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by pltm
(PLTM) - A bit of fear seems to be lingering across the Virgin Islands, when it comes to the cultural and traditional aspects of the emancipation celebration, and their survival.
The older BVIslanders are concerned that the younger generation is taken up by the entertainment aspect of the festivity, and other aspects that are heavily influenced by what’s happening throughout the region, rather than what is tradition, and what speaks to the true meaning of the Territory being emancipated.
Director of the Department of Culture, Mrs. Luce Hodge-Smith, in speaking with BVI Platinum News, stated that there is a fear that the Territory will eventually lose the cultural substance of why it is celebrating and actually hosting an Emancipation Festival.
She noted that this fade will be as a consequence of the younger generation---the future of the Territory---not being properly guided or educated about local traditions and culture, as well as the many distractions surrounding them.
“They lack guidance. They tend to do things on their own and they try to emulate what they see on the outside.”
Mrs. Hodge-Smith stated that the onus is on the older generations to guide and continue to educate the younger ones on the importance of such a celebration.
“We have to get them to grasp why we are celebrating and not that we are just out there jumping up," the Director said.
She added, “There is that fear, because if we lose our young people, who are the next generation, then we lose our culture.”
The fact that the dynamics of the generations are quite different, contributes to the change in what is actually important, highlighted Mrs. Hodge-Smith.
“I don’t think that young people don’t care. It’s just that there are a lot of distractions that keep them away from the Virgin Islands culture. There’s a lot of the internet and they have access to a lot more, whereas years ago, all these didn’t exist; in my day, we didn’t have the internet.”
She stated that it is important for parents to introduce their children to the local culture, and to ensure that they are involved and aware.
“As a child, I participated in festival, and my children participated in festival, because I saw the importance of getting them involved. Therefore, as parents, we have to find a way to involve our children. If the young people are not guided, it’s not that they don’t care, but guidance and great influence is lacking.”
She said, “We’ve had young people who are interested in having cultural activities and more, but to get the support of the community, there is where it fails. They are out there, they want to help, but the support from other young people and the community in general is not there.”
She noted that the department will continue to do what they can, individually, and as a member of the executive committee of festival, to keep the cultural and traditional aspects of the Emancipation Festival alive, despite the challenges being faced.
“The department serves on the festival committee. We can do more, but due to the resources that we have, it’s a strain; little finances and little staff.”
She said, “It takes more effort, but we are doing what we can with the resources we have. We recognize the importance and that we need to be more hands on, and physically passing on the traditions in a way in which we can maintain the festival cultural aspect. I’m not saying it is not being done, but more can be done if we had more financial resources and man power.”
