ASKaND Sentinel September 2023 - Vol 3 #01

HAPPY 40th SKN INDEPENDENCE!

DearMembers,

Asthe40thanniversary ofSt.KittsandNevis' independence approachesin2023,a senseof,prideand excitementisbubbling intheheartsofthe KittitianandNevisian diaspora,in Birmingham.Forus,the journeyofour‘homeland’truly resonates.

Thetheme“GrowingSustainably, DevelopingMaturely,Building Resiliency:Independence40”,as revealedbyPrimeMinisterDrTerrance Drew,capturesnotjusttheprogressof St.KittsandNevisbutalsoreflectsour collectivehopesinthediaspora communitytoo.

Thismilestoneanniversaryismorethan justacelebrationofindependence.Itis acalltoaction;areminderofourrolein upholdingourrich,culturalheritageand supportingourcommunalgrowth.

Itisevidentthateventhoughweare milesaway,wedescendantskeepthe pulseofSt.KittsandNevisbeating stronglywithinus.Wetrytostayabreast ofthehappeningsintheislandsandwe takeprideinhowtheFederationhas matured,developed,andaddressits challenges.Weacknowledgethe persistenttiestotheislands,aswe begintounderstandtherolethatweas

descendantscanplay,aspartofa globalSt.KittsandNeviscommunity. Perhapsmostimportantly,this anniversaryisachancetoreflectonour sharedhistory.Itisanopportunityto considerthechallengesthatlieahead forSt.KittsandNevis,andhowwecan contributetowardsaresilientfuture.To embracethethememeanscontinuingto organisecommunitygatheringswhere wecancontinuetoshare experiencesfromhome,raiseawareness aboutthechallengesfacedbySt.Kitts andNevis,andproposeinitiativesthat wecancollectivelyundertaketoassistin makingachange.Thisnotonlyfortifies oursenseofcommunityinBirmingham, butalsostrengthenstiestoSt.Kittsand Nevis.

Thisisatimefordeepreflectionand renewedcommitmentasweevolveand movetowardsasharedpurposeof buildingasustained,mature,and resilientcommunitybothinBirmingham,

andinsolidaritywithSt.Kitts andNevis.

"WeareinspiredbyStKittsand Nevis’progressoverthepast40 yearsandwetakeonthe responsibilitytoupholdour culture,andsupportour community,ineveryway possible.”JacquiDaniels(ASKaND Chair).

Asthe40thIndependence AnniversaryofSt.Kittsand Nevisdrawscloser,ourdiaspora communityintheUKisallsetto celebrate.However,itisnotjustan occasiontocelebrate;itisalsoa momentofacknowledgmentofthe journeysofar.Itisamomenttotake prideinthebeautifullandthatthe Federationhasevolvedinto,while reinforcingoursupporttoaddressthe challengesthatlieahead.TheStKitts& Nevisdescendantcommunityin Birminghamisallsettocommemorate thisoccasionbyembracingthespiritof thetheme.Tostrengthenour commitmenttotheislandsandtoour communityinBirmingham.Indoingso, wecancontributeandcontinuethe legacyofourislandnation;embodying thespiritof:strength, resilience,and unwaveringunity.

JacquiDaniels ASKaNDChair

ASKaND 1st Anniversary Gala

Celebrating St Kitts & Nevis in Birmingham

parents and grandparents. This chucklesome linguistic tour allowed attendees to appreciate the underlying comedy in everyday expressions.

Next, ‘Tone with Mone’, the brainchild of Simone Waldron, fused Soca/calypso vibes with salsa and Latin rhythms; conjuring a contagious Soca/Zumba flashmob to enthral every age group.

The 2023 St Kitts & Nevis Heritage Day in Birmingham, masterminded by the Association of St Kitts & Nevis Descendants (ASKaND), unfolded into a spectacular showcase of activities, celebrating our island Federation’s rich, cultural legacy. Held on 20th August, the Heritage Day beautifully achieved its objective of immersing descendants in their unique heritage and culture; as the day overflowed with learning, connection, and celebration.

Highlights included an emotive live theatre production entitled, “Untold Stories of the Windrush Generation.” Consisting of five poignant monologues delivering stirring tales of individuals who have left lasting impacts on Birmingham, UK. Kalaya Productions, in partnership with ASKaND, brought these raw, authentic narratives to life. Honouring and celebrating those brave individuals by documenting their resilience, courage, and undeniable contributions to British society.

Throughout the day there were a host of DJs and live musicians collaborating to deliver an unforgettable set. The stage was set on fire by headlining DJs including: Commissioner Benji, Fishead, God Farda, Jus-Us, KMD, and Specialist Touch. The day also featured live performances from: Ras Ishu, Mykal Somer, CreezOn, and Sekou, all captivating the audience with their music and charisma.

ASKaND's mantra"To Plan, Provide, Innovate, and Protect" - resonated beautifully throughout the day, as they dedicate themselves to protecting its St Kitts & Nevis heritage and culture. Therefore, the Heritage Day has served as a proud milestone in ASKaND's journey to bringing about a new cultural renaissance.

The Caribbean Family History Group, intertwined online information mining with tracing their St Kitts & Nevis ancestry. While, participants at the Caribbean Regals Steel Band's taster workshop, played beautiful tunes on steelpans after learning a few simple notes.

Bringing a burst of cultural flavour, Natty Mark's imaginative 'Jumbie Corner' folklore and storytelling workshop ignited communal enthusiasm. A dose of humour could then be found in the St Kitts-Nevis language session; decoding the phrases used by

Links:

Facebook: SKN Heritage Day Opening Address by Rev. Eve Pitt: https://www.facebook.com/ reel/260113296961207

YouTube: ASKaND Heritage Day - Birmingham 2023 https:// youtu.be/rUFD_zbG2wc?si=yw1Ao-nXDSoyk-v9

St Kitts & Nevis Heritage Day 2023

ASKaND 1st ANNIVERSARY GALA

SKN 40th INDEPENDENCE

GET ON OUR SOCIALS!

In addition to our Socials, we now have our web address! It is still very much a work in progress and Peter, our Communications Officer, will be asking for your input on what you would like to access on our website.

But in the meantime, please don’t forget our Socials which are having more and more people wanting to connect to us every week. So please find us at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askandbrum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askandbrum/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/askandbrum

Also, don’t forget our Linktree link. There you will find a some interesting ’extras’! Find us at: https://linktr.ee/askandbrum

ASKaND Membership 2023 Renewals

Ithasbeena fullcalendar yearsinceour launch meetingin September 2022,where wesecured ourfirst10members.Sincethattime,wehavesteadily grown,withourmembershipnowbeinginexcessof 80members.

Morethananythingelse,wewouldliketowholeheartedlythankyouforyourongoingsupportof ASKaNDandallofitsactivities.Withoutyourloyalty andcommitment,wewouldnotbeabletoprovide opportunitiestoactivelypromoteourheritageand communitydevelopment.Simplyput,youmakewhat wedopossible!

Yourmembershiphasenabledustoaccomplishso manyinitiativesfromourveryfirstevent,inOctober

Upcoming Members Meetings

ASKaND Members meetings will be held at the BCA, Jenkins Street, Birmingham, B10 0PQ at 1900hrs.

2022,(whichwasourveryfirstHeritageDay);tothe mostrecentStKittsNevisHeritageDayinAugust 2023.Webelieveyouhavemanyreasonstobeproud ofwhatyourmembershiphascontributedtowards. Withthatinview,wesincerelyhopethatyouhave beenabletopersonallybenefitfromyourinvolvement withASKaND,andtrustthatyouarehappytorenew withus,atthesamerateof£15,in2023/24.

Wearepleasedtosayyouwillbeabletorenewonline atwww.askand.org,whereyouwillbeabletomakethe paymentthereandthen.However,wearestill happytotakecashpaymentsatournextmeeting(s).In continuingwithus,wewillhavediscountsontrips/ events,aswellascomingsoon,in2024,anewSKN merchandisecatalogue.Thiswillbeavailableviaour ASKaND’swebsite,andmemberswillreceivea10% discountonallproducts.

EarlyrenewalofyourASKaNDmembershipwillhelpus planfornextyear’sprogrammeofevents.Wehumbly thankyouinanticipationofyourcontinuedsupport.

Friday 6th October 2023

Friday 3rd November 2023

Friday 3rd December 2023

“JUMBIE CORNER”

Play Fife for Ancestor

I respect the heritage, but I want to play fife for ancestor. I know the string band is traditionally an all-male unit, but since I first heard fife in my village, time of initial enchantment, I've wanted to play it. Haven't told my brothers of my yearning, as I can imagine becoming the recipient of a moniker or two, from a naming ceremony I won't be invited to, such as ''Imposter,'' or ''Stringy,'' especially as I'm thin! Anyway, I wouldn't let them dampen my aspirations, partly because of ancestor. You see, due to my interest in our country's folklore, I found out that the first person to play pan here, in the early fifties, was Roy Martin, known as ''Baby Rat.'' But I've been trying to find out the first documented name of a fife player. I've contacted the Museum of Nevis History, National Museum of St. Kitts, SKN News, SKN Observer, Sentinel, the historian Leonard Stapleton and so on, as I endeavour to find the name of the Original Flute Man: it's him I want to play for.

I'm going to go to a grove one day soon; give thanks to the Spirit of Bamboo, for allowing me to cut a piece there, then make a fife, dedicating the first notes to our first flautist. Don't think I'll get the chance to lead guitars and banjo, so I'll go into the forest, sit by a stream, jamming with hummingbirds and finches. Still, I follow all the great bands, like the Honeybees and Sugar Hill.

I was laughing to myself the other day! If Roy Martin was known as ''Baby Rat,'' due to my small size, I'll take the name ''Girly Sprat!''

Don't want to play guiro, tambourine, triangle or shak shak. Yes, I honour our traditions, but wish there wasn't this gender constraint, as I want to play fife for ancestor.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

The ASKaND Exec Team would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support our members have given to make the St Kitts-Nevis Heritage Day on August 20, 2023, a resounding success. It was impressive to see our collective efforts shaping such vibrant and memorable celebrations of our rich St Kitts-Nevis heritage.

The dedication shown, which is clearly rooted in genuine love for our heritage, and the time members have voluntarily invested in the meticulous planning, organisation, and delivery of this event, contributed to its execution on the day. The triumph of this occasion speak volumes about our lasting traditions, along with members’ tireless work and passionate support.

To all our volunteer ‘heroes’, we extend a special note of thanks. It was through your, grit and determination, that we were able to bring our shared vision to life. The sweat, newly formed grey hairs, and countless hours we all put in behind-the-scenes, did not go unnoticed.

It is individuals like you who give life to such occasions, making it possible for everyone to enjoy a day rooted in our shared heritage.

Once again, thank you, ASKaND members, for your unwavering commitment and dedication. Your contribution has set an impressive precedent and we are proud to be part of an Association that is working, not only for the benefit of the present community, but also to ensure the preservation of our cherished heritage for the future generations.

As we bask in the glow of this year’s celebration, we anticipate even greater prospects, opportunities, contributions, and shared success in the coming years. Together let’s keep the spirit of our cultural preservation soaring high and here is to many more Heritage Days to come!

©Natty Mark Samuels, 2023. African School. Rootical Folklore

St Kitts-Nevis High Commission Congratulates ASKaND!

Below is a letter sent by the St Kitts-Nevis High Commission commending ASkaND on its 2023 Heritage Day.