Kalinago Territory-based Barana Aute has been chosen as a finalist in the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)-TravelMole Sustainable Tourism Awards.
The facility was chosen in the ‘Heritage Protection Award’ category and is seen as a major accomplishment in its aim to showcase and preserve the cultural heritage of the Kalinago people.
According to Manager of Barana, Aute Kevin Dangleben, the facility is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean that offers visitors a close Amerindian experience.
“We highlight the contribution the Kalinago people have made and continue to make to the social and cultural landscape of Dominica and also the region,” he told Dominica News Online.
Visitors to Barana Aute witness centuries old fine art of basket weaving, cassava bread baking, as well as presentations on traditional canoe building and herbal medicine, dances and music, history, beliefs and legends of the Kalinagos.
Nominees for the Heritage Protection Award need to demonstrate how their efforts have directly contributed to heritage protection through initiatives such as:
– efforts to pass on cultural and intangible heritage traditions and skills to younger generations
– documentation and/or copyrighting of local heritage related materials
– innovative promotion of local heritage to locals and visitors
– sustainable financing of local heritage conservation
– engagement of local communities, public, NGO and/or private sector entities in preserving and promoting local heritage
The CTO-TravelMole annual Awards recognize individuals, groups, organizations or companies in any of the CTO Member Countries which have developed unique and attractive tourism products or are engaged in implementing sustainable tourism-related initiatives which embrace sustainable tourism concepts and core values, and which help to enhance the country’s tourism product offerings.
Winners will be chosen and awards will be presented during the Closing Ceremony of the CTO’s 13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in Georgetown, Guyana, on Wednesday 18th April, 2012
Way to go!!! I give a shout out to the workers at the Kalinago Barana Aute. They do a splendid job down there.
proud of my island and its people
GO DOMINICA!!!!!!!!!! It’s our time to shine!
Congradulations well done hope you win!
Congrats to our beautifull island on this award, hope they take the money and develop the Kalingo area. Once again CONGRATS
very well put together but there is an element missing the tourism product with its architectural, cultural, educational, flavours we should not over look the point that we are dealing with people and it must have some form of entertaining attraction that will capture the mind of the patrons, and that is not looked into thus far.
I think the management of the facility has addressed this concern. Young Kalinago performers are at the facility everyday except Sundays. They put on short presentations of the song, music and dance of the Kalinago People for a modest contribution from the visitors.That’s in addition to the site pass! Its a very good idea. I love the new look of the dancers.
Way to go Kalinago…you all were well represented on BBC-America last night..congrats
“I nearly choke on it”
But seriously, our indegenous people represented themselves well on BBC America’s ‘No Kitchen Required’ episode. Sweet nature isle of culture and pride…I am so proud to be Dominican.