One of the most memorable events of the Malliouhana Arts & Culture Festival 2021 was the Culture on the Road event on Saturday, December 4.
It started on a colourful float on the Lawn of the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, otherwise called “Freedom Park”, wending its way across the island, with various stops for interviews with cultural bearers and at places of historical and cultural interest.
The interviews were conducted by Ms. Farrah Banks, Director of Information and Broadcasting, a well-known and well-articulated communicator in Anguilla.
As the vehicle travelled through the various populated settlements, its approach was heralded by the sounds of cultural and Christmas music, attracting the attention of persons along the route and in the villages. The musicians included Michael Martin (Dumpa) on the steelpan, and Perry Hughes on the keyboard – along with recorded music.
The first stop was at the tamarind tree at Meads Bay, a one-time cultural and popular sport for large crowds attending the August Thursday boat races and musical events. Mr. Oliver Carty, a resident of the West End/Long Bay gave some insightful information about the area where boat racing and fishing were prominent features of Meads Bay. He also gave the names of various parts of the expansive beach and coastline, including such places as Mermaids Hole and other cultural and traditional information hardly heard about before.
A stop, of much interest also, was at Sandy Ground where culture and history are both features of the past and present. There, at the northern end of the village, Ms. Avenella Griffith, who was born and resided there for many years, narrated cultural stories surrounding the lives of residents including her parentage.
The main place at which she spoke was at “Uncle Ralph’s house – a colourful and well-preserved small former dwelling place surrounded by modern buildings and tall trees – among the overgrowth being the traditional ginnip trees with sweet and sour produce. The little building is a storehouse of household artifacts of many years of age. They include a 60-year-old bill used for cutting bush around the residence; a kerosene stove; an oil lamp; and other carefully preserved items of yesteryear.
Ms. Griffith is the author of Sandy Ground Tales Series, the first of which is Boat Men.
The village tour proceeded to the northern end of the Road Pond. There, social and cultural historian, Mr. David Carty, spoke in detail, and of considerable interest, about the once salt industry – the main use of the pond many years ago. During that period, salt-picking and exporting were part of the Anguillian life and culture. The salt industry was managed by his uncle, the late Mr. Rupert Carty, and in more recent years, by his cousin, the late Sir Emile Gumbs, one of Anguilla’s former Chief Ministers.
The location at which Mr. Carty was interviewed, by Ms. Farrah Banks, was at a panoramic view of the 70-acre pond. This included the area where the floats to transport the harvested salt were located; and the Salt House where the salt was bagged for shipping to the Trinidad oilfields and elsewhere. Alt House, later known as the Pumphouse, was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and is in course of rebuilding.
Crocus Hill, the highest point in Anguilla, was the next stop. There, Mr. Kenn Banks, a very knowledgeable and founding member of the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society, gave a comprehensive interview of the area. He spoke about the ruins of the historic building which once housed a courthouse, post office, treasury building and a jail. Not far away, was a police station. The building is now being replaced by a modern structure for cultural and historical purposes.
On the route to the eastern end of Anguilla, the touring party passed through the Island Harbour main road. There they viewed the bay with its impressive array of fishing boats and the much active pier. Just at the base of the pier the party also viewed plaques commemorating the 1967 invasion of St. Kitts – and the Royal Visit to Anguilla of the Duke of Wessex, Prince Edward.
The touring party at last reached Heritage Collection Museum, at East End, where they met the owner, curator and historian, Mr. Colville Petty, OBE. The museum offers a most impressive and comprehensive peek into Anguilla’s social, cultural and political history, dating back, in part, to the early inhabitants of Anguilla; artifacts of earlier Anguillian life and culture; and scenes of the Anguillian Revolution. The museum is in fact the centre of Anguillian history – and is one of the first places on Anguilla for tourists seeking a wide knowledge, and understanding, of the island’s history to visit at the start of their arrival in Anguilla.
The rest of the tour continued to Best Buy East on the Long Road and to the Food Strip in The Valley.
The Minister of Social Development and Education, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, spoke about the importance of the tour just before it began.
“Culture on the Road is an event to help us in Anguilla appreciate our culture a bit more,” she stated. “A lot of times we market our culture to our tourists who are coming in to enjoy the island, but it is also for us to appreciate what we have here – our artistes, our music, our culture and our spots on the island.”
The Minister added: “It is important for us, at the Ministry of Social Development and Education, and the Department of Youth and Culture, to do our best to ensure that culture can stay alive; and it can remain a part of our people’s memory. It is not only part of the July/August months of carnival. We want it to be a constant event and moment to share with the people of Anguilla. It is a big, big, part of us – and it is important for us all, from the youngest to the oldest, to appreciate our culture.”
