NCF Serving Up New Series On Local Plants

The National Cultural Foundation will debut its latest cultural heritage offering on Monday, February 15, 2021. Bush Tea: Herbs, Plants and Barbadian Botanical Stories is a five-part video series taking viewers on a journey of discovery into the benefits, traditional uses and even folklore of local herbs, plants and grasses and will broadcast initially on NCF social media platforms. 

The series captures the essential value and use of traditional Barbadian flora in the areas of food, health and wellness, rituals and religion.

Viewers will benefit from the expert knowledge and experiences of a varied range of professionals and practitioners, including  Plant Biologist and Lecturer at UWI Professor Dr. Sean Carrington; Pharmacologist and Senior Lecturer at UWI Dr. Damian Cohall; Organic Chemist and Ethnobotanist Dr. Sonia Peter; Biotechnologist Dr. Anthony Richards; cultural activists and herbalists Ireka Jelani, Ras Isles and Holly Bynoe as well as natural health entrepreneurs Everton ‘Heru’ Holligan and Jacqueline Cumberbatch.

The series was conceptualised by NCF Chief Executive Officer Carol Roberts-Reifer, produced by Senior Business Development Officer, André Hoyte and directed by Research Officer, Michelle Springer. The series is hosted by Ayesha Gibson – Gill, former Literary Arts Officer at the Foundation.

The episodes are shot at multiple locations across the island including: Ngozi Farm and Cultural Centre, Turners Hall, St. Andrew; the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus; the Sage Garden, Turners Hall; Welchman Hall Gully, St. Thomas and the Cheapside Market in Bridgetown. The episodes will air on NCF social media channels from February 15 to 26th.