CARIBBEAN NEWS - Vol. 4; No. 2
February, 2006
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD (BBC/CARIBBEAN-2/13/06)- At their summit meeting held here, CARICOM leaders decided to welcome Haiti back into the fold. Jamaica's Prime Minister PJ Patterson said the leaders feel vindicated, now that Haitians have voted for a new government of their own.
Trinidad & Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Manning said, "I certainly am greatly pleased at the decision of the community which will allow Haiti to return to the CARICOM family."
Also coming out of the meeting, the CARICOM leaders confirmed that member states will conribute $120 million(US) to the establishment of a regional development fund. Trinidad & Tobago has pledged $20 million with the rest to come from other CARICOM members.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL.USA (BBC/CARIBBEAN-2/14/06)- U.S. immigration officials arrested a Haitian woman after baggage screeners found a human head in her luggage. Myriene Severe, 30, has been charged with failing to declare the head on customs forms and transporting hazardous material. She said the head was to ward off evil spirits. She is facing up to 15 years if convicted.
A spokesman for Miami's immigration and customs agency said the head was not simply a skull. It was described as having teeth, hair and skin, and quite a bit of dirt.
Although a U.S. resident, Ms. Severe had traveled to Cap Hatien in Haiti, to obtain the head for use as part of her voudou beliefs. The practice of voudou, an Afro-Caribbean religion whose roots go back thousands of years, is still widespread in Haiti. It has been officially recognised as a religion there since 2003.
ST. CROIX, US VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI DAILY NEWS-1/23/06)- Close to 100 people, including historians, archaeologists and tourism experts, attended the 18th Annual Conference titled: "Salt River, St. Croix- Historical Perspectives and Future Development" at the UVI campus. The goal of the conference was to heighten awareness about the historical importance of Salt River and the potential benefits of the site as a premier heritage and culture destination in the Caribbean. Historians believe Salt River Bay is the site of Christopher Columbus' only documented landing in the United States 512 years ago.
Topics discussed ranged from historical significance to the theory that Columbus' landing site was actually elsewhere on St. Croix. Also discussed was how best to market Salt River Bay as a tourist attraction and the latest efforts to preserve the site.
Salt River has long been regarded as a treasure trove of more than 2000 years of human history. From prehistoric tribes through the time of the Taino and Carib Indians and up to the present day, the site has been used by many tribes and immigrants to St. Croix. Columbus' logbook of Nov. 14, 1493, details a search for fresh water at the site and the first documented interaction between the Europeans and the indigenous people of the Caribbean. A skirmish is said to have erupted between them and the Carib's there.
The surrounding land is a pristine ecological site housing threatened and endangered wildlife. Prehistoric and colonial ruins, including the only Taino ceremonial ball court in the Lesser Antilles, are features. Congress established the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve in 1992 and is managed jointly by the National Park Service and the V.I. government.
ST. JOHN, USVI (TRADEWINDS-1/2/06)- The long-planned, often-delayed and secretive Pond Bay Club project is in trouble. Its government authorization has expired. A spokesman for the Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources said, "The permit isn't open and has been expired for some time. They have 12 months after the issue of the permit to start work."
The managing partner of the project, Bob Emmett, said environmental work is going on at the site of the planned luxury condominium and resort. Locals, however, report no activity on the 15-acre beachfront site.
Emmett said, "The permit required us to do extensive environmental testing. We're not allowed to start construction until that process is finished."
If the DPNR spokesman is right, though, it could be that the Pond Bay Club is finished. He stated that the developers have lost their authority and must go through the permitting process again. (see Archived News-Vol.#5[the homepage] for a background article ).
CARIBBEAN NEWS IN BRIEF:
NETHERLAND ANTILLES (BBC/CARIBBEAN-2/14/06)- An international team of scientists say they've discovered previously unknown species of fish and new types of seaweed, on a remote coral atoll here. The atoll- at Saba Bank- is the top of a large undersea dormant volcano that rises from the ocean floor but does not break the surface. It is ringed by coral reefs.
Researchers say it could be the most diverse marine environment in the Atlantic Ocean. While the majority of the coral reef and shallow-water habitats in the Caribbean are associated with inhabited islands- and the pollution, development and runoff that accompany them- Saba Bank is isolated and a flourishing habitat. A scientist who dived with the expedition compared the underwater scene to a mini-rainforest.
GUYANA (BBC/CARIBBEAN-2/14/06)- The government here has confirmed it will encourage residents to convert their homes into bed-and-breakfasts to help offset a shortage of hotel rooms during the World Cup in 2007.
Homeowners will be eligible for loans to build additions to their homes and buy new furniture to help provide lodging for visitors.
JAMAICA (BBC/CARIBBEAN-2/14/06)- Officials here have been testing local birds for avian flu during the past month. The testing is an attempt to protect the country against the deadly virus now spreading across Asia, Europe and Africa.
Presently, there have been no cases of avian flu reported anywhere in the Caribbean region.
ST. THOMAS (ARAWAKROOTS NEWS-1/29/06)- What cost you $3 last February will cost you almost 3 times as much this February, thanks to a second fare increase in 5 months for the Red Hook ferries and a new baggage charge. The regular fare has been boosted to $5 one way. If you're traveling with 2 pieces of luggage, it's $11!. The fare from downtown Charlotte Amalie to St. John has been raised from $7 to $11.50.
The fare increases were approved by the VI Public Services Commission. The PSC calls the increases "temporary", but acknowledges that while fuel prices have skyrocketed, the ferry rates had been unchanged since 1989. A $2 baggage fee, instituted in August, has been increased to $3.
ST. JOHN (ARAWAKROOTS NEWS-1/28/06)- The Superintendant of V.I. National Park revealed plans for a new hiking trail and "back-country camping facilities" during his State of the Park address. Art Frederick also told about extensive plans underway to maintain and repair North Shore Road. The $2.8 million project is expected to be complete by December.
ENTERTAINMENT:
PLYMOUTH, TOBAGO (T&T EXPRESS-2/18/06)- The Plymouth Jazz Festival Tobago will be held April 21-23 at the Plymouth Recreation Ground. Slated to appear are Sting, Diddy, Patti LaBelle, Natalie Cole, Vanessa Williams, Rhianna, Heather Headley, Doug E Fresh and Johnny Gill. Tickets are slated to go on sale internationally on March 15.
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD (T&T EXPRESS-2/19/06)- Are the Calypso Tents dying? Calypso Spektakula, one of the country's leading tents, closed because the market has dwindled to a shadow of what it used to be. Rows of empty chairs tell the sad story of what seems to be the end of a Trinidadian institution.
And what about Calypso itself? The era of the songster- felt hat tipped jauntily on his head as he makes society laugh at itself- is gone. Or is it? Maybe the songster has only changed his costume and his method of delivery.
Professor Gordon Rohlehr of the University of the West Indies says, "I won't agree that Calypso is dying. I believe it's morphing...while it's morphing, you'll find traces of the old traditions that go back to the 1930's...they service different generations and different tastes."
Calypso veteran Mighty Chalkdust says, "People want to laugh. The Calypsonian used to take serious issues and massage them, put humor into them. But what you hearing now in the tents is journalists speaking. There's a language to Calypso, that is missing."
Commenting on Soca, Mighty Chalkdust said, "Soca is 'Soul Calyso'. Calypso has always been changing...Soca is just one version of it." Prof. Rohlehr said, "Soca is about Carnival. It's tied to being young...Young people are carrying a burden that my generation didn't have to carry. AIDS, crime...all that frenzy is about chasing the demons. It's exorcism."
Professor Rohlehr has the final word: "Calypso reinvents itself...primarily in response to complex pressures within Trinidad's parochial and infinitely complicated society. Hybrid song-forms reflect alliances that are constantly taking place in a society that is restless, hyperactive, driven by an excess of adrenaline."
CARNIVAL NEWS:
UPDATE-2/24/06 from the BBC/CARIBBEAN- Releasing the proverbial pressure valve is a key priorty in several Caribbean countries. From the world-renowned Trinidad carnival where reverberating steelpans compete with pulsating brass bands, to Dominica, Haiti, Guadalope, Martinique, St. Maarten and Guyana, it's as if the entire Caribbean is caught up in the ecstatic throes of one massive non-stop party.
Haitians, having just gone through the rigours of crucial presidential elections will be looking to some relief from the politics and social and economic woes to sweet relief in their Kompa music and colorful displays of unique Haitian art.
The carnival season is a major revenue earner for the various countries where the event is being marketed as a tourist attraction. It also brings in much needed foreign exchange with hordes of oversea nationals returning home to have a good time.
A happy and safe carnival to all the 'partying' nations! Carnival season continues throughout the coming months- for some islands in December. Keep a watch on our Carnival calender on the homepage!
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD (T&T EXPRESS-2/18/06)- The Queen's Park Savannah was awash with colour at the Red Cross Children's Carnival Competition. The competition, in its 50th year, attracted an impressive number of competitors and crowd. Children of various ages, from babes to 15-year-olds, pranced in their extravagant costumes, posing for the judges and cameras.
Costume themes ranged from traditional mas to figures from Roman and Greek mythology. Ethnic roots were not ignored. Nazarie Baptiste won a special prize for her "High Priestess of Asante" and Renell Elias's "Fancy For So" was a visual celebration of traditional Amerindian wear. The winning band's theme was "What Dreams May Come".
ST. CROIX,USVI (VI DAILY NEWS-2/18/06)- Thousands of people turned out for opening day of the 35th Annual Agriculture and Food Fair, which featured an opening ceremony, public quadrille dance and fireworks. This year's theme, "Agriculture and Tourism: A Perfect Mix in 2006" highlights tourism as a diverse industry that includes agro-tourism.
During the opening ceremony, Agriculture Commissioner Lawrence Lewis pointed out the importance of realizing that agriculture is an important part of the island's culture and history and that there is a need to preserve it and pass on the skills to the youth (Pato's note: St. Croix was once known as "The Breadbasket of the Caribbean").
The fair is showcasing more than 70 vendors selling locally-made items, along with entertainment, major exhibits, fashion shows,calypso shows, rides and much more. Local farmers and farmers from other islands, including Grenada, Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua and Dominica, will have their produce and plants on display and for sale.
By day's end, awards were received for Livestock Farmers of the Year which went to Dale and Yvette Browne, for raising South African Boer goats and their crossbreeds. Into farming since 1994, the couple generate revenue for their farm by selling goat meat (a local favorite) and also using their unique goats for breeding. The Browne's said farmers must band together to get things done. With the proper marketing, technical training and government assistance, they believe the industry could take off in the territory and provide healthy, local food options that would also make the Virgin Islands more self-sufficient.
The day's other major award went to Oswald Jackson- this year's Crop Farmer of the Year. The Antigua native is a carpenter by trade, but during the last 15 years has been growing vegetables on the side. He quit his carpenter job 3 years ago to grow commercially, and before long it was a full time job and thriving business. He was awarded for growing several lush crops, including eggplant. The award winner is selected by a panel of judges who visit the farms 3 times during the year. They consider the farmer's use of technology, pest control, layouts, crop health, variety and consistency.
Jackson said, "Farming gives me peace of mind. It really excites me to put something in the soil and then to see something come from it...I don't see why we import vegetables when we have the land here. We have to go back to our roots. By doing so, we will be healthier people."
