Stemming from African roots as all Carnivals throughout the region do, twenty-eight (28) persons from the AFRIKULTURE STILT WALKERS INC. (Bwa Bwa) travelled to Barbados from July 28 – August 7, 2013 to play a part in this year‟s Crop Over celebrations.
Members, parents and friends reveled in the Summer‟s Sweetest Festival in an aim to preserve one of the many cultural art forms among the young persons, with an avenue for its continued development. It was most fitting this time around since it culminated with Emancipation Day activities in Barbados.
The group was sponsored by the Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (DOMLEC).
Members attended church service at the All Souls Anglican Church, toured the Harrison‟s Cave, enjoyed sea bathing and watersports at Browne‟s Beach, jumped up at Foreday Morning and danced to the pulsating music and atmosphere at Cohobblopot and Mia Mottley‟s “Dis Gotta Be Mas” charitable event. The stilt walkers also put on unforgettable presentations at the Bridgetown Market. The rest of the trip was focused on visiting attraction sites such as Heroes Square and Liberty Arch and of course shopping.
The Bwa Bwa group spreads Caribbean unity throughout the many Carnivals it has explored regionally and internationally, but this was its first time in Crop Over. The highlight of the trip was on Grand Kadooment Day (August Monday) – the climax of Crop Over celebrations. Dressed to impress in „Feenix Fyah‟ and „Souswel Souwi‟ costumes, spectators at the National Stadium were flabbergasted and delighted to see the visitors display aspects of their rich culture, especially from the youngest ones in the midst. It was described as the “lengthiest route” to parade thus far but nonetheless very exhilarating.
The experience in Barbados was successful because members were able to study, improve and sharpen their skills from their counterparts. Additionally, they maneuvered impressive acts from the start at Warrens right down to the Spring Garden Highway.
The Afrikulture Stilt Walkers Inc. is presently one of the largest performing groups in Dominica with over thirty-five (35) walkers. The group has no intention or expectation of pecuniary gains but simply to appreciate the joys that come from preserving and nurturing their culture by keeping the stilt walking art-form alive. Boys and girls start from the age of five (5) years and practice at the Botanical Gardens, Roseau on a weekly basis over 5 feet tall stilts.
Become a stilt walker today!
CONTACT PERSONS:
GROUP LEADER: FERDINAND WEBSTER (1-767-225-2782)
DEPUTY LEADER: CASSANDRA DEWHURST (1-767-440-3278, 245-5103)
The little ones were amazing to watch strutting their stuff on the 2013 road march song “hold your head, hold your waist … roll”.
they should join the knowyourculture group on eastern parkway for laborday in new York.it would be a big show of culture we would love to see in the diospora
Bwa bwa welcomes this collaboration – let’s plan this for the near future; I tried getting on board with them to parade in 2012 but wasn’t successful; contact me [email protected] so we can dialogue
Despite any kind of assistance from the Government authorities, this group represented the country to the best of their ability. Hats off to all who travelof them.
Respect to DOMLEC for sponsoring this… and to the parents who created and continue to drive this group. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK…!!!
Nice love it. Go Ferdinand.
Does ‘stick walking’ have a voo-doo connotation? The devil on a stick, and a witch on a broom stick… Dominica has a lot of that devilistication…
Go an sit down in your naughty corner, ou toh sot. Besides Dominican soucouyant doesn’t use broom, they does use ball of fire and Dominican devil doesn’t walk on stick, he does be riding in transport with government plates. Mwen pas ni avocat
Why be so negative? Exposure of our culture should be looked at as something positive. Geez…give the group a break and get on board with their efforts.
Great idea. Hope we were able to observe some of the positive things from Crop Oer festival and emulate them. Saw it on the internet was vey impressed with them and very happy with the Martinique group who were decenctly clad but had so much energy and clean fun. Proves we do not hve to be naked on the street to have fun.
Beautiful, we must cherish and appreciate our culture and our roots.
Loving the vibes…cultural tourism at its best