Elvis Davis carving a piece from mahogany.
Patrons of the Rock Hall Living Museum were reintroduced to the game of Warri.
THE Rock Hall project as a Living Museum was officially launched as a CARIFESTA XIII event, but Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley has given the assurance that it will remain a permanent fixture in the community.
Speaking during the official launch on Sunday afternoon, the Minister noted that the project speaks to the tangible and intangible heritage that is the foundation of the Rock Hall Freedom Village and will have benefits for locals, visitors and residents.
“There are plans on stream to resuscitate the area and you will be hearing much more about this in the near future.”
He said the community programme is intended to be one of the legacies of CARIFESTA XIII.
He revealed that in carrying out the idea of a Living Museum, a community-oriented approach was implemented that placed the residents at the heart of the planning process.
“The residents have taken on board the ideas for this site to be transformed into a venue for future activities and as a viable community tourism project. As I understand it, the area is visited daily by tourists and we will be working with our partners at the Barbados Tourism Product Authority and residents to map out a programme that would allow this Living Museum to become a sustainable community tourism project.
“More importantly, one that is managed by the residents. Projects such as this could very well serve as a plank to diversify our tourism industry. We have not yet begun to tap into the tangible benefits to be derived from community tourism and heritage tourism. This is a vast untapped market, especially amongst the African Diaspora who are interested in matters relating to slavery and Emancipation,” he said.
The Minister explained that the Rock Hall Freedom Village has a special place in the hearts of working class Barbadians, particularly those of African descent.
“It is a story of economic and political enfranchisement by a group of labourers – former slaves from Mount Wilton Plantation, who at a time when only the plantocracy could own land, dared to break through that barrier.
“Their story of empowerment resonates with us even today as the Ministry seeks to encourage young people in particular to discover, embrace and celebrate their unique heritage and to use it as the basis for the provision of goods and services in a sustainable manner.”
To this end, he stated that the Rock Hall Living Museum not only celebrates the achievements of the Village, but those of the early settlers who laid the foundation for the village to be free. “This event is unique in nature as it seeks not only to celebrate, but to educate and reaffirm our belief in our cultural heritage. The Ministry, along with the Barbados World Heritage Committee, will remain at the forefront of educating communities about the importance of this,” he said. (JH)