by Curlan Campbell
- UNESCO ICH project in Grenada dubbed “Proud of my Heritage”
- Dr Paolini visited Grenada to access outcomes obtained by Grenada National Trust
- 50 ICH practitioners awarded at Intangible Cultural Heritage Awards Ceremony
Dr Anna Paolini, UNESCO’s Director for the Caribbean Cluster, encourages policymakers to use the information gathered to develop a systemic approach to bringing together intangible heritage protection, transmission and economic development to achieve inclusive social, educational, economic and environmental outcomes.
Her recommendation came after the successful completion of the UNESCO ICH project in Grenada dubbed “Proud of my Heritage: Transmission and safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Grenada through inventorying and education initiatives.” This aligns with UNESCO’s position that the heritage sector plays a significant role in driving growth, supporting local communities and addressing social, educational, economic and environmental inequalities.
Dr Paolini paid a special visit to Grenada from 13–17 March 2023 to access the outcomes obtained by the Grenada National Trust through inventorying of Grenada’s intangible cultural heritage (ICH), which at the end of the project was intended to be adopted within the schools’ curriculum.
The UNESCO Director for the Caribbean Cluster highlighted key outcomes from the project, which include the development of a methodology for inventorying living heritage, updating the existing and developing new materials for inventorying. Her mission to Grenada comprised meetings with government ministers and NGOs and visits to various heritage sites.
“Decision makers and government officials are the ones that should embrace and make this into a long-term strategy and policy in the same way that the Grenada Heritage society has done, so I really hope that the next time I come to the island, I will see the results,” she said.
As part of a ceremony to mark the completion of the project, the Grenada National Trust hosted an Intangible Cultural Heritage Awards Ceremony on 14 March 2023 at The Bay House, Jean Anglais, where, out of the 77 ICH practitioners, teachers, technicians, experts and stakeholders listed to be awarded, 50 received certificates.
Recognising the cultural, symbolic and emotional factors that shape the identities and experiences of individuals, communities and places in Grenada, David Andrew, Minister for Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, was particularly pleased that the project achieved its desired outcomes, especially concerning the transmission to the next generation through the creation of a living heritage curriculum programme for primary schools.
Minister Andrew underscored the need to infuse intangible cultural heritage into the curriculum to help students understand what it means to be a Grenadian. He said, “We have already commissioned the production and publication of locally produced written history materials for use in our schools in our primary and lower secondary schools in preparation for continuation into West Indian history. This, we are confident, will increase the degree of awareness of our Grenadian students as to what it means to be a Grenadian.”
UNESCO understands the importance of integrating intangible cultural heritage in school-based education since students are known to achieve better results as living heritage makes learning more interesting and meaningful.
Among the notable ICH Practitioners recognised was Hermitage Shortknee Band leader Andy “Lakay” Purcell, who has kept the tradition alive since 1985; Cheryl “Lady Cheryl” Antoine for her contribution to Maypole dancing; Nigel De Gale and Godfrey Luke for Drumming and Drum-making respectively; Colin Dowe for Jab Jab; Terrence McLawrence for Boat Poetry in Carriacou, and Fedelin Bethel for Flags and Cake Dance.
