The Karifuna Cultural Group

 The Karifuna Cultural Group stages pulsating cultural performances in and out of the Kalinago Territory, representing their people.

History

The Karifuna Cultural Group started in 1979 with the objective of reviving and maintaining the remaining aspects of the Kalinago culture.

 Over the years, the group has placed the Kalinago culture it's in rightful place within the context of Dominican culture.
Employing popular theater techniques, the group has attempted to educate the residents of the Kalinago Territory. They focus their attention on the many issues and challenges in their lives and help to find solutions to these challenges.

Achievements

Over two hundred young persons have been in the group. There have been engaged in researching, documenting, and presenting the Kalinago culture beyond the parameters of the Kalinago community.

Group members have served and continue to serve the community in various capacities. They have served as Carib Chiefs, members of the Carib Council, Teachers, Doctors, Sports Officers, Priests, District Development officers, Health and other social workers and church leaders. The group has also nurtured and assisted the development of other cultural groups in the Carib Territory.

Karifuna has traveled widely through the world. They have presented the Kalinago culture to the wider world in forms of dance, music stories and many more. Their travels have brought them through the entire Caribbean region, to Europe, North and South America. They have made contacts and have actively established and fostered relationships with other indigenous groups and organizations world wide.
 

In 1981, Karifuna received the E.O. Leblanc Award for the best cultural group in the island. They have been awarded on many other occasions, for their work in the development and promotion of Kalinago and Dominican Culture. The group has assisted immensely in the island's tourism thrust and is in constant demand by visitors to the island.

Location

The group operates out of the Platform in Crayfish River.Their hope is to construct a Cultural Center for the Carib Territory. This will enable the group and other groups with a well organized place for cultural performances, shows and large gatherings. The center would also be used to generate economic activities, creating employment for its members and other persons in the Carib Territory.