Kalinago Students of Dominica at the Cavehill Campus (KASAC) of the University of the West Indies successfully brought to the fore varying surviving aspects of their cultural heritage in a timely exhibition on April 14 and 15, 2011. This event was organized in an effort to promote Kalinago culture and heritage on campus as well as to extend gratitude on behalf of recipients of the scholarships awarded annually by the Government of Barbados through the university.
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Principal of the Campus, made a special effort amid his busy schedule to attend the second day of event. There was also tremendous support from Janet Caroo, Marketing Officer in the office of Student, Corporate and Alumni Relations. Many lecturers and students alike were eager to find out more about the Kalinago students, their experiences and their surviving cultural heritage.
The major objectives of the event included:
• showcasing Kalinago arts and crafts items
• illustrating Kalinago artistic techniques and methodologies
• sharing Kalinago heritage and culture
• establishing and economic alternative through surviving art forms
• expanding the knowledge of Kalinago heritage to the wider Caribbean
• correcting misinformation pertaining to Kalinago history
In displaying support for the event the principal noted that such was long anticipated and timely and that strides are being made for increasing the presence of indigenous students at the campus. Discussions with him also emphasized the need for the establishment of an Indigenous students association which would serve to sustain the efforts already undertaken while also serving as a body for forging links with similar organisations around the globe.
The expo included a wide display of pictures depicting life in the Kalinago Territory with special emphasis placed on the cultural groups, artisans and vendors and the Kalinago Barana Aute. Moreover, there was a wide variety of articles on display which included art and craft items and food, along with Kalinago music and videos and also publications on the Kalinago people. Most of the items were donated by Kalinago artisans, and sourced from friends and relatives within the Kalinago Territory, to whom the students are immensely grateful.
An important aspect of the expo was the students entertaining of patrons in traditional wear, while interacting wholesomely, discussing their university experience and their role in the future development of their people. The students anticipate this event as the beginning of many during their tenure at the university and discussions have already begun about the next Kalinago Exposition, to include a lecture and cultural performance, in the not too distant future.
good display by our kalinago youth but GUYS! ALL YOU NEED TO DRESS THE SAME HERE AND APPRECIATE WHAT IS OURS. YOU ALL LOOKING SO GOOD IN YOUR OUTFIT BUT PLEASE NOT OVERSEAS ONLY. We need to realize how important we are! Not karifuna and Karina alone to promote the culture.
Fantastic! I am so glad you are sharing your culture with us. Thanks!
I am happy that the Caribs are enjoying the benefits of scholarship so that this Chief will stop talking about discrimation. I hate it when he rants and rave about discrimiation. Are they discriminating against black now. I am a carib you know so I can speak not sure about this Kalinago thing yet, maybe I have to do some more reading and research. But I am happy for my people. No more crying Chief Joseph and past Chief Williams
This is just great! Proud of you guys for pulling this off.
THANK GOD FOR OUR PM
See more of our darlings showing off their culture. i am proud to no end…
http://www.domsac.org/apps/photos/album?albumid=11422018
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Continue to do the good work in promoting kalinago culture and our people, you guys did an excellent presentation in representing the kalinago people and Dominica.
God bless you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Strenght to strenght my people. Caribbean = Kalinago = Garinago with a language intact; Garifuna. We can learn this language today. This language was preserved by descendants of the soldiers of the last carib wars against England,France and Spain. Remember these brave warriors were exiled and cast off after a terrible genocidal battle in St.Vincent. They found refuge in Islands off the coast of Belize and Honduras as well as on the mainland in Belize ,Honduras,Nicaragua,El Salvador and Guatemala.Some Garinago have migrated to Los Angeles and are teaching the language(garifuna) to who wants to learn. Caribbean education institutions should be at the forefront efforts to preserve and spread this most important Caribbean = Kalinago = Garinago = Garifuna inheritance. Bless Up Beloved
Good for the, they are all up there on that special scholarship for Caribs. Full scholarships. Why aint these open to everyone. I this its discrimination to offer scholarships bases on a persons race. U cant even get it if u half Carib, u have to be full blood with a certificate from the Carib chief. I say equal opportunity to all. No preferential treatment!
Stop complaining and work hard.
man they do this everywhere around the world in the us they do it for blacks
There is ALWAYS some form of negativity anything Kalinago related. Why is that so? These scholarships were given for a reason, mainly because of the fact that we do not have access to funds from financial institutions because of the non-official ownership of land. In this day and age, I would expect that this distinct form of discrimination to be gone. I still do not understand it.
Hats off to our kalinagos and kalinagas.!! The “Urban negroes’ on the plantation should take note.Dominica is quite unique..We should continue to make a concerted effort to promote and protect our Afri/Maroon and Kalinago heritage.
looks like the Kalinagos are having their go @ being urbanized my dear friend….
You should encourage them to stop the trend, rather than urge others to take note.
I say protect our Afri/Maroon/Kalinago heritage……not promote. Let them stumble upon it if they may. When you promote it encourages the EU factions to continue their onslaught at watering it down so they can change it for their benefit, with their jobs, schools, restaurants, hotels, tourism, industries, vehicles, designer clothes and the list goes on and all the devil-upment that will eventually result in our demise.
We’d better be careful who we allow to see how vulnerable and pure we still are!
Great job guys really proud of you all. Continue to make DA proud.
I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR WHAT DR HILARY BECKLES HAVE DONE FOR US WEST INDIANS BUT AS A HISTORIAN I WANT HIM TO ESTABLISH A HISTORICAL FACT AND BURY THE MYTH OF THE FALLACIOUS TERM ” CARIBBEAN ” AND HAVE OUR REGION BE RENAMED ” KALINAGO “—— LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD !
I have a problem with the name “Kalinago” representing our people because Columbus met a mixture of Kalinagoes and Arawaks. I think the Kalinago nomenclature is male-centric because the contribution of the genes of the Arawak females who mothered the tribe is not taken into consideration, and that is not acceptable in this modern age.
well done my dear kalinago!!!!
Yes congrats in order for OUR kALINAGO PEOPLE,you have surely come a long way since the first Kalinago DR. Worrel Sanford made history on graduating from Cuba in 1989.Now you have graduates from Venezuela,China UWI,etc,We are proud of you for discovering and holding this blessed land -Waitukubuli for us.Comrade Roosie Douglas had faith in you ,Comrade Pierro continued and Comrade Skeritt is continuing –so make use of the opportunities
I LOVE THIS COMMENT. YOU GOT MY LIKE.
Mabrika mabrika
Great job. Roots of the first inhabitants of Dominica.
Wonderful! Wonderful! Congratulations… I’m truly impressed.
We are moving to our next level ok my people. A new day is dawning.Great representation. Hope that s a sign of bigger events to come.
KALINAGO TO DE WERL MI SAY!!!!
Ah boy, my people going places… and they taking Dominica with them..
This is positive!! Iwish you all success in your studies. Thanks to the government of Barbados for awarding scholarships to our Kalinago peole to attend UWI. This is tremendous and profound!!
Who would poosibly dislike this comment? Smdh!!!
Super cool!
Nice…
I am so proud guys………….keep up the good work Kalinago for Life!!!!!!!!
looks quite extensive… good job
Kewl!!!!1
Way to go folks, you are indeed ambassadors with a positive mission. Keep it up. Hats off to the organizers.
Good look for the Kalinagos!!!
Congratulations Kalinago folks. Keep up the good work. Keep the Kalinago flag flying. You are true ambassadors.
Looks like top quality presentation.
Good job my people. Am proud of u guys
Well done my kalinago friends!!!!
Good look!
SO COOL!!!