Published 21 August 2019
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
“Dance the masquerade”-
The St. Kitts and Nevis masquerades are darlings of Carifesta 14, in Trinidad and Tobago.
From an initial performance at the pre-opening parade on August 16 to now, the magnetic spirt that comes with each presentation has transfixed patrons at the regional expo.
Their most recent performances were at the Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain and the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, in San Fernando.
As the high pitched notes of the flute pierced the evening’s silence, the audience became fixated on the stage.
The big drum and the snare then fused with the flute and the masquerade made their eagerly anticipated entry.
Locals and visitors from throughout CARICOM have embraced the group and have become fascinated with their rhythmic dances, colourful and intricate costumes and elaborate crowns with long feathers.
Masquerades have evolved over time and there have been variations of the art form- as there are obvious differences between St. Kitts and Nevis masquerades and those from Montserrat, who have conical head pieces but the fundamentals still remain. It is an art form to communicate, celebrate and speak our journey from the past till now.
Patrons can expect more of the masquerades as St. Kitts and Nevis has its country night on Thursday, August 22, on the main stage at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Organizers within the contingent have promised delivery of a production that showcases the twin island state and its rich history. The old adage still rings out ‘we small but we tallawah.”
Cousoumeh- things boiling in good at Carifesta
Carifesta 14 has opened windows of opportunity for many regional product vendors through a Caribbean stage that has global reach.
St. Kitts and Nevis vendor Anastasha Elliott has been blessed with one such opportunity.
She was asked to give a presentation that summarizes her journey to becoming a young and successful female entrepreneur, in Siparia, Trinidad, just a stone’s throw away from Venezuela.
The initiative was organized by Agripreneur Mastermind Programme (AMP) of Trinidad and Tobago. It provides a platform for young people who are interested in agriculture to plan, run and maintain a related business.
Elliott spoke to the importance of erasing the stigma that agriculture is dirty work. She also spoke to the establishment of business network.
Lead organizer for the initiative Alpha Sennon dubbed the event “Cousoumeh” a traditional term that means all the flavours have together well in the pot.
Homemade wines, local cuisine, homemade soaps, hair products, locally made chocolate and accessories accentuated the event.
Under the stars, with rhythmic beats of the drums, the sweetness of the steel pan and the products of the ambitious young minds, there is only one word that comes to mind- Cousoumeh.
Carifesta 14 shows once again that it is indeed a melting pot of culture, cuisine and music – the glue of the Caribbean islands.
