The Kubulika 2, a traditional Kalinago kanawa, was launched at a ceremony at the Community Tourism Facility near the Indian River in Portsmouth last week.
The Ceremony included addresses, cultural performances, a traditional blessing and launching of the kanawa at sea.
A delegation of 50 Guadeloupeans from the Association K’NAWA travelled to Dominica for the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony were Culture Minister, Justina Charles; Minister for Kalinago Affairs, Cassius Darroux, MP for Portsmouth and Minister for Minister for Trade, Energy and Employment Ian Douglas; Mayor of Portsmouth Titus Francis; Kalinago Councillor, Louis Hill and Jean Barfleur, President of the Association K’NAWA of Guadeloupe.
The Kubulika 2 was blessed in a traditional manner by the Karina Cultural Group.
The Guadeloupean Group Mas Ka Kle, Karina and the Heartbeat Band of Portsmouth added to the generally festive atmosphere of the ceremony with their musical and dance performances.
The following day, Saturday July 25, members of the Association K’nawa, their Dominican Kalinago counterparts and the general public tested the seaworthiness of the Kubulika 2 during short expeditions in the Prince Rupert Rupert Bay area.
The Kubulika 2 is the second such kanawa to be constructed in Dominica under the auspices of the Association K’Nawa.
In 2013, the Kubulika 1 was built by a special team of Kalinago naval carpenters led by Regina Joseph.
Irreparably damaged by sea action last year, the K’NAWA Association undertook to build a second kanawa dubbed Kubulika 2 here in Dominica utilizing the same team of naval carpenters involved in the building of the first kanawa.
This time the objective was to build a 48 foot kanawa. A suitable gommier tree was identified on private property in the forests of Syndicate.
The Kubulika 2 project began in April this year and was carried out in two phases. The first phase of the construction commenced on April 11, 2015 with the felling of the gommier tree and hollowing it out. This was completed in 23 days. The kanawa was then transported to the seashore near the Indian River in Portsmouth for the second phase which entailed the completion of the kanawa and launching at sea. This was done during May and June.
The kanawa project, a form of cultural cooperation and exchange between Dominica and Guadeloupe, has yielded some benefits to Dominica in terms of job creation, tourism, promotion and the exchange of technology. These include the contracting of Kalinago naval carpenters, contracting of accommodation, catering and transportation services, visits to Dominica by members of the Association K’NAWA, media coverage in Guadeloupe and other French territories and the gaining of new experience and expertise by the team of Kalinago naval carpenters.
The construction of Kubulika 2 was coordinated locally by Cobra Tours and Yacht Services, the Discover Dominica Authority and the Division of Culture have provided logistical support for the project.
In October this year, the kanawa will travel to Marie Galante and then to Guadeloupe. The Association K’Nawa is a Guadeloupean association dedicated to the promotion of traditional seafaring traditions.
Why was the Kalinago Chief not at this launching?
Sorry but this doesn’t have an engine to cross the Chanel !!!
You all should have on your life jackets . Health and safety issues . Time Dominica put health and safety laws in place .
Where was The Klinago Chief in these celebrations
Congratulations to my Kalinago friends, keep the culture alive.
Nice. This could be a great addition to our tourism attraction. Build a couple more do scheduled paid rides from Indian river to cabrits piloted by our own kalinago people. Call it Kalinago navigation expedition. I would pay for a ride.
Absolutely great idea.