January/February 2019
Issue 53
The Effervescent
Charmaine Forde The Perils of the Returnee 1
Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo
Contents The Perils of the Returnee page 4 Cindy’s Winter Beauty Tips page 8
Culturepulse is designed and produced by Cashewmedia PR Ltd and published online through www.issuu.com
Food Innovation page 9
Copyright 2019
The Effervescent Charmaine Forde page 10
Views and comments expressed by contributors are not necessary those of Culturepulse or Cashewmedia PR Ltd but of the author/s.
The Role of Dance in Carnival Mas page 15
For all enquiries, please contact: 07738864335
CoP Gary Griffith Sends Clear Warning to Criminals in Trinidad &Tobago page 22
cashewmedialtd@gmail.com Culturepulse list of contributors in making the magazine a success.
Africa: Massive growth Opportunities 24
Natalie Alicia Dookie, Lyndon Brathwaite, Ansel Wong, David Wears, Chris Boothman, Nasser Khan, Malaika Crichlow, Amos Armstrong, Soshina Stephen, David Rudder, Jimmy Kainja, Paul Ade, Akilah Holder-Stewart, Michael La Rose, Dr Michelle Yaa, Dr Juanita CoxWestmaas, Dianne A Kalloo, Shabaka Thompson, Ron Ramdin, Rhianna Kalloo, Angelique, Dorothy Scott, Memory Pincheck, Erica Williams-Connell, Darren Lewis, Tessa Robinson, Sir Ronald Sanders, Cindy Mollineau,
Blind Brexit Page 27 Miami Rum Festival Page 30
Omardath Maharaj, Selena Carty, Alison Bajaican, Mahalia Mayne, Afridiziak, Leela Ramdeen, Caroline Muraldo and Nestor Sullivan.
Barbados Ban Plastic Straws Page 31
Member
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2019 began with a bang! The debacle that is Brexit continues to divide Britain and infuriate Europe. Whatever the outcome, one thing that is certain, Britain will not descend into the abyss that everyone seemingly anticipates. We wait with as March approaches. Brexit sold on the premise of immigration and the NHS it has prompted many in the Diaspora to contemplate returning to their ‘home’ country. This month Claire Shepperd explores her own experiences of ‘going back home’ to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Her account reveals the realities that face those returning to the proverbial ‘home’ country. With carnival taking place across the Caribbean islands, choreographer Caroline Muraldo delves into what Notting Hill Carnival means to her through the interpretation of dance. Cindy Mollineau, a carnivalists herself and a former contributor to Culturepulse is back with her beauty tips advising on how to protect your skin during the harsh winter months. Songbird Charmaine Forde returns to Trinidad and Tobago and mesmerises the home crowd with her instalments of We Kinda Jazz. While many of us in the diaspora are heading back to the Caribbean islands for the annual carnival season, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith has sent a clear warning to criminals in T&T; ‘stay away from illegal activities before its too late.’ With just 7 moths on the job, Griffith is leading the fight against crime on the twin island state from the frontline.
D. Kalloo Editor
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The Perils of the Returnees
went back to England in 2004 when he had to have a 'pacemaker' fitted - then once again for a check-up, before he was persuaded that going to Barbados for the annual check-up would be far better than returning from a hot country to the middle of winter in England - although of course this could only be done 'privately' in Barbados and not on the National Health Service which he like the majority of migrants had paid into for the whole of their working life in England. He saw the sense in doing this and made the journey to Barbados at least twice before he died in 2008.
By Claire Shepperd Returning to any island in the Caribbean to live after having left many years ago must rank as one of the most challenging decisions that one can make. The decision and experience can take one through the whole gamut of emotions - fear, trepidation, excitement, anticipation - and then the reality. For many people the idea of coming back to sand, sea and beaches and not having to face another cold winter cloud all other thoughts, because as we know - the cold and numbing winters are the worst part of leaving the Caribbean - when the chill goes through the body to your very bones and 'marrow' as some claim. The anticipation of eating fresh fruits and vegetables is also a big draw.
When his own father like several other men had left SVG to work in Panama, Carriacou, Aruba and Curacao - they went with a plan, a strategy to fulfil. These were proud men and were truly the early pioneers who migrated to work and who set examples for their children to take up the baton. These were among the numbers who ventured to England, America, Canada. Many of these pioneering people like my father left the Caribbean with the intention of returning in a few years with enough money to build homes and 'set themselves up'. The reality most had of paying rent, bills and food - was that they were left with hardly anything after sending remittances to aged relatives 'back home'.
'Black Migrations' has always been a hotly debated topic among academics and students alike......looking closely at the movements of people of African descent from the Caribbean where we were 'put down' via slave ships ‘to new destinations and new social realities' - more so today because of the personal experiences many have had. My late father before he died asked the question 'why do you want to come back here to live' and I cheekily responded by saying, 'you did - didn't you so why can't I'. Now, ten years later I am grasping the underlying meaning of what my father was implying. My father left St. Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) in 1960 and our mother followed him months later with 2 children, me and my sister. He returned to the island of St. Vincent & the Grenadines in the early 90's and only
A few confided that if they had the money to return a month or so after arriving, they would have done so, immediately. One or two were able to do just that and either returned 'home' or tried their luck in another country. The question of 'medical' treatments is one of the most important 4
reasons why returnees have had to return to the countries they emigrated to - whether it be America, Britain or Canada.
to this depends on what work you did while you were abroad. It depends on the interests you have, and your mindset. The chasm between returnee and those who remained - is going to be problematic at most. Names for those who went to England is 'English' and for others - similar. When my father questioned me about returning, I had no idea that he knew better than I did myself - that returning to SVG would be a big challenge to me - once I'd gotten over the 'honeymoon'. He was right.
Although Trinidad and Barbados claim to have better medical facilities than those of some of the smaller islands, truth be told none can keep up with the larger cosmopolitan countries when someone becomes seriously ill. Returnees are obviously aware through personal knowledge that the care they can get in their 'adopted' countries are of a much better standard overall than that available for them at home. The problem with this is the number of appointments which may have to be kept entailing flying backwards and forwards up to twice or more each year. All of which on already aging bodies is to put it mildly - gruelling. Yet, for many returnees, this is the price of 'staying alive'.
One of the very beautiful things about the islands including SVG are the number of other regional nationals who chose to make SVG their home. In this respect, when I arrived, there were individuals from Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, Grenada and elsewhere. For a long while I enjoyed the interactions - and threw myself into local life excluding the 'religion' - before I realised that 'religion' was the cornerstone of most events on the island. The 'Church' was central in all the villages and there are 30 plus churches in every village in SVG. People belonged to 'a church' and excluded other churches except for funerals and harvests when a few would attend the services of other denominations. For me, this domination of 'Christianity' was and continue to be the most challenging because soon after the family went to England, I did not have to attend church any longer - and especially so because my father was not a church going man, although my mother made every effort throughout her life to keep up with the 'Anglican' church.
Those who braved it were able to save very slowly in the host country by depriving themselves of some of the social activities which called for the spending of money - so that homes could be built. Some lost a lot of money through bad 'investments' and trusting family members to carry out the 'wishes’ of buying land to build on. There were others whose homes could not be completed or sadly one of the married partners died and the other chose not to come back or to return to live with the children and grandchildren - leaving the empty home and relying on the one or two relatives whom they may not possess the capability to properly handle matters of property.
The complete suppression of all things intellectual and creative to 'religion’ which I saw earlier on quaint, became oppressive. This 'quaintness' was exposed for what it plainly was - the continuation of a mindset which many of us who had travelled had long left behind.
One of the most important factors that must be negotiated on returning is 'expectations'. What are your 'expectations'? The answer
The 'slave mentality' where villagers were still largely led and influenced by the local 5
pastors and ministers in the churches - and where it was not unusual to hear grown people referring to a man as 'Father' in every sentence is prevalent.
there are so many people and different activities to offset the Christian calendar which in SVG can start as early as midNovember or before when you begin to hear Christmas Carols on the radio and passenger vehicles. To see our people wearing red Santa hats and donning the full 'Father Christmas' gear, and ideology is for me quite sad and depressing. Especially so, because there is no corresponding 'Black Consciousness' ideology or narrative to accompanying it. Every Christmas, since coming to SVG I have heard the same old and worn songs about Santa wanting a 'wife' for Christmas. I have heard 'It's Christmas time again' too many times as well as 'Santa Claus is coming to Town'. I have heard the Plum Wine and Mauby and Black Cake so often that one can become sick of listening to them. Our people have the same mindset around this calendar event as before 'Independence'......nothing has changed except perhaps that it is more ingrained and has taken roots more deeply with the 'capitalist' materialism driving it on.
In my own case, I felt that at every turn other villager were trying to 'reintegrate' me into something that I'd never been integrated in - such was their fervour for religious matters and events. In fairness to my 'new' environment I would attend funerals - but then I realised that funerals were one of the very few 'expressions' people had for wearing fine clothes and that they attended funerals to be 'seen'. It was so strange to realise that for many 'funerals' was the only 'social life' on the islands apart from the regular church service on Sunday, or Saturday or whatever day of the week ordained by the church. The most important news for many was - who had 'died' yesterday. When was the next funeral?
Every opportunity is used for evangelism....and it is interesting to see how this pans out with a 'culture' where sexual 'bravado' is also to the fore - where rape and sexual abuse is prevalent and where there are so many dysfunctional issues in the country that its beggar’s belief. The idea that returnees come back with a suitcase full of money must have its roots far back - and the constant begging by individuals daily is one that I will never be able to come to terms with - no matter how long I remain in SVG. Somebody, or another want whatever they see you with, be it clothes, shoes, radio - you name it they want it.
Of course, there is the business of daily life - but mainly because of the complete domination by religion - the countries remain 'backwards' through the fact that churchgoers would not do certain work on certain days - so the whole 'business' arena becomes uncreative and stagnant. There is little 'flow' in a small island like SVG unlike Trinidad which is bigger and have a variety of different faiths which often act as a balance to the blanket suppression by only one dominant faith.
I know that my father would have found it impertinent that people who have acres of land with mango trees, coconut trees, breadfruit trees - but little ambition or drive were begging him - a pensioner who had worked hard all his life in England - for
A time like 'Christmas' in SVG becomes 'difficult'. Far worse than in England where 6
money. It is a cultural trait that is now rampant and tenacious. It is like a cancer eating away at the very fabric of life in SVG - and one which is threatening the very lives of those returnees who now live in fear of violence and robberies and death.
as there once was - outside of the region even for things like 'medicals' because of the stringent new rules that are being applied to those living outside the adopted countries and who have contributed massively towards their growth. If you stay away from America, Britain, or Canada for periods of over 3 or 6 months you may be asked to make a financial contribution to your medical procedures - which you have already paid for all your working lives. We are caught in a double bind. We are not really wanted 'here' nor 'there'.
These island paradises are no longer what they were when we left as adults and children. The islands have changed - but the 'rulerships' remain unprogressive and in some cases regressive. Rapes and murders are happening far too often - and the 'powers that be' seem to be out of control and out of touch with the people who put them in power, and whom they were put in power to benefit. Homes are mainly burglar-barred now - and too many returnees live in apprehension in their 'island paradise' - only boasting of a slightly better standard of food and clothes than the average person - if that. The dream of 'returning' and slotting-in easily is dead. There is no slotting-in wanted if truth be known. The money that was being sent or given - was about the only benefit of having a relative in 'foreign' land, but once you came back as a retiree and no longer with the deep pockets - then your role is diminished in the eyes of relatives. You'll not find them as accommodating as they may once have been. The 'Windrush' scandal in Britain, Trump in the USA and tightening immigration in Canada is showing us that we must change our mindsets. There are no 'get out' cards 7
Cindy’s Winter Beauty Tips We are in the middle of winter and this usually means dehydrated skin. So, here’s little guide to get you through the winter while still looking a million bucks!
if we do not realise this. In addition, our thirst response decreases by up to 40% so we are losing water and not getting the urge to rehydrate. Add alcohol consumption to that and we have a recipe for dehydration just waiting to happen!
1: Firstly, get a facial. Facials are a must during winter. Central heating, dehydrated skin and extra consumption of alcohol and unhealthy foods play havoc to the skin! Find a good therapist that will complete a consultation of your current needs and lifestyle and recommend a facial suitable for your skin type and needs. I would suggest a hydrating and detoxifying facial for this time of the year.
4: Diet and supplements: Increase intake of Vitamin B complex as alcohol burns up vitamin B and affects the way you absorb these vitamins. Dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, arugula and spinach also provide folate and antioxidants to help the body flush out toxins.
2: Skincare is your friend! If you're over 25 then skincare regime is your friend and should be a part of your daily routine! During the winter months, the use of a serum is beneficial as well because it provides additional protection, hydration and antioxidants to the skin to leave it soft, smooth and healthy looking. My personal favourite is the Uplift serum by Younique. Its packed with antioxidants and brighten the skin leaving a healthy glow... because nothing is worse than sallow looking skin during winter.
Following These simple tips can help you look and feel better during the cold winter months while we indulge on the not so healthy stuff. The trick is to do everything in moderation. CINDY MOLLINEAU Beauty & Holistic Therapist Independent Presenter for Younique Products
cindy.mollineau@gmail.com Photos courtesy Pininterest and Google.com
3: Hydration. It goes without saying that hydration is important during the harsh winter period. Although its cold, your body still loses water via sweat even 8
Food Innovation In Toledo district, farmers are earning three times the going rate for their turmeric by supplying a local processing company to produce the world’s first ‘wildcrafted’ whole root turmeric paste.
Naledo are now producing over 9,000 kg per month. In 2014, while volunteering in Belize, Umeeda Switlo, CEO of Naledo, discovered that the size of Belize turmeric, Curcuma longa, was larger than other species. After testing it for pathogens and heavy metals, and finding none, she began processing turmeric paste from her kitchen in Canada. Switlo also discovered various nutritional benefits of the Belizean turmeric, for instance, while most turmeric has 2% curcuminoids, which is a powerful antiinflammatory compound valued for its health benefits, Switlo discovered that Belize turmeric has 7.6%.
Over 350 turmeric growers in Belize have registered with an agricultural social enterprise, Naledo Belize Ltd, to supply whole root turmeric for processing into ‘Truly Turmeric’ paste. The crop is grown wild and under cultivation in forests or amongst other crops, and this biodiverse production model makes it sustainable and supports regenerative agriculture. To optimise production, the farmers receive training from the company on how to replant small rhizomes (underground plant stems), reduce contamination by herbicides/pesticides, clean roots efficiently and harvest the main part of the root. Turmeric yields over 4,500 kg per 0.5 ha and has a short growth cycle of 9 months but was previously only produced in Belize in small amounts for hand-processing into powder for local consumption. Farmers registered with
The Truly Turmeric paste contains fresh squeezed lime juice, cold pressed coconut oil and sea salt, which makes it a nice addition in smoothies or curries, for instance. “There is nothing on the market like this. Wildcrafted is a step above organic, as the turmeric is naturally grown with no added agricultural inputs,” says Switlo. Reducing
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environmental impact is important to Switlo, “We produce very little waste as we process the roots whole with the skin on, and the smaller rhizomes are replanted as seeds. We also work with farmers to ensure that when washing the root, the silt does not go in to the rivers.” Young people in Toledo are also accessing new employment opportunities through Naledo’s agroprocessing factory in Punta Gorda, the capital of the district. Here, all valueadded activities take place, from bottling to labelling, and the factory employs 10 people between the ages of 18 and 31 years, including several managers, paying at least double the Belize minimum wage. Naledo employees also receive training in business, bookkeeping, food safety and entrepreneurship. The Truly Turmeric product reached the finals of the 2018 SIAL Innovation Awards and is currently available in 24 outlets across Belize. The paste is also exported to 650 stores in Canada, including Whole Foods and Choices Markets. Having found a distributor in the Bahamas, Naledo is keen to expand to the rest of the Caribbean and in 2019, the company will begin exporting to the US and will introduce five new beverage products that use Belizean turmeric.
Support Black Poppy Rose www.blackpoppyrose.org info@blackpoppyrose.org
Natalie Dookie Caribbean Business Development Consultant / Caribbean Business Writer This article was first published by Spore magazine. Republished with the kind permission of Spore. Thanks to Natalie Dookie and Susanna CartnellThorp of Spore magazine.
Photo courtesy Spore magazine. spore.cta.int https://spore.cta.int/en/production/all/art icle/wild-turmeric-turns-a-trade-in-belizesid054f7eb51-ed4f-481d-98658616fd01c31e 10
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The Effervescent Charmaine Forde settling in Florida. After decades abroad, doing live shows and hosting TV shows and her own radio show at WHTY 1600AM, Forde returned home to Trinidad in March 2018. Her return to Trinidad was one of anticipation and bated breath of acceptance. She was unsure if people knew who she was or, if at all, people of T&T remembered her. Her fears soon diminished with her first instalment of We Kinda Jazz at the Kaiso Blues Café in Port of Spain. She was received with rapturous welcome at Kaiso Blues Café, backed by Michael Boothman and Stephen Encinas. The T&T Newsday newspaper dubbed her returned to the Trinidad music circuit as a ‘Musical Reunion’ Forde admits. “I didn’t think I was such a celebrity in Trinidad.” She told Culturepulse. “Trinidad is all music. It is the pressure valve that releases the tensions of the country, it relieves all
By David Kalloo The younger generation of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) may not know the name Charmaine Forde, but the old bards in the music industry certainly know of the honey-voice effervescent Charmaine Forde. Like many of the musical professionals in Trinidad and Tobago, Scouting for Talent was a launching pad for young talent and, Forde was no exception. The talent show helped to propel her career into the entertainment arena. Her collaboration with Michael Boothman and Carl Jacobs in the 80s gave her hits such as ‘Waiting for Love’, ‘Hero’ and her cover of Bobby Coldwell’s ‘What you Won’t Do for Love’. Her soulful timbre captivated the nation making her one of the most formidable female vocalists of the era. Forde’s success at home craved the bigger stage and, she eventually left T&T travelling across the Caribbean islands before migrating to Canada before finally 12
Living up to her nickname, Champagne Charmaine, the Trinidad Guardian describes her performance as ‘fine wine’ giving a ‘sparkling performance’. Forde’s resounding return to T&T music circuit has been firmly established as her fans eagerly await the next helping of, We Kind Jazz.
stress levels.” Since her return to T&T she has graced the musical stage with King David Rudder, Carl and Carol Jacobs, Michael Boothman, Sandra Hamilton, Clint DeCoteau, Jonathan Hunsley and Stephen Encinas. Charmaine Forde has not lost her sultry timbre and her vivacious magnetism mesmerising the audience with her repertoire of hits from greats such as Nina Simone, Natalie Cole, Patti Labelle, Nancy Wilson, The Emotions and even jazzing up the Soca anthem, Sugar Bum Bum. Forde says; “I am humbled by the warm and welcomed reception of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. I also want to thank Kaiso Blues Café for offering me a comfortable space where I can ‘Keep Jazz alive’. I look forward to working with the younger generation and incorporating all genres as time progresses.”
All photos courtesy Charmaine Forde. From Top: Charmaine Forde, Forde with Lisa Wickham, Forde with Janelle Penny Commissiong and Forde with Reina Caldero at Synergy
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A one-day conference
BRAZIL AND SPANISH AMERICA: RELATIONSHIPS AND COMPARISONS Institute of Latin American Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London In 2010 Leslie Bethell wrote a provocative essay in the Journal of Latin America Studies entitled ''Brazil and Latin America''. In raising the question ''Is Brazil part of Latin America?” the essay generated, and continues to generate, considerable debate. Following the publication of Leslie’s new book, Brazil: Essays in History and Politics (ILAS, 2017), the conference aims to explore further the theme of Brazil’s relationship with the rest of Latin America, past and present, and explore comparisons between the two regions. With the participation of Leslie Bethell, the conference will examine the following themes: 1. Historical Perspectives: Ori Preuss (Tel Aviv University), James Woodard. Monclair, USA, Mariana Guimarães A. da Silveira Federal (Fluminense University). 2. Historical and Regional Perspectives: Robert Howes (King’s College London), Andrew Nickson (University of Birmingham), Juan Pablo Ferrero (University of Bath). 3. State Formation: Regional and Global Perspectives: Guilherme Celestino (King’s College London, Anthony Pereira (Brazil Institute, Kings College London), Andrew Hurrell (University of Oxford). 4. Cultural Comparisons: Giulia Champion (Warwick University), David Lehmann (University of Cambridge), Vinicius Mariano de Carvalho (King’s College London). For the full programme and registration see: https://ilas.sas.ac.uk/events/event/17882 Registration: Standard £20, Student/Retired £10. The conference is generously supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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Notting Hill Carnival – Is it just a street party? The role of dance in Carnival Mas By Caroline Muraldo
the West Africans had also brought their own equally important masking traditions with them, if mentioned at all, is made to sound quite secondary although masking traditions in West Africa were also extremely important cultural events that were also elaborate spectacles of costume, song, dramatic performance, religious symbolism and dance.
Notting Hill Carnival is often referred to in popular media as ‘a street party’ while those who understand the genesis from which Notting Hill carnival is derived, disagree. This article intends to explain the reasons underlying this difference in perspective for which we need to look back to the beginning and will consider the issue through the strand of dance.
Masquerade in West Africa was and continues to be, a significant part of the fabric of their societies, which includes members of secret societies wearing masks and costumes to represent all the classes of supernatural beings from ancestors to gods who they believed affect their daily lives such as the god of fertility, god of fire or god of rain as examples. The masquerade is a performance of song, dramatization of spiritual or ethical issues and ritual dance. Masquerade in fact symbolically bridges the earthly and spiritual worlds strongly influencing the fabric of society for good or evil, with the masqueraders becoming divine possessed emissaries by means of music and dance that are feared revered
While there is clear evidence of Caribbean Masquerade making traditions, especially the most developed mas in the Eastern Caribbean from Trinidad, on the streets of Notting Hill Carnival usually accompanied by the most popular Soca tunes of the year, there is sadly little to represent the Trinidad Carnival dance traditions that would give the observer any clue to the rich historical past of the utilisation of dance within carnival. When examining accounts of the beginning of Trinidad carnival it is often stated that Trinidad carnival dates back to 1780’s with the arrival of French Catholic planters and their slaves who along with the free coloureds, staged elaborate masquerade balls at Christmas and as a “farewell to the flesh” before the Catholic Lenten season, with each group mimicking the other in their masking and entertainment. The fact that 15
as well as loved and respected by traditional communities.
the clan that this person should be subject to trial,
The inherent ritual dances are an inextricable part of West African masquerade with characters recognisable by their specific characteristic dance movements.
Masquerade therefore has a spiritual, religious and secular role. Masqueraders could even override community elder’s serious decisions as they were considered messengers for the spiritual world even to the point of the decision as to whether they should go to war.
So important are the masquerades that they may be called upon to implement any task civic or personal from honouring the dead as the Egwugu of the Asaba region of Nigeria or to paying obeisance to the gods of plenty as thanksgiving for a good crop as in the New Yam festival held every August in Ghana to pacify angry spirits’ (a practice still retained in Jamaica) to making social commentary using comedy to satirise and expose
It must be borne in mind that within the continent of Africa, dance is part of a whole, that is essentially, all forms of creativity, unlike in this part of the world, these various arts forms are not considered as separate entities that merely come together sometimes but rather they are all part and parcel of the same one rich, meaningful and exciting strand of the tapestry of life and essentially continues to enjoy this status. This was the African masquerade traditions that the enslaved Africans brought to the development of carnival in Trinidad and which is transformed in the Americas with similar developments across the Caribbean into Carnival Mas or ‘Mas’ Evidence of this influence upon Mas is echoed by one Trinidad’s renowned Mas makers Peter Minshall who said:
immoral behaviour as performed by The Ogbo of a south –Eastern Nigerian region and remind people to honour moral and ethical or social codes.
Mas Is a powerful communicative expression of the spiritual and physical energy of human beings Mas is a combination of music dance sculpture and painting. Mas is communication with gesture and movement, it is danced, it is played, from the speech of the Midnight Robber to the extraordinary brilliance of the fancy sailor
In addition masquerade can play a more serious role as tools of law and order instruments of the divine justice that can catch criminals, meter out sentences and resolve disputes between neighbouring clans and ethnic groups e.g. if something is stolen a specific masquerader may ‘divine’ the person who committed the crime and dance in front of the prime suspect in order to signify to the rest of 16
It should also be known that in Britain and Europe during the 18th century anything to do with the body was frowned upon including dance. With the advent of the industrial revolution, the village greens where villagers gathered as communities to interact including to dance together were enclosed and the people were forced into moving to the growing cities to work in the factories. Combined with religious repression of festivals along with the new work ethic required by the new ways of working, dance increasingly became no longer part of everyday life.
be unidentifiable. This would create a type of game to see if a guest could determine each other's identities. This added a humorous effect to many masquerades and enabled a more enjoyable version of typical balls. Masquerade balls were also a feature of European carnival season included in pageants and triumphal processions as part of court life. The common features of European carnival in addition to the wearing of costumes and masks were excessive consumption of alcohol, meat and other foods that were be abstained from during lent, mock battles, such as food fights, social satire and mockery of authorities, the grotesque body displaying exaggerated features especially large noses, bellies, mouths, and phalli or elements of animal bodies, abusive language and degrading acts such as depiction of diseases and grotesque death along with a general reversal of everyday social norms. This followed the legacy of earlier festivals traditions of the Egyptian, Greeks and Roman civilisations.
Work that was essentially carried out by manual labour was regarded as much lower in status than work that was the result of mental capacity such as office work. Dancers using the whole body for their craft were not generally seen as people of good repute to the point where dancers were not allowed to be buried within church grave yards but instead just outside, a far cry from the respect shown to dancers in West Africa.
Not surprisingly dance has no real significant expressive or important role to play within this type of events.
Nevertheless, the wealthy did dance with the dancing master of France teaching the latest dances performed at gatherings for all marriage celebrations and masquerade balls where individuals dressed in elaborate costumes during a grand affair of foods, singing and dancing while enjoying anonymity for an evening. Masquerade balls were sometimes set as a game among the guests. The masked guests were supposedly dressed so as to
Even today while there are well funded dance companies albeit within a small number of dance forms here in England along with the constant exposure of dance on TV, the writer of this article has found that as someone who has been teaching dance in schools for many years, the usual attitude towards dance as a 17
subject demonstrates is a clear pervasive lack of appreciation and understanding of the power of dance as an area of study.
Canboulay became a symbol of freedom and defiance. In response, the British colonial government outlawed drumming, stick fighting, masquerading, African-derived religions (like those of the Orisha faith and the Spiritual Shouter Baptists or Shango Baptists), and even tried to suppress the steelpan – but was never able to stamp out what has become a hallmark of Trinidadian identity.
There is a strange dichotomy both here and in the Caribbean that while dancers can be lauded on stage and in social settings there is a tendency to still not consider being a dancer a ‘desirable profession’ It follows that if the profession is not valued the profession there is no real reason to truly value the work. This however leads onto another concern which is how dance is perceived and the nature of its value which requires a separate discussion, however it is suffice to state that this dichotomy is the result of negative cultural influences. The concept of ‘Carnival’ as opposed to ‘masquerade’ is a actually a Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox festive season, adopting and assimilating the popular pagan roman spring festival that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent, according to Wikipedia. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival in this part of the world typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, masks, and interestingly regarded as a public street party.
This masking and mimicry merged over time with the Calinda – or stick fighting accompanied by chanting and drumming – and rituals of Canboulay to become a Jamette – or underclass – masquerade. Post emancipation the Colonialists abandoned carnival as the ex-slaves used the festival space to celebrate the end of slavery bringing their Canboulay and African masquerade, drums and dancing into the carnival space, the festival eventually found a home on the Monday and Tuesday before Lent and was adopted as a symbol of Trinidadian
The influence of both the African and European strands blended together to inform the development of carnival in Trinidad and across the Caribbean region. For the cultural groups, masks and mimicry were an essential part of the ritual emancipation of slaves in 1838, 18
culture during movement.
the
independence
This is to name but a few as there are so many more such as The Dame Lorraine, Jab Jab, Wild Indian, Bookman and The Midnight Robber etc Some of these traditions have endured, but most of them are fading fast, replaced by the beads and feathers of Brazilian style costumes.
An array of characters developed during early carnival including ‘The bat’ which used bat like movements crawling, flapping, dancing on his toes, and folding his wings in a series of choreographed movements, imitating a real bat. Those who danced this role often enough would develop their movements over time to truly resemble the bat.
At the other end of the spectrum of the significant utilisation of dance within carnival presentations, in more recent
There was also the ‘Burrokeet’ who mimics the antics of a donkey this character dances the Burrokeet dance which originated Venezuela and the ‘Dragon’ who when confronted by a pool of water on the road must dance in submission to the Imp king before he can attempt to jump over the water after being taunted by the little imps. Then was is the ‘Fancy Clowns’ who had their own dances and perhaps more well know are probably the ‘Fancy Sailors’ who have several dances to go along with the sailor mas portrayal, such as the Bote, Crab, Marrico, Pachanga, Rock de Boat, Skip Jack and the Camel Walk. The dance movement of each of these characters were an inextricable part of these portrayals.
years, are the productions by great mas artists such as Wayne Berkeley, George Bailey and Peter Minshall, quoted earlier. These mas men employed all the artistic strands to create amazing spectacles that not only entertained but made social comment, incorporating the ancestral influence more akin to the masquerades of West Africa. Trinidad Carnival, the global model for Caribbean carnival is driven by what is popular and promoted. In more recent years businesses and the middle class have gentrified and popularised the festival over the last century, with formal competitions and committees. Mas bands have become a money-making venture selling for profit skimpy mas for the experience of a rolling party or jam. There are, however, still some sectors of society that consider carnival as too lewd 19
or morally unacceptable to participate or even spectate. This stems not only from the acts which clearly belong in the bedroom masquerading as dance even on children’s day at Notting Hill Carnival for example but also due to the historical perceptions and practices of carnival and aspects which have
The fact is that true dance helps to brings costumes alive, enhancing the boundless creativity from which these creations spring, dance itself is a vehicle through which to make social comment and educate. When combined with its sister strands, dance can contribute a powerful dynamic that is a mistake to ignore. Dance is also a powerful strand of masquerade as shown within this article that needs to be more fully recognised, as does the fact that while what happens at Notting Hill is commonly called ‘carnival’ and hailed as ‘a street party’ the participants are actually called ‘masqueraders’ who ‘play mas’ because it is an important artistic expression of culture that is firmly rooted in West African masquerade traditions.
marred this important cultural expression over the years. While the nature of artistic expression is that it changes and develops over time, it can be justifiably considered that this is possible that the development can go into perhaps not the best direction; after all such developments can be influenced by pressures that are not beneficial to the arts. The role of true dance expression within Carnival at Notting Hill has significantly diminished. The reasons why are many folds, tied up in the event’s cultural legacy, influences and political issue. The challenge to any carnival organiser in the UK is to grapple with the dichotomy of the dance in masquerade and the street party. They are the custodians of Caribbean Arts where dance is fatally neglected and ignored in the mas band moving presentations on the carnival route. Notting Hill Carnival and the art it produces will be the measure by how we tackle this real problem now and in the coming generations
Caroline Muraldo Dancer/Teacher/Choreographer Actress and Artistic Director at Muraldo D.C
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Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith Sends a Clear Warning to Criminals In T&T: Turn Away Before It’s Too Late Commissioner Griffith said in a debrief that. “All those who commit serious crime should turn away from their illegal activities before it is too late.” It is a clear warning to the criminal elements in Trinidad and Tobago that their lawlessness could be short-lived. The commissioner reiterated’ “I intend to make life difficult for criminals and the TTPS will take this fight to criminals to ensure the removal of illegal drugs and weapons from the nation’s streets. This is fighting talk from a Commissioner with just seven months on the job. Commissioner Griffith has so far demonstrated his determination to modernise and restructure the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) in order to maximise its effectiveness in the fight against crime in Trinidad and Tobago. As part of his ongoing commitment, Mr Griffith travelled to the United Kingdom in January where he was in dialogue with several law enforcement officials and agencies; including Metropolitan Police, Scotland Yard, National Cyber Crime Centre and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre. Discussions on improving Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic and Canine Units and how best to utilise the manpower
CoP Gary Griffith
By David Kalloo Since receiving his official letter in August 2018 as the appointed Commissioner of Police of Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Gary Griffith appears to be leading from the frontline in the fight against crime in the twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago. In January this year, Commissioner Griffith led his first major operation against crime in Trinidad and Tobago with Operation Strike Back. The exercise involved over 1000 officers with Griffith at the helm in a 48hr lock down. The operation yielded 138 arrests and the seizure of 8 firearms along with a quantity of ammunition. A total 1300 stop and search was carried out and 22 drug blocks searched where an undisclosed quantity of narcotics was found.
CoP Gary Griffith leading the fight against crime from the frontline.
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strength of the TTPS and maximise its operational effectiveness.
To date, Commissioner Griffith has been clear and direct of the standards and behaviour he expects of officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. According to a law practitioner in the diaspora. “Judging from their demeanour, officers appear to be proud to be regaining the trust and support of the public.” This, along with the changes that is being prioritised by Commissioner Gary Griffith can only benefit the country in the long term in its fight to rid the country of the curse of violent crimes and restore the much-needed confidence in the Police Service.
Not everyone has endorsed Commissioner Griffith’s policies on policing. Some believe that the commissioner has been all mouth and no action. However, the country seems to be evenly split regarding his policies. Given that Mr Griffith has been in the job for just seven months, the people of Trinidad and Tobago are slowly beginning to have trust in the police service again. During an online survey with a cross section of citizens at home and those in the diaspora, there was a mixed reaction to crime in Trinidad and Tobago. While many of those surveyed suggests that Commissioner Griffith was in fact physically active and aggressive in driving down crime in T&T, they believe it’s too early to measure success. Asked whether Griffith has adopted a Burroughs style approach to crime fighting, the majority has identified that the commissioner has brought his own initiatives and he needs more time to prove himself.
In a previous statement on local TV Commissioner Griffith reminded the nation that. “This is not a popularity contest. I am doing what is required and within the law.” The Commissioner has already put into motion his 78-point plan to reform the TTPS and while there is a percentage of people who criticise the commissioner he said, “95% of lawabiding citizens are in full support of what I am doing.” Photos courtesy TTPS website and Newsday TT
One noticeable difference since taking office is the reduction of homicides. The statistics for January 2019 was cut in half compared to the same period in 2018. Concerned citizens, both at home and in the diaspora believes that Griffith’s initiatives and approach are just what the country needs presently. 23
Africa: Massive Growth Opportunities Africa has always been a continent that western civilisation exploited for its diverse natural resources and let’s not forget, a labour commodity for over 300 years. In recent years the Chinese have posited their presence on the continent and following on the Chinese heels are many other western nations ready to rape Africa of its resources.
manager Kamal Mokdad told the Financial Times “Almost all African markets still offer massive growth opportunities.” However, harnessing this prospective growth means having the right structure and value proposition. Rival banks are heavily investing and prospecting businesses in Madagascar, Tunisia, Congo and Cameroon. There has already been a $500m takeover of Barclays’ Egyptian unit and negotiations are afoot to acquire assets in Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda as well as other African countries.
However, Africa isn’t just sitting back and allowing itself to be swallowed up by western conglomerates. One of the fastest growing African digital companies APO and Africa Wire has proven to be one of the most efficient communications channels across 54 countries on the continent. Morocco known as the gateway to Africa have also been investing in Sub-Sharan Africa with over
Since the commodities crash in and the nose-dive of oil prices, African economies have struggled to lure foreign investors. France and Spain are keen to invest as well as some Arab countries. Countries such as Japan, France, Italy and Germany are also investing in building solar power plants and wind farms in Africa as part of the continent’s focus on renewable energy. Currently, most of these investments are concentrated in Morocco as it is seen as more stable region and Africa’s ‘future engine for growth’ according to World Bank predictions. Sceptics have argued that too often African aspirations (FT) have been depressing and high levels of risk remain a key factor especially with availability of data on regional trade and economic uplift. Investors are hopeful and has demonstrated that investing ‘could project influence well beyond the west African countries’ (FT) where it has historical links. Angola is currently forging ahead with a series of policies to stabilise, reform and broaden the country’s economy. On February 27, the country’s Minister of Commerce will hold
$10,2bn (FT) between 2012 and 2018. Three of Morocco’s biggest banks have increased their presence in Africa by some 23% (FT). Insurance firms as well as mining companies and telecommunications has made the continent a reliable source for foreign direct investment. The pursuit for pan-African growth is an agenda that is at the heart of Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP), one of Morocco’s biggest banks. General 24
talks at Chatham House, London where he will discuss his government plans to diversify its export products and well as building new international trading relationships.
The Gunners ‘Moments of high tension – involving a closeted sexuality, unrequited love and hidden parentage – erupt from a narrative that wrongfoots you with its careful pace’ Daily Mail
South Africa still faces segregation in the aftermath of apartheid where despite significant advancements there is still a major shortfall of black South Africans in science, technology and innovation. One former minister cited that this may be due to the lack of opportunities at home and consequently we have ‘suffered a massive brain drain.” Prof Chibale said. “People don’t expect Africans to lead in innovation.” Claiming that ‘Afropessimism’ is also a debilitating factor. This is not a view held of Africans by outsiders, it is very much a perception by African themselves.
The Gunners used to be inseparable. A gang of latchkey kids, they took their name from the doorbell of an abandoned house they played in as children – and drank in as teenagers. Together they navigated the difficult journey from childhood to adolescence and learnt their first vital lessons about becoming adults; Mikey, Sam, Lyn, Alice, Jimmy and Sally are more like a family than just friends.
Not everyone endorses the scepticism of the pessimist. While there is a ‘multipronged’ approach to correcting ills of the past on the continent. The Global Entrepreneurship Monito (GEM) have identified areas where entrepreneurs can make a difference. One of them is to create a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs to establish and influence investors. Steps has been taken in South Africa to assist small businesses who has the potential to employ 20 or more people within a five year start up. It may seem a roundabout way of supporting development but creating jobs aids in boosting the economy. In the long-term these very companies can be the ones leading innovation and attracting not just government funding but financial ventures from global conglomerates that invest back into Africa and, the continent can truly say Africa is open for business.
One day, Sally suddenly stopped speaking to them and wouldn’t explain why. Years later, Sally’s suicide forces the Gunners back together for her funeral. All of them have secrets they are reluctant to share, secrets which mean they must reassess their happy memories and finally be honest about the reasons Sally left. This is a generous and poignant novel about the difficulty – and the joy – of being a true friend. Courtesy Serpents Tail 3 Holford Yard Bevin Way London WC 1X 9HD Email: info@profilebooks.com
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Kitch: a novel by Anthony Joseph By David Kalloo There is a poetic aura in the language that Anthony Joseph uses as he charts the life of Aldwyn Roberts, the Lord Kitchener, one of the greatest calypso icons in his biographical novel -Kitch. Joseph reaches beyond the grassroots of colonial Trinidadian linguistics as he narrates his story capturing the reader and drawing them inside from the very first paragraph with lines such as; “she has been there since dew-wet morning.” Bringing to life the woes and labour of the vendor as she earns a living. From here Joseph begins to unravel the hardships of the calypsonian and the struggles of being accepted as a true calypsonian in the city of Port of Spain. Like a master seaman, Joseph navigates the turbulent waters that Kitch endured during his early career travelling around the other islands, St Thomas, the Dutch islands of Aruba and Curacao before making the big venture to the US. However, it was his voyage on the Empire Windrush bound for England from Jamaica in 1948 that the portrait of the Grandmaster began to take form.
Kitch is intricately woven with fact and fiction and at times, if you had no knowledge of the calypso icon, you would be non-the-wiser to determine where fiction materialises into fact. This multifaceted portrait of Lord Kitchener unfolds through Joseph’s imaginative view of Kitch, the calypso icon. Joseph has fine-tuned this novel beautifully and, presented through accounts from those who had the privileged to know Kitchener from his embryonic stages of calypso to his maturity as a bard among bards that earned him the accolade of the Grandmaster.
Joseph unravels Kitchener and reassembles him in Kitch to give a portrait of this iconic Trinidadian calypsonian - the Grandmaster. A true international artist who asserted himself as one of the greatest calypsonians ever. Joseph has produced a fitting tribute to Lord Kitchener. Kitch will no doubt be the literary archive that future generations will source when seeking to unravel the true genius of Kitch. Joseph has set the benchmark for biographies of other great calypso artists in the Caribbean of whom little is known in the academic world.
Joseph masters this narration of Kitchener’s skill at composing calypsos, he notes; ‘He never have to write it down. Gone back home now and have to keep it in his head, trap it in there, like a humming bird in a bottle.’ If Kitch knew how to trap a melody and composition in his head, he knew too, his ambitions and he boldly announced to musician Gaston Aubrey. “Gus boy, I feel I going to down town. I going down Port of Spain to m-m-m- may name. Arima eh have n-n-nothing for me.”
Published by Peepal Tree Press (2018) www.peepaltreepress.com
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Blind Brexit
The UK without a doubt have an uphill task in negotiating and navigating the turbulent waters of Brexit. It has divided not just the government but also the opposition party as well. Neither ‘hard Brexit’ or ‘soft Brexit’ has been an easy pill to swallow. Despite two years of negotiations to hammer out a Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, there has been no compromise on either side with fear that the UK would revert to World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership as it crashes out of the EU with a ‘No Deal’. Should there be a ‘No Deal’ there is a transition process under the European Union Withdrawal Act (EUWA) to ensure a smooth transition which could run until 31 December 2020.
As Britain prepares to exit the European Union on March 29 with uncertain sureties as to what would be the true outcome of Brexit. prime minister Theresa May stance that “Brexit means Brexit” maybe a catchphrase that will haunt her for the rest of her political career, or maybe not! Brexit may not indeed mean Brexit according to Helen Mountfield, Q.C, a barrister in England. In a paper published in January 2018 titled, ‘Can the United Kingdom Change its Mind?’ She questions ‘whether a formal (and
At best, there are just two options on the table presently; leaving the EU under the Withdrawal Agreement with a transitional period or, leaving on Exit day (March 29) without any deal, agreement or transitional period. While a no deal will no doubt have an immediate effect on businesses as any new EU law would cease to apply from 29 March. In effect there would be no framework for the UK’s future relationship with the EU and UK trade would therefore run on WTO terms.
legally binding) decision to leave the European Union has already been taken as a matter of national constitutional law, or whether all the prime minister has done so far, and all she has the statutory authority’ to do is present the government’s intention to leave. What further complicates Brexit is that come March 29, 2019 if no ‘statutory authority is given before March 29, and no constitutionally valid decision to withdraw has been made, and in any event, the government could withdraw the notification of an intention to leave the European Union and decide to remain. So, despite the historic referendum held in June 2016 with a turnout of 72,21% and a 51.89% voting to leave and Theresa May formally triggering Article 50, it could well result in the UK staying in the European Union.
Presently, there is a lack of clarity regarding to what kind of relationship terms that will be in place post-Brexit. This has been blurred further with the recent defeat that Theresa May suffered in parliament this month, sending Brexit negotiations in a tail-spin which could see the UK leave in a Blind Brexit. So why is leaving the European Union such a complex process? According to Helen Mountfield triggering Article 50 27
forces the “UK government and the European Union to address the complex challenge of unravelling the many threads that bind them, and to start a new course of separation and autonomy.” Casting our minds back at the Greece crisis in… there was outrage and warnings of a European collapse if Greece exited the EU. This should have sent alarm bells ringing within the EU to put an action plan in place should a member state express its intention to leave, as the UK has done. UK foreign affairs have become largely the purview of Brussels, Brexit however, ‘necessitates
immigration and better NHS funding. Both the EU and the UK was not prepared for either a ‘leave’ or ‘remain’ result. In the UK, both the government and people had no clear position on negotiating its withdrawal from the EU. Two years down the line, there is no consistent indicator as to the UK’s position on Brexit. If the current trend continues it could see the UK exit with a Blind Brexit.
David Kalloo Images from CIPD and Pixabay
a deep understanding of its international law implications on both sides of the English Channel, in order to chart the stormy sea of negotiating and advancing beyond separation’ as outlined by Helen Mountfield’s paper. The paper also explores the challenges that to be addressed in ‘the diverse fields of trade, financial services, insolvency, intellectual property, environment and human rights.’ These statutory binding complexities form part of what has made leaving the European Union such a difficult process. It must be noted too, neither the UK government or the European Union expected the result from the June 2016 Referendum that voted for leave after being sold a premise based on 28
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The annual Miami Rum Festival will be held on 17 and 18th May 2019 at Coral Gables Florida, where it began life 11 years ago with just 54 runs and 150 rum enthusiasts.
rum reputations are made. Whether you’re a rum connoisseur or simply wanting to know more about rum, the Miami Rum Festival should be paramount in your calendar. Visitors can expect to sample rums from producers attending and showcasing their finest rums to the world. Collectors, connoisseurs, enthusiasts and amateurs alike will all be there to sample rums such a; Plantation, Naked in Jamaica, Bones Aged Rum, Angostura 1919, Goslings Papa Seal Single Barrel, Appleton Special, Diplomatico Añejo, Cockspur 5 Star, Don Q Gold and many more famous and, lesser known rums from around the world.
The festival is now the world’s largest gathering of rum experts and professionals under one roof. This year Coral Gables Women’s Club in Florida is the historic setting where a wide spectrum of elegant and intimate rum tastings will take place. Visitors can look forward to navigating through the myriad of rums from all corners of the globe and, punctuated with seminars and live demonstrations of cocktail making. Experts will be on hand to show and share techniques and recipes in a celebration of Cane Spirits.
For further information about the Miami Rum Festival, please see links below. https://www.youtube.com/c/RumMinute http://www.MiamiRumFest.com http://www.robsrum.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzZ0NjV b3xg
The US is the largest consumers of rum with almost 40% average of all sales. It is not surprising, Florida is the number one state for rum and Miami the number one for all local rum market worldwide. Rum is intricately connected with both North and South America and the Caribbean and forms part of the economy and cultures in the region. The connection with sugar and rum has a long history and the region continues to produce world class rums for the demanding rum market. The Miami Rum Festival will host an incredible range of cane spirits and where new products will be launched and where 30
Barbados Ban Single-use Plastic Straws plastic goes some way to ensure the protection of our pristine beaches and crystal-clear water that we are famous for. Attracting guests is our priority as we seek to enhance our sustainable credentials and be an environmentally friendly destination.� Barbados is home to the second-largest hawksbill turtle nesting population in the Caribbean and are very keen to maintain its position in conservation of marine life, especially endangered species. Barbados have expressed its expectation of becoming a fossil free country by 2030 and have a renewable energy platform. The south west coast of Carlisle Bay has already been designated a marineprotected area in the drive to preserving the marine environment and boost the health of reef habitats.
Barbados will impose a ban from April 2019 on the import and use of single-use plastic straws in the country. The announcement comes as Barbados joins a growing list of countries committed effort to halt the use of plastic. At a press conference in Barbados, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy, Karl Humphrey explained that by 2020 the ban will include all petrobased plastic bags, with the exemption of packaging used in pharmaceuticals/medicine, hygiene and
materials used in food preservation. Barbados is heavily dependent on tourism and is committed in the fight against plastic pollution and preserving its tourism. In 2018, the country had 623,293 visitors. The UK Director of Barbados Tourism, Cheryl Carter said; “Plastic contributes to contamination of our marine species. Banning single-use 31
Andrea Levy
7 March 1956 –3214 February 2019