Garifuna museum to be constructed at Dorsetshire Hill

A Garifuna museum is to be established at Dorsetshire Hill.

Parliamentary representative for the area and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Cecil McKie made the disclosure last week{{more}} as he delivered greetings at the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at the obelisk at Dorsetshire Hill on National Heroes’ Day.

McKie said a museum will be established in that community “in the shortest possible time”, to reflect the Garifuna culture and way of life.

“We are going to draw on the resources from our friends in the region, and we are going to also partner with the Garifuna centre to establish that very important museum here in this location. The community commits to it.”

Just one day before McKie made his announcement, Yurumei House, an International Garifuna Research Centre, was opened at Arnos Vale, as part of the International Garifuna Conference, which was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from March 10 to 13.

Held under the theme “Appreciating our Identity; Preserving our Heritage with Pride”, the program saw dignitaries, including the Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Ces Mckie, Leacock, Venezuelan, Taiwanese, Brazilian, Cuban Ambassadors, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Representative of the National Youth Council and other interest groups laying wreaths, accompanied by drumming from school drummers.

The keynote address was delivered by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Greetings were delivered by a representative of the National Youth Council, Zoila Ellis-Browne on behalf of the Garifuna Heritage Foundation, St. Clair Leacock on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, and Minister of Culture Cecil McKie.

Cultural items were performed by Nneka McMillan who sang the national anthem in Garifuna and Glenroy “Sulle” Caesar who sang the theme song of Heritage Month, “March”. Dances were done by pupils of the C.W. Prescod School and members of the Calinago Youth Movement. The Dorsetshire Hill Primary School gave an impressive cultural item and read a citation.

The master of ceremony was Cecil Charles of the Ministry of Education, and a prayer was said by Nigel Morgan of the Ministry of Culture.