Efforts are being made to safeguard the cultural traditions of the British Virgin Islands. A week was specifically dedicated to the cause – Culture Week – November 5 through November 30.

Several activities were planned to create awareness and interest in cultural preservation during that week.

A BVI Country Conference held in October brought to the table several papers on issues that are affecting the Territory, one of which was the dying culture.

Held under the theme: Society in Progress: Multi-disciplinary Perspectives, 13 papers were presented with one session dedicated to the Bicentenary celebrations with a focus on emancipation issues in the BVI. The papers presented were, “The Story of the Tortola Boat as the key to Cultural Identity in the BVI,” written by Mr. Geoffrey Brooks; “There is Something Greater than a Temple Here: A Pedagogical Exercise in Cultural Transformations by Dr. Patricia Turnbull; Dr. Dennis Gill’s: “Should Cultural Diversity be perceived as an albatross around the neck of the British Virgin Islands?”

The fourth paper by Dr. Adelle Belle-Barry was titled: “BVI Culture – One or many?”

The papers looked extensively at the existing culture in the BVI and what needs to be done to preserve the culture. In addition, one of the papers also addressed the issue of mixed culture, how many immigrants living here and how the BVI can still preserve and maintain its true unique culture and identity.

The papers will soon be published where the public will get an opportunity to read the works of the various authors. They were put together after extensive research by the authors.

The BVI, like any other country, has its own unique way of life that is threatened by the fact that there is no passing down of the culture.

The culture of fish pot making is done primarily by the older folks. Farming is also done primarily by the older folks, and so is boat building and other works.

A recent interview this newspaper had with a 79-year-old farmer proved that the older generation is concerned of what is going to become of their culture. The farmer expressed his disappointment with what is being done to encourage young people to take up farming and continue the lifestyle that has been inherited by our ancestors.

Interestingly, the St. George’s Primary School was taken on a tour of the Sugar Works Museum and the Callwood Distillery in Cane Garden Bay earlier this week. The tour was part of the activities organised by the school to get the children to learn more about the BVI’s culture.

It was astounding though to find out that many of the children were unaware of the lifestyle and important aspects of the BVI culture.

One child said she thought the Callwood Distillery was something to do with slavery. It was not until the tour of the distillery she found out that it was a place where rum was made.

Sadly this proves we need to do more to get the younger generation to understand the BVI culture. Parents need to teach their children about the culture, likewise teachers need to be well informed about the culture of the BVI so that they can teach the children in an effort to help with its preservation.

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