in strength over the past few years. A time where patrons come together and sing local “creole” Christmas songs along with a live band. It is a very popular singalong with bands playing on traditional instruments. The experience is usually filled with traditional creole Christmas meals and lots of rum to go with it. These events are held in different locations across the island. It is on open invitation put on by either individuals or organizations. Chanté Nöel parties usually run from mid-November up until December 25. The ban also comes as a blow to vendors in the food and hospitality business who have been hit hard by the pandemic. Although Guadeloupe was spared a complete lockdown, gatherings of more than 10 persons are not allowed. Mask wearing in public is also mandatory. Persons who are caught without a mask in public can face fines of up to 135 euros. With these measures in place it would be hard for persons to maintain social distancing during a festive activity like Chanté Nöel. This fete about eating, drinking, singing, dancing and having fun. The other bad news is about Carnaval celebrations. For the first time in a very long time there will be no Carnaval activities in Guadeloupe and Martinique for 2020/2021. This news, coupled with the ban on Chanté Nöel, has not gone down well with the Carnaval Organizing Committee. They have asked the Prefet to reconsider his decision while they try to come up

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with ways to avoid overcrowding. It is not sure what plans they have to make patrons respect social distancing orders. But in the meantime, the decision to cancel Carnaval celebrations still stand. Carnaval celebrations in the French Caribbean starts the day after Christmas and runs until the day after Mardi Gras. Events include weekend street parades to culminate with the big Mardi Gras parade in one of the major cities. This kaleidoscope of colors showcases several categories of events and themes. While the general public is split on accepting the decision, some Carnaval groups say they are continuing with preparations. Patrons in the French Caribbean have embraced their Carnaval and its success is in part due to public support. Participation has also skyrocketed and this is now a signature cultural event. Carnaval in the French Caribbean is different than in the English Caribbean. It is more about showcasing local culture and history. There is also more use of local musical instruments. It is not the kind of â&#x20AC;&#x153;big truckâ&#x20AC;? spontaneous event we see in the English Caribbean. It is all about group participation. To participate in the street parade one must be part of a group. The ban on these cultural events clearly shows the effects that Covid-19 has had on cultural activities in the French/Creole speaking Caribbean. All public cultural events such as concerts and shows have also been banned. To cushion the loss of income the French government has come to the rescue of producers and event planners. They have received a stimulus package with the promise of more help to come. There is also a Paycheck Protection Plan where the government subsides companies for continuing to pay employers full salaries even though their working hours have been cut.

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New Music Feature

On Tuesday, November 10th 2020 ColtonT released highly anticipated music video from his Impossible EP album, “Black Beauty”. The video upholds ColtonT’s unforgettable and cinematic work which was shot at Ti Kwen Glo Dominica by Glo Sho Multi Media and edited by Suggestive Inc. The song aims to empower women in general, no matter their skin tone but highlights characteristics and features that make black women strong. The tune touches on a few topics, Self-esteem, selfacceptance amongst others but to add it has a unique sound and an ear worm melody – ‘You make my heart go Chala chala chala yay’. The video can be seen on YouTube and the single is available for stream or download via all digital platforms. Watch “Black Beauty” music video now. https://bit.ly/2GLaBOS Download “Black Beauty” on iTunes Now: https://apple.co/3ldONdw Available on ALL digital platforms: https://bit.ly/2U9mQaQ PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC WITH US Sa Kai Malade Karaibe Ltd. Gachette’s Building | Kennedy Ave. Roseau, Dominica 767.616.3457 creoleheartbeat@gmail.com princewadix@gmail.com

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Re visited:

Carnival and a possible date change by Ian Jackson

Hurray! Just as I advised and warned in a previous article, the Government has taken the most practical decision to call off Carnival celebrations as Trinidad decided to a couple months ago.

This allows us to revisit an age old discussion as to the changing of dates for Carnival. As I have said years ago when this subject was discussed, there are points for and against. Firstly, if our approach to Carnival is as we have done for decades, just a street party mainly for Dominicans and

According to him the benefits are many, including a much greater influx of Martiniquans and Guadeloupeans to the Dominica carnival. He says the larger numbers of visitors would include people from the OECS countries who at the moment by-pass Dominica and head instead to the Trinidad carnival.’ Our biggest contingent from overseas still come from the French islands who also have carnival celebrations during this same period. Notably one of the major points advanced is trying to compete with Trinidad and Tobago and whether intentional or not this is what we are doing. The first choice of people from the other islands who want to participate carnival is almost always Trinidad, an economy we cannot compete with in numbers, finance, population or talent. Then comes summertime, when our citizen teachers, nurses and other civil servants find this as the most opportune time to take a vacation to the USA, Canada and guess what they bring their children along. This is where I disagree with my mentor Dr. Bully and would not move Carnival to summer where competition and traditions will not allow us to compete in a hurry with Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia and Vincy Mas.

returnees from the diaspora then leave it as it is in February or March. If we want to remain in line with the church calendar, Lent, ashes and Good Friday then it should remain. However, if we are speaking in terms of marketing and commercializing it as a product, then serious consideration to move the date must again be revisited. Change is always difficult and people feel a sense of nostalgia and resist interfering with traditional things; but look, we are not going to have carnival next year and have to accept it. One cannot rightly link Dominica’s Carnival to the actual liberation and slavery as far as the dates are concerned as this act was done in the month of August and so Antigua and Barbados are on point. Since 2012 Alwin Bully, Cultural Consultant stated the following as I did previously in support of a change of date. Bully’s key reason for promoting the change is that ‘. Dominica carnival would no longer have to compete with Trinidad and Tobago’s bigger carnival.

At one time I suggested probably May to coincide with the workers holiday during May Day observance or incorporate the same with Domfesta activities. Since a vaccine may be available by next summer, the virus may not stand in the way of the islands mentioned and they will have their celebrations in 2021.One may state it is a balancing act as we had ours in 2020 when they could not have theirs. However this is not really the point. What we should now be considering is whether we are just for nostalgic and or religious reasons holding on to February or will a date change really benefit our carnival? Well, I support the latter only if marketing rises to the level of the WCMF or greater. However, can this country afford two major festivals which require such injection of funds? Well this is the only way we will see merit and growth, as a date change of itself does not guarantee much hope without all the relevant support. Behind every dark cloud is a silver lining. Well Covid may have just provided that silver lining where we could pause and reflect the pros and cons of a possible date change since it has been officially announced that Carnival will not be staged next year.

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Winne PRINCE WADIX CREO

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ers of OLE FAN CLUB DRAW

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PROMEX HARLEM UNITED

DFA Knockout Recovery Cup

arlem United FC defeated Happi Bath Estate FC 5-4 on penalty kicks after their game ended 3-all at regulation time. Audel Laville and Jarvis Humphreys scored for Harlem United FC, with the other goal coming through an own goal. Julian Wade scored a brace for Bath Estate FC, with Kelrick Walter getting one. Harlem United FC walked away with $10,000.00 and a trophy. Bath Estate FC received $5000.00 and a trophy. Audel Laville was adjudged man of the match and received $500.00. Last week CCCU Dublanc got $3000.00 and a trophy after winning the 3rd place match against We United FC.

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