Five Kalinagos from Dominica were among group of men and women who participated in a traditional Amerindian kanawa (dug out canoe) row from Gaudeloupe to Antigua last weekend.
The canoe glided into Nelson’s Dockyard in a moment that was rich in history, hackening to the days when this was the only form of travel between the islands by pre-Columbian residents.
The event was part of a project undertaken by the K’ANAWA Association which aims to restore ancestral practices common in the Caribbean islands. The association also wants to use the event to build solidarity between the neighboring islands by retracing the sailing routes of the first settles.
The project began in 2010, with the 2012 journey running from October 19 to 27, Portsmouth to Terre de Bas, Trois Rivières to Pointe à Pitre, Port Louis to English Harbour.
The Kanawa, which is made of red “grignon” wood, is 47 feet long, 4.5 feet wide, weighs 1.4 tons and can accommodate 22 – 24 crew members. The Association plans to host the event every two years.
The Kalinago crew returned to Dominica on Wednesday.
Is there any connection to the Filipno tribe called Kalinga .
That’s so cool !!! But how long was the trip?? Were they followed by a bigger boat ??
…. That’s Excellent !!
Congratulations to thee participants!!
Greta story! I hope that these individuals had access to PFD( personal flotation devices) as a precaution. The symbolism of the trip is good however, safety first.
I know someone is going to say ‘ oh back in the day they did not use that!’ But this is not back in the day..
that’s wonderfull
I would make the trip, but on a cruise ship.
I feel you!
god. made me feel that history is realand that Gregory Rabess did not waste his his time taching us history at portsmouth secondary school.i relly felt good reading this piece of acheivement.