#BTColumn- Dance my Republic

The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

By Julian Rogers 

The Caribbean is known worldwide for excellence in so many fields, and for many years, we were proud to be among the world’s most incredible dancers.

Whether you were the famous Rogers of British Guiana who took their dance steps to St Lucia or the migration of the bele up and down the French West Indies, dance was among the best. And let’s not forget the pinnacle of dance from Rex Nettleford and his world-renowned Jamaica National Dance Theatre Company.

Unfortunately, these days we have been reduced to admiring a few performances here and there as COVID-19 reduced the dance seasons.

One bright spark of renewal emerged a few nights ago when Barbados danced out of the embrace of the Queen into Republican arms, led to the dance floor by a new queen, Queen Riri; long may she reign.

The admiring worldwide audience marvelled at the quicksteps the Barbados dancers executed with a deftness born of years of practice. Even the Queen’s true representative, Charles, was so moved that he regretted not giving Barbados the freedom to dance so many centuries ago.

The parish of St Philip, jokingly referred to as a republic, had their supreme court entertainer, the Red Plastic Bag, put his stamp on that ethos. That republican court would also boast of John King, Ras Isley and Mac Fingall, all stars of that realm who conquered all before them on the national stage.

Even their poets long registered the republic on their pages past. The outstanding jurist Sandra Mason would sit in regal elegance to usher in the broadened republic.

The Barbados dancers even evoked pride from some in the audience, who expressed reservations about the concert’s timing and grudgingly admitted that the time had indeed come for this declaration of independence.

The pomp and circumstance were now Barbadian, and the dance backed by the no longer Royal Barbados Police Band, who long ago wowed them at Edinburgh with their intricate tattoos.

A bevy of the best of Barbados entertainers warmed the night air and sent waves of joy across the square, the land, the internet and beyond as Omicron drew the world’s attention. But that Greek could not spoil the Barbados dance as Mama Mia, the dance instructor, urged a stepped-up tempo and embraced a republican CARIFESTA.

Within hours, while Bajans slept off the early morning events, voices were raised beyond the shores of Barbados, hailing the performance of what would no longer be called Little England. Voices called for a similar performance and reminded all that this dance had long been on their programme but never executed.

Alas, a look at how Barbados prepared for the grand performance pointed to the bold moves required to prepare the stage for their lavish production.

Their choice of dance moves was critical, and the first step saw them politely turning down any dance offers from the Lords of the Privy Council.

Instead, they accepted the requests wholeheartedly from freshly robed gentlemen and gentlewomen justices of their ilk.

This independence of thought and action prepared the stage for the Barbados dance announced boldly and unequivocally by the first president from St Philip and now all of Barbados.

It is a two-step at the urging of Patterson, Gonsalves, Anthony, Golding and other former and present dance instructors to move swiftly to practice the dance of republicanism.

Let the dance practice begin in Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean for a command performance.

Julian Rogers is a veteran Caribbean journalist and is the current Managing Editor of the Jamaica Observer.