Dominica’s Kalinago community is preparing to celebrate 109 years of the establishment of the Carib Territory next month.
The event is being described as an extremely significant one to the Kalinago as an indigenous race.
According to the organisers, establishing the territory was key in the preservation and existence “of our unique race and cultures for over 100 years”.
British colonial administrator Hesketh Belle is credited with having pushed 110 years ago, for the then Carib Reserve to be properly delineated and officially recognised.
“One year later, on the 4th of July 1903, he proclaimed the legal establishment of the Carib Territory known today as the Kalinago Territory. This in fact had a significant impact on the lives of the Presently 3,000 Kalinago inhabiting the allotted 3,700 acres of land,” the organisers of the coming event have explained.
They have welcomed the current situation in which “today, investors with high stakes in the tourism industry and advocates of our lovely nature island of the Caribbean can take advantage of this unique product; the Kalinago Territory and its people”.
The Kalinago have indicated that they deserve a larger share of the profits that accrue from this.
“Therefore it is up to us Kalinago to find innovative ways to market ourselves in a manner which will bring direct benefits to the Territory,” they have explained.
The planned activities are expected to be held between July 4-9.
They kick off with a July 4th Traditional torch relay, followed the next day by a beautification and clean up project.
The activities also include a “free community social at St Cyr” and a Kalinago history quiz for primary school children.
hope u all bring up sum bands;;;;;;;;;;
1. I totally agree- We deserve official recognition of the name change to KALINAGO TERRITORY.
2. I agree with the celebration of the establishment of the Kalinago Territory, it has allowed us to preserve our culture and traditions and reserved for our people who choose to retain our Kalinago heritage and identity a tiny bit of OUR island for posterity.
3. Kalinagos define ourselves, period- if you don’t like it, tough.
How many people in Dominica who identify as BLACK/NEGRO are purely BLACK?
That said- people should learn to respect and embrace all aspects of our Dominican heritage…this same people who are questioning the celebration of the Kalinago Territory should question our National Costume as well… if you study your history-this was the costume of freed Black slaves-the bourgeoise who adopted European fashion. Let us not forget our history, most of us are descendants of slaves, slave masters and the Kalinago… our culture and history is intertwined… embrace, respect and celebrate it all.
perhaps you should read the article writtenm by the powerful kalinago,you do not seem to pick up the point, are you saying had kalinago been left an island or two on their own we would abandon our culture and heritage? you are sending mixted signals.
The little bit that is remaining is dominated by black african influence, SOON ALL WILL BE OUT OF THE WINDOW.
Kalinago people, I’m very proud of you because you are testimony of how far away from our true selves we have become, as Aficans, while you have proven time and time again that all one NEEDS to do is be who you are. I applaud you for being YOU and not a Carib!
Wow!!! That is just like the 8 million Skero is giving to L I A T,
One should understand all the Caribbean islands from Puerto Rico down all the way to Trinidad & Tobago was ours to roam, fish, hunt, explore, farm, romance, etc etc freely, we traditionally owned all those lands.
Then the European invasion, Then the various treaties, among which only 4 islands were left to us, then the taking away of everything from us and finally on july 4th 1903, refugi status allowing us 30/40 families to settle on 3700acres more or less with boundaries stretching from the big Paguoa river discribed by English people and not a dry ravin in Bataca, to Wakama in C/Bruce, the reality is sad and disappointing to see today the children of the slaves are occupying 98.5% of waitikubuli, and kalinago 1.5% and you are telling me you are celebrating.celebrating what, celebration is to express joy, be merry, after some success or pleasant moment but what is so joyful or pleasant to celebrate? stupes, only fools who do not understand what they are getting into will celebrate.
The day is important to remember and observe as a mark of history that impacted on our peoples life but not to celebrate.
oh oh why rae you so disgruntled? Every one has the right to celebrate or has that right been taken away?
perhaps you did not read or if you did you most certainly cannot comprehend.
I am so excited about this upcoming Kalinago torch relay! my team and I will be participating in our traditional “wiko”!I feel honored!On creole day, Kalinagos dress up in the national wear which is of African or slave ancestor’s culture. we embrace it as part of our heritage as we are all Dominicans. so i feel proud that for the first time i can wear the traditional wear of my indigenous ancestors without joining a cultural group! thanks to the organizer and sponsors! Every Dominican, government and business should support this fantastic event! hats off!
i really feel proud to hear positive events like this happening in the Kalinago Territory! keep up the good work!
I am so excited about this upcoming torch relay! my team and i will be participating in our traditional wiko! i feel so honored! On creole day Kalinagos dress up in tradition wear, the “wob dwet” etc. the dress is of African or slave ancestor’s culture but we embrace it as part of our heritage cause we are all Dominicans. I’m very proud that finally i get to wear the dress of my indigenous ancestors for the first time without joining a kalinago cultural group. thanks to the organizer and sponsors of this super events!
i am happy that we have something to follow up with it could be worse…. but i am proud of my race so should the descendents of africa…..but talking meaningful investment and empowering the kalinago territory or carib reserve ha s been and issue for decades now
our leader rest back and take it for a ride while we depend on “public assistance”
nothing wrong in that….. thats what we say and our minds depend heavily on the government to solve our problems …. what a world …. congrats
In such a small country over 3000 acres of land thrown away to lie underdevelop. Can anyone explain that? Why? Let the Kalinago assimilate and participate in his country. This reserve is a breeding ground for underdevelopment,poverty and exploitation. No people should be placed in a museum (reservation) as art pieces after years of exploitation. Time and again we see segregation is a recipe for stagnation. WE are all one race. THE HUMAN RACE!!!!
Admin: It was Administrator Heskeith BELL, not BELLE
to the ppl who are asking if they are any kalinagoes in dominca,i say to you, yes there are still some. you will find some of them in carib territory.
That’s great but in the next 10 – 20 years, there will no longer be any more native caribs…The caribs are having kids with blacks, hardly stick to their own (this is not a bad thing, since people are free to love or have kids with who they want) but I a’m just saying the reality of the situation is that, in the near future there will no longer be native Caribs in Dominica!!
It would be a great to preserve the carib culture!
Wow.. They celebrating the establishment of the Carib terriory..
I wonder why the racism is so blatant on the nature isle?
I wonder why people who say they are Christians are so mean to each other?
Why do we step down on each other to better ourselves?
It only shows how empty and insecure we are, we Should read to enlighten ourselves, there are so many Hitlers and Pol Pots in our midst, we should examine ourselves
FIRST OFF THE KALINAGo RACE wAS THE FIRST ON DA SOIL EVEN NAMING IT. OTHER RACES WERE BROUGHT
There are no “real” Kalinagos anymore. They should start conserving their culture by first protecting their blood line.
If there are no real Kalinago, how do you expect them to protect their blood line if the line has already been broken? Can you help me understand your statement? Thanks..
@Reporter,
It is interesting that you mentioned preserving our bloodline first because whenever we as Kalinagos bring up the issue, you outsiders are the first to bawl “Racist.” “Kalinagos too fresh” “Kalinagos don’t want their children mixing with black folks” you name it.
Interesting point though. By the way, there are MANY REAL KALINAGOS in the Kalinago Territory but you will not see all of them or as much as you would like to see if you just pass on a bus on the street as a tourist.
kalinago in New york you cannot talk on behalf of Kalinago. You identify yourself as an Atkinson Man. Most of your friends are from Atkinson and other non Kalinago territory areas. So shut up!!!!!
Congrats..
Legally it is still the Carib Reserve.The Kalinagos should pressure the Government to change that.
What is the difference between Kalinago and Carib? Why in your opinion, Kalinago people should pressure the government to change their reserve name?
No, it is not. The Carib Act changed that. It is the Carib Territory now known as Kalinago Territory, though the latter is recent.
@ Kalinago in New York… Seems like i can learn about the Kalinago from you.. I am in SC, will be good if we keep in touch..
They must tell us how many years the Kalinago people had to fight to resist white supremacy. The land was not given to them, it was a settlement so that they could be left alone.
Sounds like warriors to me..
I personally will take that as the highest compliment-Uncle Tom
@ Catherine, wells i am glad that you took it as a compliment, because it was once… I don’t know why i do have so many thumbs down for saying that Kalinagos are wariors… Maybe people will prefer the term fighters, but it you look at history,how they survived and fought, they are warriors to me..