Are We Truly Doing Enough as Antiguans and Barbudans to Preserve our History and Culture.
Independence should resonate deeply within the hearts of all Antiguans and Barbudans. It is a significant milestone that represents our collective identity, yet it seems that this celebration has started to lose its true meaning and impact annually.
The responsibility to honor our history and educate both the younger generation and our non-national peers lies heavily on us, rather than solely depending on government initiatives or the Ministry of Creative Industries. As citizens we need to take ownership of our heritage, actively promoting a sense of pride that goes beyond official events.
Reflecting on initiatives like the annual National Dress Day, it is disheartening to see the lack of enthusiasm, especially within the private sector and many schools that opted to hosting Mod day activities instead of aligning their support and focus on the importance of this initiative. This lack of patriotism is palpable every year, diminishing the vibrancy of our cultural celebrations and almost disrespectful to our culture and us as citizens who are deeply passionate about our heritage.
The annual Youth Rally, which should be a major outlet to further reinforce and promote the significance of attaining political independence often disappoints. Not to mention the overwhelming infusion of dancehall music during the judged competitions (DJ, Drills, Cheerleading). While diverse musical expressions are welcomed, they should not overshadow our local music especially songs significant to the celebrations. It’s essential to strike a balance that honors our cultural roots, allowing our local music to shine through.
Our national food fair as well have gradually shifted and continue towards mainstream offerings such as burgers, wings and pasta, diluting the local culinary experience and alienating interest from people who actually want to experience our local food, snacks, sweet treats. Do not get me wrong – Antigua is a melting pot of islands and culture and it warms my heart to see the various islands having a space to showcase their culinary offerings but at our national food fair ALL THINGS ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA should be front and center. Last year, I was literally on a quest to find stuff like ashum, sugar cake, homemade ice-cream and the likes and the local food was lost lost lost in between the long lines for pasta, burgers, seafood boil, etc.
The concern is whether in the next 20 years, our unique culture will become a mere memory, faded by the neglect and disinterest that we witness daily. A recent conversation with a non-national coworker made me pause and reflect on this reality. Their excitement about experiencing our Independence was palpable; however, they noted how it seemed to lack the fervor and significance they associate with celebrations in their homeland.
This perspective has prompted me to introspect on the level of civic pride that I, as a born Antiguan, may have taken for granted. It is crucial for us to rekindle that pride and commitment to our culture, ensuring that our Independence remains a vibrant and celebrated aspect of our identity.
“But my people fought on for 400 years, oppressed faces drenched with tears, so now that we have become a free nation sound de drum – Antigua Freedom Forever – Barbuda Freedom Forever”
May we never forget the reason for our annual celebrations!
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We are doing literally nothing. I went to Antigua, it is unrecognizable culturally. Also in terms of people, language, food, morals, folkways, and norms.
Administrative, also unrecognizable, all or most or vital positions at government agencies/bureaus/commissions/administrations are filled with foreigners and in areas that Antiguans and Barbudans actually have the advance degree in that field.
So, there are zero preservation of anything at this. But this is what the citizens selected and elected. From 2003 until 2024. You got what you selected.
Yes, well I am a naturalised Antiguan and Barbudan. As long as we are in the business of criticising, lamenting, waiting on Goverment and doing little ourselves our culture and way of life will recede into the background and will become non-existent in the minds of our young people. If we don’t know where we come from we will not know where we are going. It’s that simple.
Opinion- NO, YOU ARE NOT!
Scott
No I think that boat sailed a long time ago
At this point, I’ve personally given up on past Antiguan “culture”. There are many beautiful and unique aspects that sadly have been lost. (We) Antiguans were a small people who have disappeared from history. Soon traditional Antigua will be just another historical story. I enjoy the memories and wish the upcoming generation could have experienced certain things, but the past is over. The major problem is not that the past is over, the problem is there is no thought being given to how we want to actively shape the present and the future in a good way. So, right now Antiguan society is an erratic anything goes place with little meaning or true community happiness. Realistically a lot of traditional foods were not grown here but brought in to feed the slaves (e.g. cornmeal, saltfish etc.) I think we should create a new modern culture based on what is actually produced in these parts locally and from nearby islands e.g. sweet potato, pineapple, plantain, pumpkin, guava, tamarind, snapper etc. should be the focus of our culinary festivals. E.g. infuse foreign foods like hamburger with pineapple sauce or some such thing. We should have competitions to invent new locally relevant dishes. Other islands base their national dishes on what actually grows there so their traditional foods live on. We can honor the past foods but shift to the present. Also, newcomers to Antigua are more likely to embrace local dishes if they are based on the resources produced here at low cost. This can bring the community of people from different places together as “Antiguans” supporting one another instead of fighting for dominance.
I agree that school MOD Days should be more relevant to events taking place at a particular time. It must be confusing to students why they are having these random unrelated days. MOD days could also be made more meaningful by have short relevant activities on the day. What’s the point in dressing up in an outfit and then just going to class all day as usual?
It’s hard to be enthusiastic about Antigua when Antiguans make life for each other so difficult. Try to buy a local meal in town and you get all kinds of attitude if you don’t look like their kind of person. Much easier to just buy generic food at a supermarket deli or a Syrian burger joint. Try to buy clothing in town and get all kinds of attitude from the young sales girls. Much easier to just order from American outlets online. Try to watch or listen to local programming and it’s all political cussing. So, of course people would rather watch content from other countries. People naturally try to avoid traumatic experiences. So, of course our young people are becoming more Americanized and our local culture is dying as people gravitate towards happier experiences. If you don’t want to share the culture nicely it will die. Not everything from other countries is good and some good local aspects are being lost so young people should be careful, but it’s really not their fault that the adults are too busy fighting one another to pass on the good aspects of the culture to the up and coming generation.
Was real disappointed in the national dress day. Everybody wearing pink like we didn’t have the whole month to wear pink