Visitors delight in ‘Bush Tea’ at Heritage Exhibition
by Grace Francis
A bush tea exhibition hosted by the National Public Library, Archives and Documentation Services (NPLADS) in collaboration with the Garifuna Heritage Foundation (TGHF) drew students, cultural advocates and members of the public to the library in Kingstown this week as part of activities for the 13th International Garifuna Conference. The three-day exhibition, which runs until March 13, 2026, forms part of a wider programme of activities aimed at celebrating indigenous heritage, promoting cultural awareness, and preserving traditional knowledge in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
The conference itself is being held under the theme “Sacred Grounds, Strategic Goals: Inclusion, Reparations, Balliceaux and the 2030 Pathway to Garifuna Empowerment.”
On Thursday, March 12, 2026 visitors from several organisations, along with students from pre-schools were among those who toured the exhibition to learn about the many herbs that are commonly found across the country, and their potential benefits for health and everyday life. A number of locally known plants, commonly referred to in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) as “bush,” were displayed as part of the exhibition. These included periwinkle, sage, baldhead, bitter albert, and even marijuana. Each plant was displayed with informational posters explaining the medicinal properties associated with the herb, and identifying which parts of the plant are traditionally used for teas, remedies or for other purposes.
The exhibition aims to highlight traditional herbal knowledge and medicinal practices that have been passed down through generations within indigenous communities, particularly among the Garifuna people. The Garifuna Heritage Foundation has been actively promoting the preservation and documentation of this cultural knowledge as part of its broader efforts to strengthen awareness of indigenous heritage in St Vincent and the Grenadines and across the Caribbean. Organisers noted that many of the plants showcased at the event can be found growing naturally throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines, yet their medicinal value is often overlooked.
Visitors to the exhibition were also given the opportunity to sample bush tea during a tasting session. Several herbal teas were prepared and offered for sampling, including catnip, heather flower, comfrey leaf and tarragon.
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