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Dancing of the Flags & Cake 

Photo credit: by John James, 2022

A traditional wedding in Carriacou & Petite Martinique consists of dancing of the flags and cakes in a tradition known as the “Meeting up of the Cake”. This cultural performance handed down from the ancestors takes place before a wedding. It is a tradition which spread from Windward in Carriacou to the sister isle of Petite Martinique and to the Grenadine islands.

The bride’s family and that of the groom will decide on a neutral place where both sides will meet, accompanied by a string band, a flag, and a cake dancer to clash; usually, it is at a crossroads where a libation of rum and water will be made to the ancestors. The dancing of the flags is carried out before the display of the cakes. The flag dancers are mainly men, and the cake dancers are women. The flags and cakes of the groom must always be danced before that of the bride. Everyone dances to traditional, folk wedding songs.

People in Carriacou dancing

Photo credit: by John James, 2022

Lucy Deroche, 90, local historian, Ella Patrice, 82, cake dancer, Clint John, 47, flag dancer, Randolph H. Fleary, 67, string band musician, Neal Matheson, 48, string band musician, Gloria Roberts, cake dancer, Fedelin Bethel, 89, cake baker, and Dwight Logan, 51, local historian, are some of the well-known practitioners and culture bearers.

There are no specific costumes associated with this dance but many practitioners prefer to wear an African-like top or outfit.

Some of the threats posed to this tradition include Western influence via the advent of television and cell phones and the perceived attractiveness of foreign cultures over local traditions. In addition, the true meaning and history of the tradition is not taught in schools so all of these factors have resulted in waning interest in the dancing of the Flags and Cake. The cost is also a factor as a small private wedding can be cheaper than a traditional one. Another factor is that people are not getting married as much anymore.

One way to safeguard the tradition is to incorporate it in schools. Another suggestion made was that a Heritage Village could be built on Carriacou to showcase the flag and cake dancing as well as other traditions. Different villages in the tri-island state could also be invited to see performances and could perhaps take part in a Flag and Cake Dancing village competition. Public places like playing fields could be used teach the children about the island’s cultural traditions. Practitioners acknowledged that finding donors to support such programmes would be key to their success.

Special thanks to Gloria Roberts, Lucy Deroche, Fedeline Bethel, Dwight Logan, Niel Matherson, Ella Patrice, Clint John, Tyrone Bethel, Randolph Harrison Fleary, who were able to share with us this valuable and unique ritual.

Randolph Harrison Fleary/ICH Practitioner

Photo Credit: Proud of my Heritage - ICH-Zone/Team No.4 
Disclaimer:
“Grenada National Trust under the Proud of my Heritage project funded by UNESCO, does not assume any responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions and information in the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness as the content and audio-visual materials were compiled from interviews done to specifics ICH practitioners and bearers around Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique in 2022 who gave us their written consent during the pilot Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) inventorying exercises”
If you are an educational institution, organization and/or researcher who would like to receive more information about any specific ICH element’ material, please feel free to contact us at admin@grenadanationaltrust.org
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Shakespeare Mas

Shakespeare Mas

Photo credit: Grenada Tourism Authority

Shakespeare Mas is a unique Carnival masquerade to Carriacou, but derives from Grenada’s speech-mas tradition and stick fighting that illustrates Carriacou’s own history and culture in this Creole synthesis. The costume is a colourful shirt/tunic emblazoned with a black heart and mirrors over a white petticoat, face mask, long cape suspending from the head onto the back, and bullwhip. It takes to the streets of villages to the town Hillsborough each Carnival where players do mock battles in their recitation of verses from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, and if they should err, they are harassed about their padded crowns. Brave!  

Persons and groups in villages across the island participate in the ‘Shakespeare Mas’, but those of Mt. Royal, Six Road sand Mt. Pleasant are historically identified with the element, and today it is widely recognized that these villages remain as the main areas associated with the element. Special recognition to ICH/Shakespeare Mas group and practitioners in Carriacou as: 

“Hero” representing villages to the east, west and north of the island, which includes Mount Royal, Grand Bay, Windward, Top Hill, Bogles, Craigston, Dover, Petit Carenage, Belair, and Mount Pleasant.

“Freeport” representing central located villages, which include Mount Desire, Tiff, Six Roads, Brunswick, Prospect Hall, Hillsborough, and Beausejour.

“Banroy” representing villages to the south, which include Bellevue South, Belmont, Harvey Vale, and L’Esterre.

Jenny Duncan and Mary Noel, who have been training students at the Mt. Pleasant Government School since 2012.

Faithlyn George, one of the first women to play Shakespeare Mas’, has also been training students in her community of Harvey Vale since 2015.

Glenroy Boastwain, a current Shakespeare Mas’ King, is training children in the primary and secondary schools in Carriacou. 

George Andrew, a local businessman, and his family based in the diaspora, render support to defray the cost by providing materials for costumes.

Lydia Andrew, a seamstress which sews for free. 

The late Stephen Alexander, President of the Carriacou Historical Society and Museum, was a staunch supporter of the mas’ and its continuity. 

Shakespeare Mas

 

Photo credit: Grenada Tourism Authority

Due to the importance of this element among Carriacou communities and its unique characteristic and location, Grenada has proposed this element to be nominated and included at the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO). Courtesy by Grenada Tourism Authority.

 

Disclaimer:
“Grenada National Trust under the Proud of my Heritage project funded by UNESCO, does not assume any responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions and information in the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness as the content and audio-visual materials were compiled from interviews done to specifics ICH practitioners and bearers around Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique in 2022 who gave us their written consent during the pilot Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) inventorying exercises”
If you are an educational institution, organization and/or researcher who would like to receive more information about any specific ICH element’ material, please feel free to contact us at admin@grenadanationaltrust.org

 

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Sugaring the Piton 

Photo credit: Grenada National Trust

The Maroon is a Petite Martinique tradition held annually at different estates that involved villagers coming together to share food or harvest produce with each other and to offer some to the ancestors while thanking God for the bounty. At some Maroons, food was scattered on the sea for the souls of the African captives who had died on the Middle Passage. The people strongly believed that their ancestors ate and drank and partook of the feast just as the living did. Maroons included big drum dancing.

A related practice was called Sugaring the Piton which involved people journeying to the highest peak on the island, the Piton, with trays of food. At the summit, prayers were recited, and food was offered to the Petit Kengays (spirits of dead children). Rum, water, and food, including sugar, were scattered on the hills, giving the Deroche Maroon the name “Sugaring the Piton.” The Maroon would conclude with singing, dancing, and playing music at the estate owner’s home.

Lucy Deroche, 90, Dwight Logan, 51, Fedelin Bethel, 89, and Tyrone Bethel, 70, were some of those involved in the tradition.

A factor leading to the demise of the annual Maroons was the rising cost of the tradition as people stopped contributing to its success as they had in the early days. Attempts have been made to keep this tradition alive or to revive it but they have ultimately proven futile given financial restraints and migration. In addition, many of the elders who know about the practice have died.

Providing opportunities where elders can speak at schools and talk to the children about cultural practices could help revive interest as could making cultural education more accessible in schools. People, in general, should also be made more aware about the tradition and its purpose of honouring and remembering the ancestors.

 

Disclaimer:
“Grenada National Trust under the Proud of my Heritage project funded by UNESCO, does not assume any responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions and information in the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness as the content and audio-visual materials were compiled from interviews done to specifics ICH practitioners and bearers around Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique in 2022 who gave us their written consent during the pilot Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) inventorying exercises”
If you are an educational institution, organization and/or researcher who would like to receive more information about any specific ICH element’ material, please feel free to contact us at admin@grenadanationaltrust.org
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