Stone Masonry Master Teaches Traditional Stone Laying Skills

(Dept. of Creative Economy: Cultural Heritage, St. Kitts, January 30, 2025): – Nine trainees are currently being instructed by Stone Masonry Master Roosvelt Devent on the traditional methods of stonework at the inaugural ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) Adult Knowledge Transfer Training Master Class which commenced at Wingfield, Old Road, Monday January 27, 2025.

With over 30 years of experience Mr. Devent said he honed his skills at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park where he contributed to much of the masonry restoration work over the years.  Honourable Samal Duggins, Minister responsible for Creative Economy: Cultural Heritage, visited the site of the wall that is currently under reconstruction and Mr. Devent explained the importance of passing on his skills.

“I’ve been around the island doing this kind of work and it’s a lot of different sites we have,” the Stonework Master outlined, noting that if he were to die tomorrow it was important to make sure that others had the knowledge needed to carry on the task that would have been left unfinished.

Similarly, Minister Duggins addressed the matter of passing on knowledge, particularly that to do with ICH, noting that it is a critical component of the cultural heritage of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Mr. Devent led Minister Duggins on an inspection of the wall as he explained the techniques being shared during the week-long Master Class.  These include how to secure cut stones, select the right stones according to size, prepare the mortar, the quantities of the different material to use for the mortar and the junking of the centre of the wall.

The Stonework Master Class concludes on Saturday, February 1st on the selected property at Wingfield, Old Road opposite Romney Manor.

This is the first of several Master Classes being conducted by the Department of Creative Economy, Cultural Heritage.  The Master Classes target the adult population while the ICH Core Knowledge Transfer day-camp is designed for 8 to 16-year-olds, teaching them traditional folklore that are at risk of dying.  Both ICH Knowledge Transfer initiatives are geared toward the preservation of the Cultural Heritage of St Kitts and Nevis.

The next Master Class takes place February 01st – 23rd, 2025 and features Coal Making to be conducted by Master Halvor Hendrickson.  Participants will be taught how to make coal the traditional way, while protecting nature and preserving the rainforest creatures’ habitats.

Interested persons can register online by scanning the QR code on the flier at Facebook@skn ich or Instagram@CulturalHeritageSKN or use the following link.

https://forms.gle/M3o47sMWWbdcUqct9

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