This week, we focus on Independence. On November 3, 2013, we will celebrate 35 years of independence under the theme, “One Mission, One Dominica Celebrating 35! I want to extend my best wishes to Mr. Raymond Lawrence who will be retiring soon as Chief Cultural Officer. He has served well in this capacity and as the founder of the Waitikubuli Dance Theatre, in existence for more than 40 years, he has ensured that our culture is alive and well. Mr. Lawrence as you retire from public service, I am confident you are not retriing from promoting and strengthening our culture, I, on behalf of VF Inc, wish you God’s continued Blessings, Protection and Peace. As the Africans would say, as you move on, “Walk Good!” You have and continue to serve Dominica well. Congratulations! I hope you have planned at least a short vacation to just be! You deserve it. You are allowed to take a few bows! We can all say “Well Done, Good and Trusted Servant!”
Before I delve into the topic, I want to thank “Anonymous” who gave a succinct explanation behind the Wob Dwiyet. In 1986, Dominican students at UWI, Cave Hill Campus decided we were going to celebrate our Independence and asked and received permission for a flag raising ceremony on Campus. We decided we would be dressed in national outfits and cook and display our local dishes and then have a brunch. Many of us however, did not have a Jupe, much less a Wob Dwiyet! Mrs. Alix Boyd Knight, Speaker of the House of Assembly, a law student at the time, offered to make the national outfits. She organised for the purchasing of the material out of St. Lucia and made the ladies our jupes, blouses and petticoat and the men the red cummerbunds and sashes. Following our successful presentation, students of other islands adopted the idea. I still think this celebration of independence by students of the different islands happens at Cave Hill. Mrs. Boyd-Knight, I take this opportunity to thank you again for your generous offer and national spirit.
I now understand the reason behind the Dwiyet being made with non-madras cloth. History is really important in our understanding of our culture and who we are. In the bygone days madras was the cheaper material, like codfish and smoked herring, now they have taken pride of place in leading the prices! I remember as a child our neighbours pouring alcohol and a match to smoked herring, as they did not want others to know they were cooking smoked herring. It was called “the
DNO where is the end of the article???