After-school programme brings Heritage to Life

Teachers, students, members of the United Democratic Party and participants in the Bringing Heritage to Life after- school programme filled out the Sir John A Cumber Hall on 5 September to officially launch the initiative. 

Children all around the Cayman Islands will be exposed to Cayman’s heritage and culture in efforts to increase their national identity and pride as part of what Premier McKeeva Bush said is an integral component in reaching our young people. 

Mr. Bush told those gathered the reasons he considered the programme to be timely, as well as extremely important to national pride for the youth of the Cayman Islands. He also told the audience where the resources for the undertaking had come from. 

“I need you to know that funding for this comes from the national building fund. These are the kind of programmes that fund is assisting,” he said. 

“We cannot do nation building unless we build long-lasting institutions and programmes that give our young people positive impressions and thought processes,” the Premier said. 

Cultural education  

Bringing Heritage to Life will be led by Chris Christian of Cayman Traditional Arts, whose job will be to make sure children from West Bay to East End and Cayman Brac will be able to participate in the cultural education programme. 

Mr. Christian is a local artist who has dedicated his life to the preservation of Caymanian heritage. For the past seven years he has taught both residents and tourists about Cayman’s past through culture and tradition. 

Some of the things the children will be learning are spinning thatch rope, preparing specialty dishes such as fried fish and fritters and marinated conch and other unique aspects of Caymanian traditions.  

Mr. Christian and his team showcased local culture during the opening event, with children taking part in tasting local peppermint, making spinning gigs, blowing conch horns and other activities.  

Other instructors and artisans will be enlisted by Mr. Christian to assist in handing down some of the Caymanian practices deemed essential to life in yesteryear. Some of those practices are considered just as useful today 

“If we are going to teach our children about the River Thames and the Empire State Building and not about our humble beginning, or our institutions such as the churches, then where does that leave us?” said the Premier, who joked that he guessed some would say he is living in the past but it was alright, as it was important for young Caymanians to see where they came from. 

The Premier also showcased his skill while participating in the rope-making demonstration, which he said, “brought back memories from my childhood.” 

Sanctioned by the Education Department, Bringing Heritage to Life is being offered to Years Five and Six students in government schools throughout the Cayman Islands.