Six vie for title of Miss Kalinago 2012

Following celebrations for National Heroes Day on March 14, six beautiful young ladies are in final preparations for an event which recognizes our indigenous people.{{more}}

Today, Friday, March 16, the six contestants, mainly from the North Windward constituency will be vying for the title of Miss Kalinago.

“Kalinago” or “Carib”, was a name used by the Europeans to describe the people who inhabited the islands of the Lesser Antilles, including St. Vincent, from about 1200 AD.

Descendants of the Kalinago still live in various communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with the greatest concentration of them residing in the North Windward constituency.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, Maxine Baptiste, organizer of the event and Executive member of the Kalinago Cultural Movement, said the pageant was organized with the intent to showcase some of the cultural practices affiliated with the National Heroes Day celebration.

“As part of the celebrations of National Heroes Day, we organized the event, and during the show, patrons will be able to see some of the practices that our past ancestors were affiliated with…”

This evening’s theme is floral, and according to Baptiste, “the contestants will be portraying one of nature’s best, flowers in the garden.”

Contestants will be judged on Best Cultural wear, best talent, best evening wear and best talent.

Baptiste noted that all the final preparations are in place for the pageant which takes place at the Sandy Bay Learning Resource Centre, starting at 7:00 pm.

The six contestants are Kayzzana Lavia, Kiyiasha Williams, Jenneilia Baptiste, Veniques Baptiste, Destra Browne and Sierra Nero.(AA)