Passing It On To Another One

A Documentary Celebrating Virgin Islands Culture & Heritage

Virgin Islands National Park’s Annual Folk Life Festival celebrates and promotes the rich culture of the Virgin Islands.  To mark the 30th year of the annual festival, in partnership with Virgin Islands National Park Service (VINP),  Friends of Virgin Islands National Park produced a mini-documentary in 2021 as a timeless interpretation of the festival.

Passing It On To Another One weaves together inspirational tales told by culture bearers who have participated in the festival through the years in colorful interviews and demonstrations of their expertise in the cultural arts, music and crafts of the Virgin Islands. From learning about the history of the Mocko Jumbie from Mr. Allan “Yisreal” Peterson to the ways in which Ms. Shandis B. Davis’ family Maubi recipe gets passed along, you will be intrigued and inspired!

Special thanks to the culture bearers, performers and artisans who participated in the making of the film – and for their dedication to keep Virgin Islands culture alive for generations to come! Additional gratitude to Aariyah Athanase, Friends' AmeriCorps Steward, VINP Ranger Golda Hermon, VINP biotech Keryl Liburd (Aperture VI), and videographer Bill Stelzer for producing the film. The film would not have been made possible without the support of our sponsors WTJX/NPR, the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts.

Watch the entire documentary or dip into the wonderful segments featuring our Virgin Islands' culture bearers!

 

Woman dancing in white dress celebrating culture

Passing It On To Another One Documentary

(56:48 min)

Performer in gold sequined costume and striped mask

Moko Jumbie Dancing with Yisreal "Allen" Petersen

(3:26 min)

Man gesturing while seated on stone bench

Tigg and Zair: A Storytelling by Bliss Bully

(6:26 min)

Person twirling white skirt against blue sky

Bamboula Dancing with Dr. Chenzira Davis-Kahina and Allegra Christopher

(4:29 min)

Storytelling

Bru' Nansi and Bru' Goat a Storytelling by Glenn "Kwabena" Davis

(11:10 min)

Hands holding fresh curly parsley among vegetables

Local Herbs and Plants With Loreli Hedrington

(5:33 min)

Hands shaping wooden bowl on lathe

Woodturning With Avelino Samuel

(2:49 min)

Canvas tote reading "Keeper of the Bees

Bee Keeping and Honey Making with Elmo Rabsatt

(2:55 min)

Rusty hand-crank metal flywheel on machine

Making Cane Juice with Raymond Todman

(2:14 min)

Man holding sugarcane stalk in lush field

Gardening with Charles Jackson

(5:00 min)

Hands stirring bucket with wooden stick

Maubi Making with Shandis Davis

(3:34 min)

Old Tools and Artifacts with Henry Powell and Geneva Paris

(2:49 min)