The Kalinago Tribe: Where It All Began

One of our excursions included a trip to the Carib Territory, where the native peoples of Dominica, named the Kalinagos, reside. Located in the northeastern part of Dominica, the reservation includes about 3000 people. These native people traditionally used to save body parts of the deceased and hang them in their homes for good luck, good spirits, and strength. When Christopher Columbus first arrived on the island, he noticed this and thought that the Kalinagos were cannibals, therefore calling them ‘Caribs’. They consider this to be a negative connotation though, and prefer to be referred to as Kalinago.

The Kalinagos are well known in Dominica for their handmade crafts, such as basket weaving and calabash plant decorations. As I walked into their little, single room stores, I was amazed when I saw the various products that the native women intricately made with their bare hands. I stared in awe at the woven baskets, jewelry made from fruit seeds, and detailed calabash carvings. These humble women were nothing but welcoming, and I was nothing short of fascinated.

The Kalinagos believe to be in a reconstruction stage now, where they are trying to bring back their indigenous culture in terms of language, certain traditions and celebrations, and spirituality. They highly recognize boa constrictors as spiritual animals for their vitality. They even believe that a giant boa constrictor came out of the sea and created the island of Dominica. The natives are truly in touch with and respect animals and the environment, which gives me great gratification and appreciation of the Kalinago tribe.