New activities on cards for Nine Mornings

Story, photos and video by ELDONTE SAMUEL

Vincentians will soon be waking up at pre-dawn to chilly weather, the perfume of fresh oranges and a town flooded with lights and entertainment.

This, as Nine Mornings, the unique staple to Vincy Christmas, will be celebrated under the team ‘Our Christmas, Our Vibe’ from December 16 – 24.

In ushering in the Christmas celebrations on Sunday, December 3, Chairman of the National Nine Mornings Management Committee, Orande Bomani Charles acknowledged the importance of the festival and why it should be kept alive.

“We encourage you to embrace this festival, as it is our own unique creation for Vincentians. For well over 100 years, we have awakened in the wee hours of the morning, nine days before Christmas to engage in wholesome fun and entertainment…as far as we know, this happens no where else in the world, we must be proud.”

The Chairman encouraged patrons to take part in their community Nine Mornings activities. He added that for this year, the festival at Heritage Square, Kingstown will see an added feature for bicycle riders.

“Scores of you coming to town every Nine Mornings, this year we’ll be creating a special place for you, along Back Street … you would have some obstacle courses, some ramps and thing…you can show off your skills.”

Also for this year, the committee is hoping to transform the area into an interactive one, “We’ll have some murals, a seating area, you can come down in the day, have lunch and enjoy the ambiance…for free.”

BARROUALLIE – Winners of Community New Song competition.

Charles said that steel bands will be going through communities, allowing persons to be awakened by the “sweet sound of pan all across St Vincent.”

Additionally, there will be a ‘Wake N Wheel’ added feature.

The Chairman said that this will be an opportunity for persons to win ATV Tours, appliances and more for Christmas every morning.

“Nine lucky persons will be chosen to spin the wheel, there will be nine spins per morning and every spin is a win.”

Cultural Officer at the Ministry of Culture, Maxine Browne in her remarks asked the audience to ponder on: “What can you do to help promote and preserve our unique festival, Nine Mornings?”

Sharing facts on the festival, Browne expressed thanks to persons who support the festival every year adding that, “The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines through the Department of Culture continues to invest in ‘arwe’ folk culture, ‘arwe’ Nine Mornings and we are proud of the hard work that the government continues to put in through the National Lotteries and all our stakeholders, because we believe in you.”

She spoke on the value and identity of the festival as well as the preservation and teaching of it, acknowledging the history attached to Nine Mornings.

Additionally, Browne emphasised that Nine Mornings is ‘our festival’ and that persons from abroad visit the country just to get a taste of ‘arwe’ culture.

“This is our Nine Mornings, we out to cherish it, promote it, preserve it and as they say, big up! ‘Arwe’ Nine Mornings.”

The Cultural Officer concluded by expressing the importance of the media and documentation of Nine Mornings so that future generations can know about and continue carrying on the Nine Mornings tradition.

A street parade preceded the official launch of the Nine Mornings festival.

Part of the parade was a ‘Best Community Street Parade’ competition which was won by the village of Fitz Hughes. Stubbs placed second, while Carriere placed third.

FITZ HUGHES placed 2nd in the Community Song Competition.

Additionally, there was a ‘Community New Song’ competition, which was won by Barrouallie, who dethroned last year’s winner Fitz Hughes into second place. Richland Park placed third.

Three community icons were awarded for their contributions to the Nine Mornings festival over the years.

The Sion Hill Lighting Up Committee was awarded for taking part in the Community Christmas lighting competition for the last 25 years. Mervin Thomas accepted the award on behalf of the community.

Rupert Alexis was acknowledged for his contribution to Nine Mornings, having built their first stage ‘De House’.Jomoro Francis accepted the award on Alexis’s behalf.

Junior Mason, who is the Technical Officer on the National Nine Mornings Committee worked along with the team for 15 – 20 years and was awarded for his contribution.

There was an array of performances by local groups and artistes as well as a performance by Colombian group Semblanzas Del Rio Guapi.

The launch also heard remarks from the sponsors VINLEC and the National Lotteries Authority.