About Wai'tu kubuli/Dominica
Few places on earth emanate lush beauty like Dominica, located in the Eastern Caribbean; the island embraces a sense of serene, ageless beauty. It's a place where people and nature live in harmony, above and below the surrounding sea. It's dotted with small coastal towns, the rugged mountains of the interior, and the generosity of the people. It's blessed with fertile soil and abundant seas, which has allowed Dominica's inhabitants to live largely self-sufficiently. Wai'tu kubuli is the name of Dominica pre-Columbus. It means, "tall is her body" referring to its largely mountainous shape. Wai'tu kubuli is approximately 290 square miles, with about 71,000 residents and is largely covered by rainforest. It is also home to the largest boiling lake in the world which is inside of Morne Trois Pitons National Park- Dominica's World Heritage site. Dominica has many, many waterfalls, springs and rivers... locals state that Dominica has 365 river... one for each day of the year.
Dominica's original residents, the Kalinago people, own a 3,700 acre reserve which stretches for nine miles on the north-east coast of Dominica. Overlooking the raging Atlantic Ocean, the Kalinago community is the only district where it is not possible to own or buy land. Identified by many as the 'Carib Territory' or 'Carib Reserve', we respectfully refer to our colleagues, friends and family by their indigenous name, 'Kalinago' and not the name bestowed to them by their colonizers. The Kalinago land is, in fact, owned by the Carib Council, thus ensuring an element of independence for Dominica's native people. This is where you will call home.
The Kalinago community is made up of eight hamlets, with Bataca being the largest and Salybia being its center. Salybia hosts its postal office, the police station, the library and the Council Office. Salybia is also home to the Kalinago Barana Auté, which translates to "Carib Cultural Village by the Sea". The Model Village honors the diversity, history and heritage of the Kalinago people by presenting their customs and cultural traditions and by providing an opportunity for visitors to experience, learn about and appreciate their way of life. It features the indigenous Karbet (the home of the Kalinago Chief and his wives), the Mwina (the native home of a Kalinago), the Ajoupa (the area where indigenous Kalinagos cooked) and displays the canoe in which the Kalinagos migrated to the islands.
The site also has a river leading to a waterfall with the Atlantic Ocean on its border. There are demonstrations by the Kalinagos on a daily basis, including theatrical performances and canoe building that would allow visitors to see the lifestyle of the first settlers in the region.
With tourism becoming increasingly important in Dominica, the Kalinago community has become a major draw for visitors. The Kalinago community boasts in excess of 16 craft shops which produce high-quality straw hats, baskets and other handicrafts. However, the production of bananas is still the main source of income. Coconuts, copra, soya beans, ginger, tropical fruit and various root vegetables are also grown in high numbers. The re-introduction of farine and cassava, which come from manioc and was once the staple diet of the Kalinagos, are also making a welcome return. Some Kalinagos still make their living from the sea, but tackling the large Atlantic breakers is a highly dangerous business. |
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