Culture

NCF showcasing community culture this weekend

Participants who enrolled in the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) 2022-23 community training programmes across the island, will have the opportunity to showcase their talents this weekend.

When the Barbados Worker’s Union stages its annual Labour Day celebrations of Monday, May 1, at the National Botanical Gardens patrons there will see multiple dance routines starting at midday.

Over 200 Barbadians will perform during the NCF’s community cultural showcase. There will be wonderful choreographies in African Dance, Afrobeat Dance, Street Dance, Stick-Licking, Landship and Maypole as well as Tuk Drumming and Flute presented by the enthusiastic performers.

This cultural aspect of the day’s events is produced by the NCF in recognition of the Season of Emancipation which runs until August 27.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage programmes are aimed at reengaging the community by unearthing, training and showcasing community talent. This programme also acts as a sustainable tool for community sensitisation and mobilisation in these challenging times while utilising important aspects of our indigenous culture.

These sessions were developed in four zones: north, south, east and central covering every parish and were open to all ages and experience levels.

ICH Community Landship and Tuk and Flute classes were coordinated by The Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW) and trained persons in the art of playing the instruments of the engine. This segment of the Programme also saw Barbadians embrace the nation’s traditional dance, where they benefitted from training in manoeuvres of the Barbados Landship and the movements of the Maypole. These sessions were also coordinated by the PCW.

Bajan Stick Licking, the indigenous martial art of Barbados, was revived by the training of participants, both children and adults in classes held at schools across the island.

Street Dance is an umbrella term used for a large number of social dances around the world. Dances such as Breaking, Popping Locking, Hip Hop, Voguing and for us in the Caribbean, Dancehall are all a part of the Street Dance family.

One of the most popular Street Dance Styles at the moment, Afrobeat Dance is a unique fusion of traditional African and contemporary or modern day movements. Dancing primarily to Afrobeats music, this new wave is the latest dance phenomenon to take the world by storm.

The African Dance cohort will be performing live for the first time on Monday. The group will perform “Ubuntu” – “I Am Because We Are”. Ubuntu embodies values such as community, love, joy, respect, fulfilment, solidarity, acceptance and dignity.

NCF Dance Officer Alicia Payne-Hurley said the showcase is months of hard work by participants and long hours of dedication by the coordinators and tutors.

“We are eager to showcase what our community training programmes have produced. The participants are excited to be on a national stage. Special thanks to the coordinators, tutors for their hard work and dedication. All that is left for me to do at this stage is to encourage Barbadians to come out and support their family, friends and the general community as they get ready to perform for you in this cultural heritage showcase,” she said.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, April 30, theatre arts lovers can head to the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre at 4 p.m. for We Stories, By We the NCF’s ICH Community TheatreShowcase which features participants in the ICH drama programme.

The drama showcase will feature group and individual presentations of varying lengths on themes affecting Barbadian communities. Topics such as mini-bus culture, mental health challenges and other socio-cultural stories have been explored by the different groups.

Among the pieces being performed Sunday are De Hustle, Everything Gone Up, Ah Tired, Dreams of Delivery, Fair Play, The State Ah Wunna, Village Blues, A Piece of Everything and No Man Is An Island.

The drama sessions contributed to building a sense of community among participants while contributing to the personal and social development of the individual.

Both the ICH Dance and Drama showcases are free to the public. (PR)

Culture

Barbados Participates In International Conference On Cultural Heritage

A three-member Barbadian delegation is in Nairobi, Kenya, attending the International Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa: A Dialogue on the Concept of Authenticity, which aims to foster an exchange of research, experience, knowledge, and observations.

The members of the delegation are Steve Devonish, Chair of the Barbados World Heritage Committee and Site Manager for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison; Alissandra Cummins, Deputy Chair of the Barbados World Heritage Committee; and Dr. Sheron Johnson, Focal Point for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.

The four-day conference is a significant event dedicated to repositioning and redefining the concepts of authenticity and integrity in the context of African heritage. It is organised by UNESCO, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the African World Heritage Fund, and has brought together heritage experts, government officials, local communities, non-governmental organisations, and academics from across Africa and the world.

Barbados, as the only Caribbean country to present at the conference, has been welcomed wholeheartedly by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, organisers of the conference, and other African countries.

The delegation, at the request of the Director, spoke to the outcomes of the conference having implications for small island developing states such as Barbados, as much of our heritage has linkage with Africa.

The meeting also seeks to address the gap between global heritage frameworks and African realities, particularly how authenticity and integrity are defined and applied. Its importance lies in the current application of authenticity, which has a European slate and negates African ecological realities, communities and landscapes.

Africa is home to an extraordinary wealth of cultural and natural heritage, yet it remains underrepresented on the World Heritage List. Currently, African sites make up only 12.26 per cent of the 1,223 World Heritage properties globally, despite the continent’s significance as the cradle of humanity. Additionally, it has the highest number of endangered heritage sites worldwide.

While in Kenya, the delegation, led by Mr. Devonish, paid a visit to the High Commission for Barbados in Kenya and engaged in fruitful discussions with the High Commissioner William McDonald on ways to further deepen the relation between Barbados and African States on matters of heritage, support for Barbados’ future plans at the World Heritage Centre, and ways the Division of Culture can support the Mission’s outreach to the Kenyan population. (PR/GIS)

Culture

Clarification Of Investment Target For We Gatherin’ 2025

As the We Gatherin’ initiative continues in full stride, we take this time to thank those members of corporate Barbados who have committed to helping us reach our target of $5,000,000 (five million) in support and investment, whether cash or in kind.

So far, we have secured $500,000 from businesses across the island, and we continue to encourage other private sector entities to contribute to this historical initiative, that not only brings our society closer together but that will provide much needed assistance to programs that will benefit our youth, helping to steer us through troubled times to a better, more peaceful and prosperous Barbados for all.

After the recently concluded church service at St. Anne’s Church in St. Joseph, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight was keen to speak on the progress towards reaching this target.

“During my address, I inadvertently mentioned a figure of $5 million in private sector donations. That number reflects our aspirational goal, not the current reality. To clarify, we have presently secured $500,000 in contributions toward this initiative. We remain deeply grateful for the support received thus far and continue to encourage additional private sector partners to join us in this important national effort.”

We Gatherin’ 2025 continues with events and activities in St. Joseph for the month of April and moving on to St. John in May. (PR/GIS)

Culture

We Gatherin’ Activities Launched In Boston Over The Weekend

The spirit of Barbados was alive last Saturday, March 22, as the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), officially launched the ‘We Gatherin’ 2025 series in Boston.

According to Consul General Lorenzo Harewood, the event, held at the Sorrel and Lime place, was a spectacular showcase of Barbadian culture, bringing together scores of Barbadians and friends of Barbados for an unforgettable experience.

“Attendees were immersed in the rich sights, sounds, and flavours of the island, enjoying pulsating local music, mouthwatering Bajan cuisine, and a vibrant marketplace filled with stalls owned by Barbadian entrepreneurs,” he said.

He noted that from handcrafted souvenirs to locally made products, the event provided a platform for businesses to connect with the diaspora and promote authentic Barbadian goods.

The Consul General said that the energy in the room was electric as Barbadians, young and old, reunited with friends, made new connections, and celebrated their shared heritage.

A major highlight of the evening was the exciting giveaways, including exclusive discounted travel packages and the grand prize won by Carson Straughn – a trip for two to Barbados. The winners were thrilled at the chance to visit their homeland and immerse themselves in all that the island has to offer.

Mr. Harewood stated that the successful launch marked the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating ‘We Gatherin’ 2025’ series.

“With overwhelming support and enthusiasm from attendees, the celebrations are set to continue in Connecticut, and Philadelphia, and culminate in a grand finale in New York throughout April and May. Many attendees have pledged to follow the journey, eager to experience more of the warmth, culture, and togetherness that define the Barbadian spirit,” he remarked.

The Consul General added: “The partnership between the Consulate and BTMI underscores a shared commitment to strengthening connections between Barbados and its diaspora while promoting the island as a premier destination for both leisure and business.

“As the excitement builds, Barbadians across generations are encouraged to join the movement, return home, and take part in the national festivals and activities happening throughout 2025.”

During the event, a brief intermission provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding professional achievements. Mr. Harewood took to the stage to present the prestigious Professional Achievement Award to Professor Cardinal Warde, a distinguished faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Professor Warde is widely regarded as a leading expert in optical information processing and display technologies. His extensive contributions to the field include over 150 technical papers, co-editorship of a book, and co-authorship of three book chapters on optical materials and devices.

Beyond academia, his innovative work is reflected in 12 patents related to spatial light modulators, displays, and optical information processing systems, solidifying his influence in advancing cutting-edge optical technologies. (PR/GIS)