|
It was in February of 1974 at a general meeting of the Nevis
Dramatic and Cultural Society that the previous Christmas
festival was part of the discussion. It was felt that much
of the old familiar trupes were missing and that some of the
activities indigenous to Nevis at Christmas time were
lacking.
Lengthy discussions as
Join the Culturama Discussionto what improvements could be made
and suggestions of another festival at Easter time was
looked at. At that time the suggestions of another was not
given serious consideration, but it was at the next general
meeting of the group that Calvin "Cabo" Howell, the Vice
President stressed the need and urgency to start to preserve
our customs and folk art, as these were rapidly declining in
our community.
Having secured a name, the time of the year was the next
step. The people of Nevis are mainly of African descent and
since we celebrate the freedom of slaves (Emancipation) on
Nevis the first day in August, it was decided that there was
no better time than the August weekend for the event. The
first programme included Dancing, Drama, Display, Old
Fashion Troupes (i.e Johnny Walkers, Giant and Spear, Bulls,
Red Cross, Blue Ribbon etc.) Folk Singing and Arts and
Crafts. A local recipe competition and the Miss Culture Show
and Calypso Competition.
The Nevis Dramatic and Cultural Society's main purposes
for this Cultural Festival are:
1. to give a vital thrust to our dying traditional customs.
2. To stimulate an interest in the wealth of our cultural
heritage (local folk art).
3. To receive and create a climate in which indigenous
folklore can reassert itself and flourish. And of course a
secondary purpose was to raise funds to build a Community
Center to serve as a necessary base for the projection of
Cultural Awareness Programmes.
About The Creators And Planners
The creation and planning of this event which has been
one of the outstanding Caribbean festivals was the work of
Mr. Calvin "Cabo" Howell. A dramatic enthusiast, along with
his group came up with the idea for such a celebraton out of
his love for just 'plin ole' puttingon shows. Also
responsible for the sucess in the creation were the first
organizers of the first ever celebration. Among them were
Irma Johnson, Victor Jay Martin, Lyra Richards, Tyrone "Bahowlah"
O'flaherty, Melford Henville and Clifford "Boots' Griffin,
and many others who worked behind the scenes. The one common
quality within the small nucleus of founding members was a
sense of dedication to the promulgation of the Arts. Through
their extensive research and documentation attempts to
better  understand the
influences which shaped the lives of our fore-bearers and to
present these through a medium of stage in song, dance and
other art forms during these celebrations. From its
inception, Culturama is the bringing to life of Nevisian
Cultural Heritage. It is a time when our people are awakened
to appreciate our unique life-style. It is a time when our
people become aware and are taught to respect our culture.
It is a five day (sometimes seven) day exposition of folk
art in all forms. It is festival with a difference and it is
educational and entertaining. The first festival held in
1974 did not set out to outdo the National Carnival, neither
is it competitive , but year after year hundreds of
Nevisians from abroad and visitors alike feel somewhat
compelled to return for the occasion and to grasp the
essence of the true Nevisian life.
|
|
About Culturama
Picture Gallery
Profiling Joe Go Brandy
Masquerades
Talented
Youth
Nevis Information
So, Where
is Nevis?
Where to Stay
Sponsors
|
May 8th 2006.