Indigenous people to celebrate Kalinago Week

Frederick said the week serves as a memory of the 1930 Carib War
Frederick said the week serves as a memory of the 1930 Carib War

Several activities are being planned as the island’s indigenous people get set to celebrate Kalinago Week 2014.

A Kalinago language inter-school competition, an alcohol and drug free day and a vigil at a war monument in the Kalinago Territory are some of the activities on the books for observing the week.

The week of activities will begin on Sunday September 14 and will run to the 21st.

Kalinago historian and member of a special events committee for the week, Cozier Frederick, said the activities are serving a dual purpose: to remember the 1930 Carib War and to educate the general public of its significance.

He said the idea of Kalinago Week actually came out of remembering the 1930 war, “as a last resistance to colonial exploitation.”

“It is basically a reminder for the Kalinago people, our children, and as a reminder of our 1930 struggle where our brothers died, our grandparents died, our ancestors died and to also enlighten the Dominican public to that fact that we are a significant part of the Dominican population and very little is known about a significant happening in 1930,” he said.

According to him, the 1930 Carib War came about when the Kalinagos were attacked by the Windward Island Police Force and were ordered by the colonial office to enter the Carib Reserve, as it was then referred to. The police were ordered to confiscate any goods that they think were smuggled into the Reserve.

Meantime Parliamentary representative for Salybia Ashton Graneau, gave the committee the assurance that Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has given a verbal agreement to contribute EC$15,000 to Kalinago Week.

The week of activities will be held under the theme: “Reclaiming our identity through language.”

Activities to mark the event are as follows:

Sunday, 14th September
-6 am- Road race from Sineku to Bataca
-1 pm- Senior Citizen treat at the Salybia Primary School
-4 pm- Ecumenical Church Service at the Kalinago Barana Aute

Monday 15th
-Radio talk show/DBS Talking Point/Marpin

Tuesday 16th
-Kalinago alcohol and drug free day

Wednesday 17th
-Revisiting Land Issues/ Panel discussion by college and university graduates at the Kalinago Barana Aute

Thursday 18th
-Kalinago Language inter-school Spelling Bee competition at the Salybia Primary School

Friday 19th
-Vigil at the Carib war monument, Kalinago names initiation and launch of the kalinago language club

Saturday 20th
-Health fair at the Salybia Health Center
-8 pm Miss Kalinago show, Princess Natari, Traditional Cuisine at the Karina Cultural village
Sunday 21st
-Traditional sports day, rally and entertainment at Gaulette River.

 

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15 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    September 19, 2014

    It was a shame, I could not find any information on times for some of these events. I really wanted to check out the panel discussion on Wednesday. More details next time.

  2. Anonymous
    September 14, 2014

    I applaud the efforts every year by the organizers. A pity I can’t be there to patronize, though. Spread the word…show your love and support Dominica!!

  3. argos
    September 13, 2014

    we hear so much about the African slaves, the black negros,, yet very little is said about the Kalinago people, our early settlers.

  4. john paul
    September 13, 2014

    Skeritt has begun His quest to undermine Chief Charles Williams.
    DNO I want to hear from my Chief,This Cozier was he not one of the candidates trying to run for the DLP? Where is the Chief?

    • john paul
      September 13, 2014

      Skeritt is a political colonizer no different from all the others!

  5. Shameless
    September 13, 2014

    WOW!! Long live the fighting memories of my ancestors!!

    May the spirit of the ancestors be pleased
    Assertive,NOT AGRESSIVE!

  6. vieille case
    September 12, 2014

    a u ok?

  7. Anonymous
    September 12, 2014

    money again. EC15,000 again anyway unions public office not getting a thing alas bondeu put a hand. firemen NURSES, TEACHERS, police officers Drs, admin staff.

  8. Say sa meme
    September 12, 2014

    ‘An alcohol free day” in the Kalinago Territory? :lol: :lol:

  9. out of south city
    September 12, 2014

    Ahmed, I agree with you concerning the part of christianity. Not only the Kalinago people but also the slaves were christianised. When the slaves left Africa they had their own languages, belief systems and culture. It is said that when the colonisers went to Afica they brought their bibles and their guns and they asked the Africans to close their eyes. When the Africans opened their eyes the colonisers had the land and the Africans had the bibles. If the African attempted to speak his or her language, their tongues were cut off. They were not allowed to read either. Some people say that Africans sold their own people into slavery but that’s not true. They were forced to do that or else they would be killed. Christianity is the white man’s religion that was forced upon the people who were colonised. It is time that we awake out of sleep to know the truth about our history as a people. The Kalinago people respected nature, just like the native American Indians, who refer to God as the Great Spirit. These native people did not destroy nature like the colonisers, who have the world in turmoil. They took from nature what they needed and shared with each other. We ought to give greater respect to the Kalinago people and stop discriminating agaist them. The Kalinagos should continue their culture and history and pass it down to the younger generation. They should preserve their culture. I believe that the Kalinagos are a great people.

    • Dinghus Shakaba
      April 12, 2018

      Yes Ahmed is correct, Kalinago should be doing more to resurrect the pre-colonization way of life. Reject European influences such as Christianity…..also….contemporary attire, modern medicine, technology such as internet and cell phones, and also social infrastructure??? (“record scratch”) huh?? what?? Ahmed, and “out of south city”
      I don’t think Christianity has very much to do all with where Kalinagos, Africans, or any other culture or nationality or other people groups are currently today (2018).
      I think much of the younger generation (40 and younger) has all but departed from those principles a long time ago but yet still blame their current social ails on whatever remnant of “western religion” remains.

  10. get real
    September 12, 2014

    bring a big band to get ppl interest in kalinago week

  11. LuvDA
    September 12, 2014

    Ahmed Popo I hear you on the Independence issue but what do you mean that they should never be part of Christianity? Christ did not die for Caribs??? Are you a “Heathen:? Obviously they know the importance of God in their lives and embrace spirituality. I have always seen the Caribs as 100% Dominican just like we the African drop-offs. As a matter of fact Dominica belong to the Caribs more than it belongs to us because they were kind enough to allow the Europeans to dock their slave ships on the shores and dump our slave ancestors off. We should be asking them for Independence rather than them asking us for Independence. How arrogant of us to take away their land and life and then have them at our mercy. Kalingo folks, I celebrate with you.

  12. ahmed popo
    September 12, 2014

    More must be done to assist the Kalinago people to become even more independent.Kalinago people should never be part of Christianity especially the Catholic Church, whereby from the 15th century instituted “The Doctrine of Discovery”.This doctrine specifically stated the domination of indigenous peoples,see the results today a people almost devoid of their way of life and their own religious beliefs.

    • discovery
      September 12, 2014

      I agree with U ahmed popo, but that’s the reality of colonized countries and people. Maybe the good question is: how taking advantage of the system to stay independant and proud?

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