Tropical storm Erika left a trail of devastation and death in its wake. But as Dominicans recover and rebuild a shattered nation, Erika demands a radical shift in consciousness, a revolution in how they see themselves, each other and their environment.
It could have been a biblical story or some other mythical tale; the heavens opened and in a few short hours on 27th August 2015 the landscape of Dominica was irreversibly remodelled. Torrential rain pummelled the island and landslides covered roadways, houses and people. Rivers flooded their banks and washed away all in their path.
Friends and family at home and abroad were cut off from each other as the infrastructure and communication systems ruptured under the deluge. In the aftermath of Erika the images that confronted Dominicans at home and in the diaspora were grim indeed. Dominica looked as though the island was struck by the hand of God. The geography of the island has been irrevocably transformed.
Whilst the economic cost of the cataclysm that altered the social and physical landscape of the island overnight can be estimated, the social and psychological damage cannot be calculated. Social relationships have been permanently transformed and the psychological trauma deeply engraved and enduring.
Post-Erika is a period of intense soul-searching. Erika, it has been said, was the wrath of an angry God or simply the fury of nature. Whatever the cause, Erika spoke and demands that Dominicans listen.
Tropical storm Erika took Dominicans by surprise. But the reasons for this complete lack of preparedness are far more profound than Dominicans admit. Pre-Erika Dominicans had settled into a life of complacency and apathetic, dreamy wakefulness, whilst nurturing psychological and communal discord, created by too much siwo and other intoxicants on the one hand and a tribalistic tendency, lack of respect and love for self, community and the environment on the other. Bacchanal, fetes, jams, raves, and personal psychic and communal disharmony became a virus in the mind, a new religion and tradition.
As a result of these bacchanal induced hypnotic states, divided selves and communities, Dominicans had lost all sense of purpose and awareness of the true meaning of life. Valuable resources were wasted on regressive and self-defeating schemes and pastimes rather than on innovative and enlightened enterprises to elevate Dominica to an exemplar nation-state. In the light of Erika, the slogan, “nou konnet vive”, much loved by Dominicans, seems empty and meaningless.
Erika has taught Dominicans some fundamental lessons. A nation cannot live by siwo alone or with psychic and communal dysfunction; the bacchanal mentality, culture and fragmentation at the heart of Dominican society and psyche are untenable, warnings that Dominicans appear to have ignored. Post-Erika it seems to be business as usual.
In the immediate post-Erika disaster there was a sense of hopefulness, a perception of a new beginning. A feeling of togetherness and community spirit pervaded the island.
But as the weeks go by the old fractured, dysfunctional society and culture and siwo mind-set are rearing their ugly heads. This is exemplified in the attitudes towards the world Music Creole Festival. The prime minister cancelled the WMCF; the best decision given the circumstances. Yet in a nationwide display of disrespect for the tragedy that has befallen the nation and for those who have lost their lives, homes, livelihoods and loved ones, people are clamouring for a festival whatever form it takes. A concert for “relief” is just another excuse for a bacchanal. This is siwo in disguise. Every future event will now be promoted as a bacchanal for “relief”.
Erika, like Hurricane David, is Dominica’s dark night of the soul. But within every tragedy lies the path to enlightenment. Tropical storm Erika is a unique opportunity for renewal and transcendence. The prime minister recognised this in his first post-Erika speech. Many have identified the changes that are required for Dominica to fulfil its true potential. But for any lasting and meaningful change to occur there must be a radical shift in the mind and spirit; more succinctly, a revolution of the mind and spirit.
Erika has spoken…
Opinions expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Dominica News Online or its advertisers.
Thank you! This is so well said. The consciousness of our people must be elevated or we will surely perish.
In recent weeks I have spoken to many Dominicans and expats here who are planning to leave asap. They have all reached their limit and just can’t take it anymore. None of these folks have lost their homes, they have just given up. If this trend continues, Dominica is doomed.
I sincerely hoped that the Prime Minister was genuine. Because pre election during the election campaign that very weakness of the people was exploited. To make it worst even the church was mixed in the siwo and debauchery. But as you say indeed the society is dysfunctional and i blame the leadership for they have not been exemplary in that regard. It has been open hostility or money and positions to shut mouths. For a society to grow it has to be hard work and justified reward. Dominica is lagging behind probably all other islands now. Its pathetic. We have to use our our resources equitably and efficiently and above all put God first than the self aggrandisation and idolatry. God provides not man