Group journeys across ocean in traditional canoe

Some twenty-seven persons aboard a traditional dug-out canoe paddled through rain and rough seas to arrive at port Kingstown earlier this week as part of a Caribbean project.{{more}}

The Kytangomingo project Phase two: “Our Ancestors Ways” journied to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday May 17, 2010. The project seeks to retrace the journey of the Caribbean’s ancestors from the Orinioco river in South America to Martinique.

The team, the Karisko Association, made up of sixty persons, is headed by Captain Thierry L’Etang and comprises students, teachers and adventurists.

Speaking to the media shortly after their arrival, Benoit Berard, a professor of Archaeology explained that the project, which began in Martinique, has three main concepts.

It seeks to develop a deeper relationship in the West Indies, to maintain a unified culture by spreading the culture of the ancestors and to increase relations among the islands.

Louise Mitchell of the SVG National Trust explained that the group will be partaking in several activities during the course of the week. The activities includ excavation exercises at Argyle, seminars at various schools across the island and sailing from Kingstown to the leeward side of the island.

The team’s next destination is St. Lucia. The project is expected to be completed on May 22.(OS)