10 schools parading in Junior Kadooment spectacle 

History and dancing, science and design, folktale and glitter.

These odd combinations will make for a spectacular show at the Sunshine Snacks Junior Kadooment’s kaleidoscope of colour and movement in various disciplines take place at National Botanical Gardens at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

For students of nine primary schools and one secondary school, the academic year may have ended, but learning certainly has not for the summer holiday. The primary schools are: Arthur Smith, George Lamming, Elliot Belgrave, Roland Edwards, Eagle Hall, Selah, Hindsbury, Ellerton and Wesley Hall. The secondary school is: Springer Memorial.

Participants in the Sunshine Snacks Junior Kadooment will unveil all they learnt after months of preparation through training and research facilitated by the National Cultural Foundation’s Universal Cereal SigniaGlobe Financial Junior Costume Programme. The Kiddies segment of the national parade will match the Grand Kadooment display of Barbadian history and cultural practices as the Crop Over Festival swings into full gear.

Since 2002, the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has endorsed the NCF programme which is geared towards attracting interest from schools in preserving the world-renowned festival and developing talents at all levels.

Chief Cultural Officer of the NCF Andrea Wells notes: “This is how you guarantee the continuance of strong traditions – by training and investing in the youth.”

The programme’s aim is to teach students, parents and teachers the elements of costume design and production by assigning a local designer to each registered school. From there, through the collaborative effort between the participants and the artisan cultural and historical themes are conceptualised and ultimately translated into a masquerade presentation.

Participants learn the techniques of wire-bending, colour coordination, dance, costume mechanics and a plethora of other skills necessary for masquerade. This year, these skills will be showcased through the themes of 160 years of the Barbados Landship, climate change, a rich cultural heritage and inclusion for all abilities. The programme also promotes employing local artisans and showcasing alternative careers to mainstream jobs.

“The kids who are jumping in the school bands aren’t just jumping and dancing and having fun. They have been through a process of growth and learning, so the performance is a culmination of the process.

“This growth and learning will enhance their skills going. They will learn about design, costume construction and visual arts skills. They will also learn about the history and culture of their country which would make them more well-rounded citizens. So, even if every child does not become a designer or artist, they have an appreciation for art, design, history and culture,” Wells stated.

This year, there is a record-high of 28 registered bands for the junior national parade, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Remarkably, this number signifies 100% participation from the eleven schools that joined the Universal Cereal SigniaGlobe Financial Junior Costume Programme, and this is also a first for the NCF.

Stacia Bryan, NCF Festival and Event Planner expresses that not only is this a success for the NCF, but it also aids in developing promising futures for the youth.

She stated: “What I like about the school’s programme is that we try to transfer skills. It gives you the opportunity to see where you can earn a living from your creative skill and talent… going into schools and having transferrable knowledge and showing them what it is that’s possible.”

Bryan also highlighted how the programme takes into account that the much-overlooked preparation that goes into the Crop Over festival.

“A lot of the times performing arts takes the precedent like singing and dance and theatre, but they don’t think about the intricacies a masquerade involves – sketching, colour coordinating… very creative in terms of design and use of material,” she explained.

Bryan encourages patrons to attend the event as it promises to showcase the work of some of the country’s best talent.

“We pulled a cadre of some of the best designers who were willing and able, in order to give the schools the best of the skillset available on the island.”

She thoroughly enjoyed the individual presentations put on by Eagle Hall Primary School and Springer Memorial School last year and is excited to see them perform at the national parade, noting that they should be fierce competition for top prizes such as Best School Band.

On June 10^th, Barbadians got a preview of what is to come during the launch of the Sunshine Snacks Kadooment Day. Schoolchildren paraded around the National Botanical Gardens displaying colourful costumes, with some performing a traditional Landship dance. There were live performances and food abiding in true Crop Over spirit.

The NCF’s goal is to see an expansion of the programme to all schools, including the Government 68 primary schools and 21 secondary schools. (PR)