Prospect Primary students get taste of Cayman culture
(L-R) Levi Rankine and Lauren Duty learn how to make fritters
(CNS): Primary school children across Grand Cayman have been enjoying some traditional fun and games thanks to Cayman Traditional Arts’ (CTA) roving group of dedicated instructors who have been travelling across the island sharing their knowledge with Cayman’s young people. The half-day camps, which will reach out to around 400 students in total, are government-sponsored through the Heritage Arts Programme.
Just before the long Easter weekend, students at Prospect Primary School participated in one such camp, which focused on traditional activities. Phil Sciamonte taught students the art of archery, while Blonde Uzzle had the youngsters create and fly homemade kites.
Students also got to make local delicacies fritters and coconut drops, and had their faces painted as a special treat. They also participated in a tug-of-war using silver thatch rope, skipped rope, and competed in egg-and-spoon and potato-sack races.
One project that was a particular success was the construction of a calavan, traditionally used in the Cayman Islands to catch small birds.
CTA director, Chris Christian, said the aim of the camps was to help immerse young people in some of Cayman’s important cultural elements that may otherwise go forgotten.
“At Cayman Traditional Arts we believe it’s essential that we pass down time-honoured traditions to our young people to ensure that our past is not forgotten,” Christian said. “It’s too easy these days to become wrapped up in other cultures so we are doing our very best to keep Cayman’s culture alive. This can be done simply by teaching young people how to cook traditional favourites such as fritters and coconut drops, or how to construct and fly their own kite.
“But while these are relatively simple steps to take, it requires a consistent approach to ensure the message gets across to all our young people. That is why we all work so hard doing what we do, because we passionately believe in retaining Cayman’s cultural identity for the generations to come.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for District Administration, Tourism and Transport, Moses Kirkconnell, said that his ministry was proud to partner with CTA on the initiative which involves “our youth in preserving our unique and time-honoured Cayman Islands culture and heritage”.
CTA will be taking its mobile camps to schools in North Side, East End and West Bay in the coming weeks.
Category: Culture, Primary School
