Culture Day on St. John was hosted by Friends of Virgin Islands National Park last week in Cruz Bay. Over 500 students from St. John and St. Thomas gathered to celebrate Virgin Islands’ culture and heritage.
St. Thomas and St. john students gather for Culture Day. (Photo courtesy Friends of Virgin Islands National Park)
A great day was had learning about broom making, bee keeping, Taino heritage, the medicinal uses of plants, Bamboula dancing, the spirit of the moko jumbie, and more from some 15 culture bearers, performers and artisans. A true community event, UVI student volunteers helped teachers shepherd students, according to Friends of Virgin Islands National Park.
The Guainia Taino tribe proudly shared their heritage and history. (Photo courtesy Friends of Virgin Islands National Park)Allegra Christopher and her Bamboula crew from UVI talked about community and communication in dance and taught kids some moves. (Photo courtesy Friends of Virgin Islands National Park)Yisrael Peterson and some of his moko jumbie students talked about the spirits and the importance of the mask role of the moko jumbie. (Photo courtesy Friends of Virgin Islands National Park)A wealth of information about the medicinal and traditional uses of Virgin Islands plants was shared by Loreli Hill. (Photo courtesy Friends of Virgin Islands National Park)Stories of crafting, making and music were woven by Ital Anthony. (Photo courtesy Friends of Virgin Islands National Park)
