National Bank of Dominica Flag wavers, stilt walkers, girls from the Mercury Band, bikers, pedestrians and Team Donnella took to the streets as they made their round, before congregating near Piper’s Step on Independence Street.
It was the official launch of Scotia Bank sponsored 2014 carnival queen contestant, Donnella Riviere of Roseau.
There, the famous Woksok performed his latest rendition of “My Tomato Burst Poof” while Daddy Milla performed last year’s “Illegal Calypso King”. The Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company also performed a dance to a thrilled audience.
Addressing the launch, former Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence said that Dominica is proud of how its young women have been putting the country on the map through pageantry: “Especially in the past couple of years, Miss Dominica has been outstanding in the region. Dominica has won several crowns and has really distinguished itself in pageantry. That speaks to the quality and talent coming out of Dominica and from our young women.”
Lawrence also encouraged the Queen contestants to use the pageant as a learning experience whether or not they make it to the top. “There are many things you can learn from just being in the queen show,” he said. He described Riviere, a former member of the Waitukubuli Dance Theater Company, as outstanding and well-mannered, and he wished her well.
Director of the Dominica Festival’s Committee, Natalie Clarke, urged participants to emulate the 2013 Carnival Queen Leslassa Armour-Shillingford as she had made the county extremely proud. “We know that we can make Dominica shine once again and make the region frightened when we go to compete in the other islands because they know that Miss Dominica is on the scene.”
In related news, the Queen contestant for Stockfarm, Shalina Samuel, was given a huge welcome by the communities of Stockfarm, Yampiece and Tarish Pit, on Sunday as she was formally launched as their representative in the national Queen show. In her brief speech, Samuel said going up for Queen was her lifelong dream.
The communities had joined hands to convert the weed-infested and abandoned games’ court into a pleasant venue for the hosting of the event. Parliamentary Representative for Stockfarm Julius Timothy said that the event brought out the community spirit. He stated that one week ago the court was “abandoned, and real messy”. But, he said, members of the Yampiece, Stockfarm and Tarish Pit “came there and what you are seeing there is their work.”
Timothy congratulated Samuel for bringing the people together – “That is a positive,” he said. “They came together with Shalina. They all came to assist in getting this place ready,”
The Parliamentary Representative vowed the communities’ support. “Whatever it takes for you to win the crown, we will do everything we can for you.”
The crowd was entertained by a performance from Black Diamond with a song entitled “Up on Video”.
I am from the states and have been to your beautiful country. I do not say the country is as beautiful as the people. Make up, no make up, fake hair, no fake hair. What I was stuck by was the true beauty in the people, without disguises, just themselves,who they truly were, and I learned a lot about accepting myself for who I am. Dominica is a magical place and will always hold a special place in my heart.
i just hope the ladies do they best
Shalina…Why the Weave? I’m disappointed!
One thing makeup does alot of things.
When the make-up is removed, what next? Surprises, shocks and disappointment?
Some women wear too much make-up. It is better to be natural or close to natural.
Every year the girls wear weave, all of a sudden it’s a surprise? lol This ‘bring down’ culture needs to come to an end.
Concentrating on how the girls speak, their intelligence and bold step to participate in the festivities would be more ‘patriotic’ and representative of a ‘black woman’; not on the weave and surely not bashing.
THIS ONE IS FOR TINY
(Looks like tiny is an advocate for banning weave in the World.Stupes……I don’t see why a young women taking part in pageantry cant ehance there beauty….don’t you know that our Queens are showcased all around the worls?Stop thinking Local think behond……when I was younger my Mummy use d to tell me,if you cant say something nice aka positive then best you just keep your Mounth SHUT…think you shuld also work with that advise…After all mummy didn’t raised NO FOOL…..”
WE KNOW HOW TO LIVE”
I am a black woman and I think some of those waive worn in the carbbean looks crazy. I think the hairdressers who do these waives are secretly laughing at their clients. I doubt that they would do their own hair like that. Come on black women do better when it comes to your hair – your hair is your beauty.
the word is spelt WEAVE not WAIVES
Waive?????? What is that??????
Another queen show…….yawn!!!!
Get accustomed to them. They are here to stay.
Are there any stories of the other 4 contestant launching? Just trying to see who the sponsors are.
I really don’t think other races won’t accept Black hairstyles, It appears Black women like long hair and bouncy curls? It would be nice to see a Rasta girl crowned Queen. But they don’t need a stage they know they are already Queens and other races not only accept but admire and even copy the locks. At the end of the day we need to teach our daughters to be proud of their natural beauty and know that they are blessed.
Most dread locks are nasty looking, some people take good care of their locks and if it is the rught size it could look profesional., but when it is thick locks or fuzzy at the roots….it is unsightly
a few years ago miss jamaica was a rasta, first time ever and her dreads were clean, not all dreads are nasty looking, just look around
When you make such a comment, you open a can of worms, so to speak. Face the facts. Dreadlocks and an evening gown do not compliment each other. This does not mean that they should not be a contestant.
I doubt the entire world will ever accept dreadlocks unless everyone in the entire world wears them. Putting it mildly, those who wear them project themselves as being indifferent to normal society and that they are revolting against society. Do we not know that based on their actions or that of some of them specifically in the past? I doubt that this manner of thinking and attitude has changed.
Some people choose to wear their hair and to clothe themselves as they so wish which are abnormal. They will always be viewed differently. They must comprehend that they will bear the consequences of their lifestyle preference which does not depict that of the normal majority of the population.
If they want to be accepted and applauded by the general society, they should change their lifestyle, hairstyle, their mode of attire, their overall attitude and manner of thinking. Otherwise they will always meet up with and experience opposition. They are viewed as outcasts. Do not blame society for that and shout discrimination.
Furthermore, we worship a God not a man God created. This is their first error which they adopted from other people who are not of this Nation of Dominica. This is rejecting God and revolting against Him and those who follow and worship him.
This is pure crap.
This is one of the most cofusing comments I have ever read on DNO. What are ou really saying????????
Whoever you are you sound ignorant and sorry to say corny.. Dreads and an evening gown don’t go together? Who are these people writing this BS, do they even hear themselves? How ignorant can a person be to actually sit and write this mess, i am still SMH because of the ignorance and utter BS that comes from people’s mouth…
I promise to speak/write the truth and nothing but the truth so help me God!
My views and that of others who are too shy to make such a statement or a similar one will not change.
Your critics do not move me in the least. Some of the derogatory statements you make against your government and others on this Website leave much to be desired. When it is the other way around you do not appreciate it. As it is said, “Do so never like so.”
What was stated is the truth. The problem with some of you, you deny the truth and do not want to hear about the truth as you also water it down. Face the facts!
Ensure when you die you do not go before God with your natty dread – locks hair. He knows your heart, what is imbedded in it.
Live the faith in God genuinely. This is what he wants of you at this time until you die.
stop those arbitrary talk! every race or creed does something to enhance there beauty. Some do plastic surgery in boobs, butt, lips and good knows where else. How dare you compare a black woman’s hair extension to that. i hope you are not black cause it would be a shame to have you as my sis or bro. It’s not that we are not content with what we have but rather we uplift it so it can showcase it self. know your place in a woman’s world. Hushhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Black women have breast augmentation and all the other cosmetic surgery you mentioned……but bkack women are not realistic when it comes to their hair……you see a person from the back with dark skin…..you automatically believe it’s an east Indian then youu realize it’s a black woman looking ridiculous with all that long hair on their head
thiny, giving compliment where it is due. you have made some good points. Your vision and words are to the point. Some women die from plastic surgery of every nature.
Recently I was shopping at a store in Toronto. A black woman (I mean very black in pigmentation),short and fat too, not nice looking at all is one of the part-time supervisors. She must be in her early or mid-twenties and probably a student. If you saw what she looked like with the type of hair she had – not natural and her lipstick was yellow; no joking. The only way someone would look at her twice is if they were shocked at what she looked like.
I looked at the woman in disgust. Of course I did not project it on my face. She did not even have a smile on her face which made her look quite unattractive. I thought, how ridiculous she looked and does she not know that? Did she not look at her face in a mirror? To top it all, you should see the type of short top and tight black pants that she wore, projecting the lower part of her body; not a beautiful sight at all.
This is the manner in which some of them dress, making a fool of themselves. They must be blind and ignorant why they dress and make up their face and hair in such a manner. What else could it be? She was fortunate that she was hired. Of course, prior to obtaining the job she must have tried to dress attractively. When they get the job they do not care what they look like. They know they cannot be fired for their appearance otherwise they will sue the enterprise.
This is the bad and unbecoming attitude they project. Some of them dress as prostitutes. They think they are so smart, smartly dressed and attractive.
Many men and women speak about how these women dress. Therefore, it is not only you and I. Some are merely hypocrites and unfair to criticize what we stated.
q
Oh my God I can’t beweave it!
I like this humour. lol
Pram pram……….it’s about beauty…..they are judged by their beauty and they are making a statement on what beauty is….they are defining beauty to the younger women……obviously to them beauty means long think bouncy curly hair…….or long straight hair……
I think black women are really rethinking this thing about beauty. If you look around you will see that at least 75% of black women are wearing natural styles. Did Ms. Dominica have to change from being natural????? No. Women stop being fooled. Chemicals destroy your beautiful hair. I have a friend who has been refusing to wear her hair natural until her hair started falling off because of the chemicals. Just saying.
@ pram pram……….in the US a black news reporter was told to change her hairstyle because it was not appropriate…..she had an afro a small afro…..nothing was wrong with her hairstyle but her employers had a problem with it…..if her afro was too long then I would agree that it was inappropriate…..hat do yo think causes that…..it is because they are used to seeing black women with 2 ft long weave on their head…..now when you are told by your boss that u can’t wear your hair naturally……woudn’t u consider that a PROBLEM?
Take it to the Department of Labor.
That Shalina Samuel girl there pretty
Yup she is indeed!
Hmm you all are amazing of all the hardships and issues in the world …you guys gonna make noise over weave ..natural hairdo and bouncy curls..smh.
Good luck to all the Queen Contestants
This is a show…..it’s about superficial beauty…..in case you did not know…..that is why a 300 pound woman is not a contestant…..so they are saying that to be beautiful………..you need beautiful hair and weaves are more beautiful than their hair
Yes just because 99 percent of black women wear weaves ….give thumbs down for the weave comment you weave addicts….
Wow look story but I hope skirret have better for the future of them queens dear
@ Tiny,you should be ashamed of your self,dont you know that not only Dominicans go on this site…Stop bring down the Positive Vibes and instead take a page or two from this girls books…….GO Shani and all the other contestants….If GOD BE FOR YOU THEN WHO THE HECK CAN BE AGAINST YOU
We behind you Sha sha all the way
You mean black eomen have such long thick bouncy curls like that??….I do not wish to dictate how someone should wear their hair……but folks it’s a show and the women are wearing a hundred pounds of weaves on their head…..it’s like they are saying that there hair is not good enough……….that is why other races won’t accept black hairstyles because they are used to seeing black women with hair that look like ither ethnicities
Umm mr/madam ignorant idiot. Stop running your mouth . This is the reason why young people will never want to do anything in this blasted country. Why the hell can’t someone lenghthemn there own hair. Go read a book or something and shut your mouth. Be positive for once Dominica and shut out all negativity please once and for all pleeease.
Lengthen her hair……so I guess her relaxed hair which in my opinion is her antural hair…..looks like that??….she just lenghtened it??…..yeah right……well I know what most black women hair loiks like when it is relaxed…..
I don’t mind weaves……but it needs to be realistic……..
A poor Country wit pretty women but no jobs. “No money no love.”