2026 ICH CULTURE CAMP ACCELERATES GOAL OF INCREASING SKILLED ARTISANS OF FOLKLORE PROPS & ACCESSORIES

(Dept. of Cultural Heritage, St. Kitts, August 01, 2026): This year, the ICH Core Knowledge Transfer Camp taught near 30 campers how to construct the cultural accessories of the Masquerade Crown, the Gubby Face, the Bull Headpiece, the Bull Tail, the wooden Mocko Jumbie stilts and two Mummies Headpieces from July 27th to 31st at the St. Johnson’s Community Centre.        

In order to address the declining numbers of the skilled artisans who know how to make the props and accessories for cultural performers, the Department of Cultural Heritage decided to devote this year’s summer session to these skillsets.  This undertaking fulfills part of the Department’s objective to safeguard the living heritage of St. Kitts and Nevis. 

In previous years, the camp focused on teaching the dances of the cultural performances that are most at risk such as the Actors, Mummies, traditional Clowns, Mocko Jumbies and String Band instruments.  Campers were taught the dances during the camp and encouraged to join troupes of such cultural performers or foster the formation of their own groups in their communities.  Ultimately, former and current ICH Campers have joined such performers as The Ancestral Mummies, the Sandy Point Mocko Jumbies, the St. Peter’s Actor, the St. Peter’s Clowns and the St. Peter’s Stringband.

The young enthusiasts from this year’s camp now have artisan skills that can support the work of the cultural performers in their communities.  The return campers can add this to the skills that they would have previously acquired as cultural performers (dancers and actors/actresses) in their own right.

Director of Culture Pierre Liburd was happy with the execution of the camp and the participation of the campers.

“I was pleased to see the level of engagement and enthusiasm of the young practitioners as they immersed themselves in the crafting of the different cultural pieces,” Mr. Liburd said noting that the camp has achieved its objective.  “This is exactly why we do the camp so that they can be exposed to the knowledge, learn the skills and keep on going.  It was also good to see them leave the camp with the pieces that they made along with their certificates.   And we expect to see them proudly displayed in their homes, or see them wearing them at the Festivals or performances in their communities or see them eventually use their newly acquired skills as a means of income.”

The ICH Core Knowledge Transfer Camp concluded with an exhibition where parents, guardians and well-wishers were invited to see the cultural props and accessories that the campers had made.

A special thank you to our partners including the Ministry of Small Business Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and the Creative Economy; Assistant Secretary Karla Berridge and Khalid Lake of the same Ministry, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs specifically Dion Browne and Chantelle Chumney for assisting with games; the Ministry of Community Development; facilitators Elroy “Sports” Browne, Sylvester Huggins, Amahah Isaac, Samo Roberts, Aidan Hendrickson, Careem “Vorn” Bradshaw and Stanley Jeremiah Carey; our ICH Volunteers; and Retired Nurses Touching All Lives (RENTAL) who consistently assist with our First Aid needs.

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