Dominica Island Blog: Sharing Every Dominican Moment with the World

Creole Dress Parade

Written by Chris in Dominica Events No Comments →

Every last Friday before Independence Dominica celebrates Creole Day.This is day where all Dominicans wear at least some variations of the national dress – the Wob Dwiyet is the centerpiece of Dominica’s National Wear and is worn in a variety of different styles.

To celebrate Creole Day this reunion year, the Cultural Division and the Dominica Reunion Committee held a Creole Dress Parade through the streets of Roseau showcasing the different variations of Dominica’s National Wear/Dress - while parade participants and visitors dance to the sweet sounds of Jing Ping music playing in the background.

Here are some photos from the Creole Dress Parade…enjoy

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Plans to Ease Traffic Congestion During the Reunion Season

Written by Chris in Information No Comments →

In an effort to minimize the amount of criminal activities, and to ease the amount of traffic in flowing through city of Roseau, the police have stepped up their game by developing a National Security plan during the Independence Reunion Season.

The plan includes barricading some streets during the World Creole Music Festival and Creole in the Park.

Accordingly to the police, there will be a low tolerance for non-compliance with traffic laws and there is a strong chance that person’s vehicles will be towed. With some 27,000 licensed drivers, 19,000 licensed motor vehicles – and with about 6000 vehicles crossing through Roseau daily could cause some serious problems.

Dominica Grammar School court, the Newtown Savannah, Lindo Park and Pottersville Savannah will be used for parking at a small fee – with police patrol to unsure safety.

IMPORTANT: On the evenings of the Creole Festival (Oct 31st- Nov 2nd), there will be no parking on Valley Road on either side from the junction of Bath Road, to the Bath Estate Bridge. Residents of River Street will be allowed to park on River Street and will be issued a national pass to River Street motorists to identify them. Also there will be no parking on either sides of Independence Street from the E.C Loblack Bridge to Kennedy Avenue, Cork Street and from the junction of Bath Road to Great George Street.

During Creole in the Park (Oct 27 – Oct 30) arrangements have been made so that parents picking up their children from school can park in Botanic Gardens from 12:30 to 2:30pm.

Reaping What We Sow

Written by Chris in opinion 1 Comment →

Today, while heading to the bank I walked passed the Offences Court and I was surprise to see the number of youths facing charges. I immediately felt sick to my stomach as one after the other they stood up to be remanded for theft, given bail for drugs, domestic violence, and gun possession – just to name a few. As we say in Dominica, some of these young people don’t know their head from their rear and they’re already pleading guilty to some shocking crimes.

It appears there are too many angry youths out there who are under the impression that there is only one way to resolve conflicts- violence! Too make matters worse, there was several middle aged men (I’m talking about full-grown men) answering to charges. We’re always quick to cry down the youth, but the older ones are too busy being prefect role models for them to follow. Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of people out there that youths can look up too.

Looking on, I saw several mothers crying for their sons and I felt some sympathy for them. As I stand there, I could help noticing the absence of these children fathers – which suggests the minimal role these fathers’ play in the life of these children if any. I can’t help wondering about the level of discipline taught in these homes and if warning signs were brush aside because the parent/s could not recognize or simply cast a blinded eye – then we’re truly ‘reaping what we sow’ and it’s quite frightening.