July 9, 2009

THANKSGIVING AND CEREMONIAL DELIVERY OF LAST CANES.

Crop Over 2009 began as a ceremony of pomp and ceremony !

Retaining all the elements of colour and spectacle Barbados Crop Over, though beginning with a difference as compared to previous years, brought out crowds of curious people. In a departure from the traditional opening, this year the National Cultural Foundation and sponsors, The Barbados National Bank presented an amalgamated presentation to set the 2009 Festival on its way officially.

Until this year the Crop Over calendar showed as separate events The Thanksgiving Service and The Barbados National Bank Crop Over Opening Gala. On Sunday June 28 the two were combined beginning with a parade of cultural groups, moko jumbies, Spiritual Baptists members and enthusiastic children travelling the route from Queen’s Park to Independence Square . In the Square the Royal Barbados Police Band entertained the large crowd until the cultural presentations began.

The performances of Sankofa Productions dancers, Pinelands Creative Workshop, Israel Lovell Foundation and Dancing Africa captured the audience’s attention before giving way to the melodious singing of The Pride of Wilson Hill and Sing Out Barbados Chorale groups. Griot Adrian Greene chipped in and the Son’s of God Apostolic Church characterized the evening with their bouncing and riveting praises. All this before nightfall and as the daylight gave way to the evening shadows the transformation of Independence Square from a wide open area of concrete on which the stripped tents and carpeted stages had been laid out was further enhanced by the array of lights and flags.

In true Bajan fashion the presence of the Father was brought to bear on the proceedings as Canon Noel Burke and the combined choir rendered hymns and prayers in thanks of another crop season.