Amitabh Sharma | Caribbean culture comes alive

We have all heard the analogies about Caribbean people and its culture – a compendium, mixed fruit salad, potpourri, melting pot – and we daresay, all of them are true. Add vibrancy, warmth, a riot of colours, explosion of flavours, range of lingual expressions, this region has it all.

These nuances, and all the other analogies, if we may, were at a crescendo at the recently concluded CARIFESTA XV in Barbados. From August 22-30, Bimshire came alive as it became home to the cultural showcase of the region – the arts, music, fashion, food, literature, films, in-depth discussions lifted the vibrancy of the island. It was a potpourri indeed.

The crisp Caribbean sunshine kissed Bridgetown, as participants from 25 countries got ready for Parade of Nations, marking the beginning of this cultural fest. People were lined up on the sidewalks – toddlers in prams, the young and young at heart trying to get a vantage point, armed with their cellphones to get their best shots. Cameramen were at strategic points, even police personnel took a candid moment to capture some of the action.

It was a kaleidoscope of music, dance, colour, and talent that was to set the tone for the 10-day extravaganza – a showcase of cultural immersion and regional celebration. From stilt-walkers towering above the people (“Mummy, look at the giants!” a toddler remarked to her mother, her eyes transfixed with awe), to the colourful costume-clad representatives of the participating countries, the streets came alive with the beat of the drumming ensembles, trumpets, and more. The town was shut down for the afternoon, for this spectacle was going to paint it ... well all the shades and colour combinations we know of ... and no one wanted to miss it.

JOINED IN CELEBRATIONS

It was a people-oriented affair, as each country’s participants slowly made their way towards Queen’s Park (not to be confused the one in Savannah, Port of Spain, as one was reminded throughout the evening). People joined in the celebrations, breaking into dance, soaking in the drum beats, talking selfies and photos, wanting to know about the dresses – and they were not disappointed.

“We need more of this,” said a bystander. “With all the sadness we hear about in the world, this is definitely a breath of fresh air.” We concur!

Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) XV marked the return of the region’s premier arts festival – first after the COVID-19 pandemic. It brought together artists, cultural leaders, and enthusiasts from across the Caribbean and beyond. “The theme of this year’s festival, ‘Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence’ underscored the region’s rich heritage and its far-reaching influence on global artistic expression,” a CARICOM Secretariat communiqué said.

Delegates from the wider Americas and African countries also marched in the parade. There was diversity, yet everyone blended into one.

“You don’t need to have travelled the whole region to feel it. Just stand along the route, watch the procession go by, and you’ll understand. It’s something every child should see. It’s something every Caribbean person should feel,” writes Kim Butcher, programme director of CARIFESTA XV, on the festival’s blog page.

Meandering through the lanes of Bridgetown, where the old world charm came alive, the parade made its way to Queen’s Park (again ... not Savannah, Port of Spain ... came a gentle nudge) where people had gathered in their numbers, some sitting, some mingling around and all of them cheering to the music. The giant screens lit up, and the stage was being set for the fiesta to commence.

A number of dignitaries joined the evening festivities as the crowd erupted into applause as each country’s participants was being introduced in his or her traditional fanfare.

In her address, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley emphasised the need for sustainability of these cultural expressions, their longevity and critically the role of culture and arts in today’s world.

LONG-TERM IMPACT

Mottley stressed the need for CARIFESTA XV to have a long-term impact. “This festival must leave a legacy in the minds of our young people, and through the electronic marketplace Barbados is committed to building for Caribbean practitioners,” she said.

“It is not only enough for your stories to reach the region through broadcast and social media today,” Prime Minister Mottley added. “We want them to last, so the world understands our contribution to humanising the world, to fairness and justice at a time of wars, conflict, geopolitical tensions, and the climate crisis.”

Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Carla Barnett, acknowledged the presence of creative practitioners from outside the region, which she said was a testament of the Caribbean’s growing cultural ties with the African Union. Theatrical productions from Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe participated for the first time.

“The rich and inspiring theme for CARIFESTA XV, ‘Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence’, is an affirmation of a simple, but powerful truth – our strength lies in understanding that, at the core, our history and our heritage are the source of our impact far beyond the shores of our region,” Dr Barnett said.

CARIFESTA is a testimonial of the Caribbean’s richness and the beauty of the confluence of culture it is home to ... and we take the liberty of using our creative licence on this line from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night ... if creativity is the food of love, play on ... .

Amitabh Sharma is the opinion editor and editor of Arts and Education. amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com; X, formerly Twitter @amitabhs.