Cultural animation sessions held at evacuation centers

The Cultural Division has undertaken a series of cultural animation sessions with residents of Dubique and Petite Savanne at the Evacuation Shelters located in Grand Bay and at the Dominica Grammar School during the past week.

Last Wednesday September 16, the staff of the Division performed poetry, song, hand drumming and dance at the Youth Centre in Grand Bay for an audience comprising residents of the two shelters housing Petite Savanne and Dubique villagers.

This performance featured noted poets Delmance Ras Mo Moses and Gregory Rabess accompanied by Earlson Matthew on keyboards. The Tradibelle Cultural Group which includes Cultural Officer Carlton Henry as lead male dancer was also on hand for the session and presented bele dances. The evening climaxed with crowd participation in ring games.

The Division also held two sessions at the DGS Evacuation Shelter. In addition to performances by Ras Mo, Rabess and Earlson Matthew, Chief Cultural Officer Jacinta David and Cultural Officer Clair Vital did some animation in dance.

Children and adults at the shelter also performed jing ping music, drumming and dance. Dominica’s Lady of Song Ophelia was invited to the session at the DGS last Thursday evening, September 17. She sang a selection of her popular songs and engaged the young children and teenagers in a conga line and singing.

The Division continues cultural animation sessions at the shelters this week with the focus being on hand drumming. In this way, the young people and adults at the shelters have an opportunity to engage in artistic activity and learn some basic skills. The Division also plans a number of cultural animation sessions in affected communities in the weeks ahead. These initiatives are aimed at boosting morale and lifting spirits of the people as they seek to recover from the devastating effects of TS Erika.