Easter Update Carib Canoe Trial-Run Triumph / Carib Warriors Easter Training
Ioumoulicou Carib Canoe Crossing Project
by J.Grimner
On Friday May 2nd 2008, the IOUMOULICO CARIB CANOE CROSSING project launched by the KARISKO Association in Martinique aims to recreate the very first arrival of the Kalinago People to the shores of Dominica. The re-enactment of the voyage on the May Day holiday weekend will commemorate how the Kalinago People, fierce pre-Columbian warrior tribes, paddled their huge 25-man war canoes up the Caribbean chain of islands from South America to colonize each of the islands in the chain. Dominica, the last of the Caribbean islands to harbor a pure indigenous Kalinago population of Carib Indians, has been chosen by KARISKO as the first island targeted in this project to man two authentic Carib War Canoes with 25 trained rowers who will paddle for an estimated 10 hours through the rough seas between Martinique and Dominica to finally arrive at a grand victory celebration in Scotts Head on Friday 2 May 2008.
Dominica's indigenous Kalinago Carib Tribe has been invited by KARISKO to send a contingent of their 15 strongest canoe experts to help man the two 25-man KARISKO Canoes and successfully complete this historical crossing. The "CARIB CANOE WARRIORS", as they call themselves, have been training every week in the heavy seas between Marigot and Atkinson in a smaller, riskier 8-man Carib canoe built by master canoe builder Emmanuel "Napoleon" Sanford.
Friday May 2: Imagine the sight of two huge Carib War Canoes slicing through the waves from Martinique to the south, coming around Scotts Head Point, each canoe powered by the muscular arms of 25 modern-day Canoe Warriors! Crowds of cheering French and English West Indians will greet them as they pull their salt-sprayed authentic canoes onto the Scotts Head shore after their 10-hour rowing journey. Our own Dominican Carib Canoe Warriors will be part of that historic crew.
Be part of welcoming team, and celebrate the warrior's successful return in an old-school Kone Konla Welcome Feast on Friday 2 May 2008in Scotts Head/Soufriere. On Saturday morning, join the festivities again with watersports and fun in the sun with our friends from Martinique. Try your hand at paddling these bold canoes in the waters of the bay or take part in our own canoe races! Dr. Lennox Honychurch and 2 leading History professors from the French University in Martinique (Universite Antilles-Guyane), Thierry L'Etang and Benoit Berard, will explain the historical context this amazing project to recreate the first arrival of the Kalinago People to the lush shores of Dominica.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE! Bring your family and friends to be a part of the historical arrival of the Ioumoulicou Carib Canoes to the shores of our beautiful Dominica, May Day Weekend 2008.
BOATERS AND SAILORS are invited to come join the flotilla which will accompany the two canoes from Friday morning to Friday afternoon from Grande Riviere in Martinique to Scott's Head in Dominica.
CRUISE TOURS: The general public of both Martinique and Dominica is invited to board one of Dominica's commercial cruise boats to meet the contingent half-way. Tours will be offered by several local boat tour operations.
For more information contact: SHAPE in Dominica 767-448-3430 http://www.dominicaheritage.org
French Websites
KARISKO in Martinique Tel : 0696 07 26 07 / 0696 30 56 12 http://www.karisko.org
http://ioumoulicou.wordpress.com/
www.kariskokanawa.com
Our Partners in Dominica:
Alliance Francaise de la Dominique 767-448-4557 "Apprenez le francais"
Courts Dominica 767-448-7655 www.courts.co.dm "Adding value EVERY day"
Dominica Marine Center 767-448-2705 www.dominicamarinecenter.com "All your Marine needs"
Wacky Rollers 767-440-4386 www.wackyrollers.com "Come feel the force of Nature"
Whitchurch 767-448-2181 www.whitchurch.com
Photos of the Carib Canoe Warrior training sessions can be seen on the web at the following link: http://picasaweb.google.com/mixx777/CaribCanoeWarriors
KARISKO is a group of athletes, sailors, History professors, students and the general public in Martinique.
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