Citation for Cultural Elder 2012 Henry Alexander

Editor’s note: Henry Alexander of Warner has been named Cultural Elder for 2012 for his efforts in preserving the nation’s cultural heritage. He was recognized at the Heritage Day ceremony in Warner on Sunday. Below is the citation read in recognizing him.

Mr. Henry Alexander, the son of Hodge and Tirina Alexander (both deceased) was born in the village of Warner on February 13, 1940. He attended the Warner Government School and left in Standard VII at the age of sixteen years. After leaving school he took up farming, assisting his parents, who themselves were ardent farmers.

As a young boy growing up, Henry was summoned by a family who had a love for traditional music. His father Hodge ‘Chicki’ Alexander owned a Jing Ping Band, that comprised other siblings, including Elue Alexander on the Tambou. The Chiki Jing Ping Band, as it was called, performed at dances, village feasts, funeral wakes and major festivals all over the island. Although surrounded by family who had love for traditional music, Henry only got involved in traditional music after his father’s death in 1986.

In 1999, along with Jeff Christopher Warrington, Henry helped form the Warner Jing Ping Band. He learned to play the Tambou from his brother Elue Alexander, who was also a member of the band. Not wanting to compete with his bigger brother on the Tambou, Henry began learning to play the Mouth Organ. He always had his Mouth Organ handy and would practice many hours each day, striving for perfection. In his quest for perfection with the Mouth Organ, Henry was equally at ease playing the Tambou. He also had a special love for traditional dances such as Heel-and-Toe Polka and Flirtation.

Having perfected the art of playing the Mouth Organ, Henry began competing in National Indepedence Celebrations. He won the national competition on two seperate occassions. As a member of the Warner Jing Ping Band, Henry also participated in the National Independence competition for several years. For his achievement in Culture, in 2010 he was awarded by the Division of Culture for his outstanding contribution to culture in the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Henry Alexander, a farmer by profession, was married in 1988 to Berylia Alexander, nee Bruno of Warner, and from the union produced five children. His wife passed in 2005 and he had not remarried.

Apart from his involvement in the traditional cultural music and dance, Henry is actively involved in other aspects of life in the community. He is an immediate past member of the St. Paul Parish Council and was also a rural constable for many years.

This cultural icon of the Warner community is also a versetile singer and has been a member of the Warner Catholic Church Choir for the past 15 years. He is surrounded in the choir by several of his children and grand children.

Henry can best be described as a farmer, father, musician, singer and community man.

The Warner community, the National Cultural Council and the Cultural Division are proud to present Mr. Henry Alexander as the Cultural Elder for 2012 and wish him God’s guidance and blessings.