A biography of Gerard and Miranda Langlais – Kalinago cultural elders, shaman, community builders

Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Langlais reside in Bataca. They live a very simple and humble life, yet they are a very powerful couple who have the ability to revolutionize cultural change and religious beliefs.

Gerard is often called the Shaman–meaning High Priest, spiritual leader–because of the spiritual ceremony he performs, which is quite different from other religious denominations. Gerard is known as “Mabrika” and is currently the manager of Karina Cultural Group, a past Councillor, and a sportsman. Mrs. Miranda Stoute Langlais was born in the community of St. Cyr and is currently the leader of the Karina Cultural Group, an advisor in terms of culture, and a cultural mentor to the youth.

She is very involved in pageantry shows and helps in costume design. The couple has been together for 40 years and has been married for 34 of those years. Having both been involved in cultural activities from a very early age, it is apparent that they are well-matched. Gerard was involved with the “Chien Zombie” Group and Miranda was involved with the Karifuna Cultural Group. However, Mr. and Mrs. Langlais were not happy with the level of development in the community, yet could not identify what was missing.

“Something is missing….there is a strong consciousness inside of me and wish our young people would get into this consciousness to get away from the old stigma that we were cannibals” laments Mr. Langlais.

When asked about what motivated them for all these years, it was very obvious that is their shared love for the culture of the Kalinago people. On a note of excitement, they recalled, “We were able to plan and execute a program called Walking In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors”. This initiative was all about visiting villages in Dominica where Kalinagos settled. They visited villages such as Petite Savanne, Petite Soufriere, and Vieille Case among others. It was a memorable occasion they will not easily forget.

“We were greeted with the blowing of shells, people were waving, shouting, and singing as we entered the village” they recall. The sole objective of this exercise was to unite the Kalinago people throughout Dominica. Another high point was a healing ceremony in Massacre. For this ceremony, a Shaman came from Suriname. According to history, several Kalinagos were killed in Massacre. Even today, the village of Massacre invokes sadness in the minds of the Kalinago people.

The Langlaises were ambassadors in their own rights, because they traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, representing the Kalinago people and Dominica. They participated in Carifesta and were able to connect with indigenous people from Guyana, Belize, Canada, Australia, and more. Their vision for the community is the formation of another cultural group, and more unity among the Kalinago people despite their political affiliation and religious beliefs.