PRESS RELEASE: Afrikukture Stilt Walkers present – Echoes of the Shadow Walkers

On February 17, a shadow will dance and spirits will rise in the umbral dominion on the island of Dominica. Where the music builds an uneasy thrill that fills the atmosphere with excitement and pure mystery for the real Mas 2026. Within the realm, the ancestral and cultural deities and folklore celebrate with pride, honoring the island’s rich cultural heritage and true authentic carnival.

Normally, these beings remain only as onlookers, watching from the shadows, silent and unseen. But Mas Dominik 2026 comes with something different—something written in the skies. Because this year aligns with the celestial conjunction—when the new moon, the lunar new year, and the annular eclipse meet in one sacred moment.

As the new moon ascends into the black obsidian abyss, freckles of starlight scatter across the heavens, and the shadow moon rises. With that energy, the king and queen are empowered to summon an ancient force—a portal strong enough to pierce the veil and divide the two worlds. And for the first time in half a millennium, the shadow walkers are able to step through. Not to haunt, but to revel.

Adorned in elements of Dominica’s heritage and folklore, their presence awakens an echo—an ancient call reverberating through time and space, shaking the night itself and summoning the spirit of carnival into something beyond this world.

The islanders come to a realization: the creatures spoken of in old stories—”the diablesse, the lougarou, and the soukouyant”—are distortions. These are not beings of evil and mischief, but deities of their lost African heritage, misunderstood and renamed through fear. They were forced to retreat into the shadow realm when the islanders severed their sacred connection to the ancestors.

Now, they have returned to celebrate that lineage once thought severed, living within the real Mas.

Ladies and gentlemen, journey into the mystical and unknown with the Afrikulture stilt walkers and the RT performers visiting from Antigua.

(Note: The umbral dominion is a kingdom of mystical and unknown creatures.)

Sections

King Umbra

(King of the band: Duwan Vidal)

All hail King Umbra, ruler of the umbral dominion, who emerges as the ultimate shadow Bwa Bwa—a dark ruler wrapped in mystery and power, untouchable and feared. His towering steps make the air grow colder, the crowd fall silent, and the road feel possessed. His stilting moves are legendary and fearless, moving as if summoned rather than human.

His costume is pure black like midnight, swallowing the light around him, with a skeletal chest of bones that clings to his body as if cursed—spirits themselves built his regalia. Long, messy accents of gold trail and scatter like wild lightning, glowing with an eerie aura. He wears copper tights that shimmer with every movement, flashing like haunted royal armor.

Queen Solara

(Queen of the band: Kyanna Dyer)

The empress who rules beside the king is Queen Solara—a radiant powerhouse draped in shades of orange. She moves like a living flame, shining with unstoppable elegance and commanding presence. Her costume burns with the brilliance of a rising sun, glowing as if crafted from molten gold, illuminating the road with radiance. Sharp peaks of madras and orange flare upward from her hands, channeling the wild heat of her spirit and adding cultural power to her movements.

She is an echo—a sound that calls and spirals through the night like a hypnotic chant, summoning the spirits of carnival. Her energy twists through the air like sacred vibrations, pulling the crowd into the rhythm of the real Mas. Where the king embodies darkness and mystery, the queen embodies brilliance, heat, and divine authority. Her presence is enchanting, breathtaking yet dangerous.

The Mokele

(Brenae Charles, Abigail Toussaint, Kiwon Blanc, D’lanique Mann)

Mythical beasts acting as armed guards to the throne. Dressed in a fusion of madras fabric, they showcase bold designs featuring sleek teal bodywear, crowned with vibrant headwraps, matching neck collars, and ruffled island flair depicting Dominica’s traditional identity.

Sparkling rhinestone straps wrap around the females’ torsos, while the males remain boldly topless, showcasing raw strength. Wild fur legs complete their look, bringing the untamed mysterious force to life.

Shadow Sonic Walkers

(Primary, high school, and young adult stilt walkers)

Representing the umbral dominion—beings traveling through creeping darkness guided by rhythm and unseen power. They manifest as if summoned by drums, splitting shadows apart and erupting into bursts of color and light, transforming the road into a surreal carnival spectacle.

Their madras elements embody warriors of culture; red shoulder pieces symbolize bloodline and sacrifice; blue represents moonfire—an ethereal energy burning with a cold flame under the full moon. Swirling wings filled with black spiders and bats symbolize omens, silent watchers, and night messengers.

The Luminous Night

(Female and male grounds)

This section signifies the sacred hour of the dominion, when darkness feels alive rather than empty. It is believed that only during this time can the umbral beings fully manifest, emerging from shadows as if the night itself has opened a doorway for them to cross into the world.

Number of persons: 84 (including a visiting stilt walking group from Antigua, RT performers)

Designed by Abigail Toussaint of Pointe Michel, 19 years old

Produced and tailored by members of the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers Inc., Patricia Warner, Miriam Elwin, Bernadette

Royer, Lucia Lander, Juanita Jules, Joyful Designs, Darnley Guye, Perry Martial, Rafferty Inc., Merliza’s Design Creation, Zenith Williams, Mike Moise.

Sponsored by Trois Pitons Water, OECS Pearl, Big Edge Financial, Alliance Française de la Dominique, H.H.V Whitchurch & Co. Ltd.