Preparations for the celebrations of Dominica’s Heritage Day in the village of Mahaut is at an advanced stage of readiness. The event which is under the direction of the Cultural Division with the support of a local organizing committee will take place in that west coast village on Sunday 23, October with a series of activities throughout the day.
For the past few weeks the local organizing committee has been working together with the Chief Cultural Officer and her team in putting together the programme of activities and going over the detailed plan for every aspect of the organizing of this most important date on the island’s Independence Celebrations’ calendar of events.
Heritage Day heralds the start of the annual Creole Week/Simenn Kweyol celebrations in Dominica. Each year, a different village is selected to host the celebrations in order to highlight the island’s unique cultural heritage and rich traditions. Heritage Day takes the focus to this particular host village and help local people and visitors to the celebrations to identify its unique cultural achievements and major personalities and their contributions to the overall preservation of Dominica’s rich history and culture.
Mahaut known as the village that never sleeps due to its bustling nature, people mostly living along its narrow coastal strip and for its transitory position in the middle of the west coast, is a collection of old estates and plantations such as Belfast, Beausejeau, Morne Georgine, Jimmit among others. These once far removed estate lands have in more recent decades been converting to new settlements for a growing middle and professional class that have come from the village as well as from all over Dominica. The once home of the recently closed Dominica Coconut Products, Dominica’s most important manufacturing plant, is well known for its fishing, farming, shop-keepers, trades people and a large army of professionals working in the public and private sector.
As a cultural centre, Mahaut produced several outstanding musicians and bands including the popular 70s to 90’s band, Belles Combo and the B Plus. It is also home for one of the island’s most spirited and dynamic carnival celebrations. Current day music greats include Cadence-lypso icons Halibut and Janet Azouzz both of whom have been performing music for well-over four decades.
In the build-up to Heritage Day, the local organizing committee is working on a programme of activities to bring out the unique appeal of the village of Mahaut, foster and build community pride and unity and to proudly welcome the hundreds of visitors expected on that Day. Already Mahaut stands ready to continue a great tradition and to make the world know that Dominica is truly one of the region’s greatest cultural capitals and for its vibrant heritage and culture.
All I see is the Paix Bouche Children Bele group.