Every March, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) celebrates Heroes and Heritage Month, a dedicated time to acknowledge the historical traditions that shape the Vincentian way of life. A focal point of this month is March 14th, observed as National Heroes Day to honor the nation's first and most revered hero, Chief Joseph Chatoyer.

Chief Chatoyer was a prominent leader of the Garifuna, an ethnic group also known historically as the Black Caribs. The Garifuna are an Afro-Indigenous people whose origins stem from the intermarriage of the indigenous Kalinago (Caribs) and Africans who escaped slavery or survived shipwrecks in the 17th century.

Under Chatoyer's courageous leadership, the Garifuna fiercely defended their homeland against British colonial expansion. He successfully forced the British to sign a peace treaty during the First Carib War in 1772, but after the British continually ignored its terms, Chatoyer initiated the Second Carib War in 1795. Tragically, he was killed in battle by British troops on Dorsetshire Hill on March 14, 1795. Today, a monument stands at the site of his death, where a solemn wreath-laying ceremony takes place annually.

Following Chatoyer's death and the end of the war, the Garifuna were subjected to mass exile. During Heroes Month, many Vincentians visit the Grenadine island of Balliceaux to pay their respects, as this was where the indigenous people were held as prisoners of war—and where more than half perished—before being deported.

The survivors were transported to the island of Roatán in Honduras. From there, the Garifuna migrated along the Caribbean coast, establishing resilient communities in present-day Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, while others eventually settled in the United States.

Despite their displacement, the Garifuna maintained a vibrant culture, including spiritual traditions, the celebratory Punta, Wanaragua and Paranda dances, and the cultivation of cassava. In recognition of this enduring heritage, UNESCO added Garifuna culture to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.

To help unify this global diaspora, SVG recently hosted the 4th Annual Garifuna Heritage Rite of Passage Pilgrimage during Heroes Month, welcoming over 150 international visitors back to the island to honor their ancestral roots.

While the culture remains deeply resilient, the unique Garifuna language—which blends Arawakan, Cariban, French, Spanish, and English influences—is currently at risk of disappearing. To combat this, St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday recently advocated for the formal integration of the Garifuna language into the nation's educational curriculum.

Arguing that informal instruction is no longer enough, the Prime Minister emphasized that making the language and its associated arts a core academic subject is essential for preserving the country's ancestral heritage. By institutionalizing these indigenous customs, SVG hopes to ensure that the Garifuna legacy remains a living, breathing part of the local identity for future generations.

On March 14, 2026, Trinidad and Tobago celebrated the 79th birthday of beloved calypsonian Timothy Watkins, better known as Baron or The Sweet Soca Man.

Born in Bamboo Village, La Romaine, Baron began singing in church with his parents before launching his calypso career in the early 1970s. Introduced to the Original Young Brigade by Lord Shorty, he went on to become one of the most recognizable voices in soca and calypso, with classics like Feeling It, Sweet Soca Man, Doh Rock It So, and Melosian Rhapsody. He also became a staple of the Christmas season with favorites like It’s Christmas, Come Go, and Spanish Woman.

Known for his smooth vocals and commanding stage presence, Baron remains a treasured cultural icon. As he celebrated this milestone birthday, many across the region reflected on the joy his music has brought for decades and continue to send love and well wishes his way.

🎥 Watch: Baron’s performance at Ras Shorty I’s 25th Remembrance Concert

The Signal Hill Alumni Choir is preparing for an exciting trip to South Africa this August, where they will bring the rich sounds of Tobago to an international audience. Now in its 42nd year, the choir will visit two cities, including Cape Town, as it continues its long tradition of sharing Caribbean culture beyond the region.

Last weekend, the choir offered a preview of that journey with Source to Shore – A Musical Journey, a free one-hour concert at Exodus Panyard in Trinidad and Tobago. Led by choir director John Arnold, the performance also served as a fundraiser in support of the upcoming tour.

Patrons enjoyed an energetic presentation featuring dynamic choreography by Georgina Peterkin, along with local folk songs and African selections. For a one-hour show, the choir delivered a lot of variety and gave the audience a solid taste of what they will be taking to South Africa.

🎥 Watch: Signal Hill Alumni Choir’s Source to Shore - A musical Journey

Last weekend, we shared this infographic on Anthony Williams on Pi Day, observed each year on March 14. Since pi comes from the mathematics of a circle, it felt like a fitting time to reflect on the man behind the Spider Web Tenor Pan, a design that helped shape the instrument as we know it today.

Dr. Anthony “Tony” Williams (1931–2021), often called the “scientist supreme” of the steelband movement, brought together geometry, harmonics, and musical innovation in a way that changed pan forever. In 1953, he created the Spider Web Pan, using a circular layout and arranging notes in the cycle of fifths—a design that remains the standard for tenor pans today. As captain of the Pan Am North Stars, he also led the band to major victories and helped take steelpan onto the world stage.

🎥 Watch: When Steel Talks interview with Anthony Williams

Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.

According to a 2024 Facebook post by Ian Franklin, "Wilby” was “1 of 8 that made the band’s first 6 tours from 1963 - 1969” who was still around in 2024.

Founding Member of Commancheros Steel Orchestra (Grenada).
Passed: March 14, 2026 at the age of 90 years.

Arima Angel Harps Steel Orchestra

Classes start: Saturday 11 April, 2026
Registration Fee: $100

Contact:
Mersuda: 1-868-487-1481
Noel Edwards: 1-868-706-4144
Soriya: 1-868-796-0462

Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra

Junior Academy (5-18 years)
Cost: $50 registration fee + $500 per term

Days:
Wednesdays — 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Saturdays — 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Classes begin: March 18, 2026

Senior Academy (18+)
Cost: $50 registration fee + $500 per term

Days: Saturdays — 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Classes begin: March 14, 2026

Carifest x Pan Dynamicx Steelpan Workshop

Registration currently open

Date: March 29, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Studio Bell, Calgary

Cost: Free

Register:
https://www.studiobell.ca/whats-on/event/carifest-steel-pan-workshop

Kiari Mokos Entertainment is recruiting participants.

Location: Siparia, Trinidad & Tobago

Contact:
WhatsApp only — 1-868-799-3302

Location: Gasparillo Community Center

Cost:
Beginner — $200
Intermediate — $250
Advanced — $300

Classes begin: April 11

Contact:
Jahvin Neptune — 1-868-312-9570

RoadBlock Steel Orchestra Easter Cultural Camp

Activities include:
Art & Craft
Steelpan
Field Trips
Outdoor Activities
Dance
Cultural Awareness

Location: TIWU Hall, Eastern Main Road, Laventille

Dates: March 31 – April 10, 2026
(Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM)

Cost: $300

Contact:
1-868-736-2745
1-868-373-5840
[email protected]

Hilltoppers Steelpan Academy Easter Pan Camp

Activities include:
Steelpan classes
Ensemble performance training
Music theory basics
Sports & team building activities

Dates: March 30 – April 5, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Cost: $200 per child

Contact:
1-868-357-7787

ComPANions
All Fours & Karaoke

Date: March 20, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: bp Renegades Steel Orchestra Panyard

Cost: Free

Tunapuna Tipica Steel Orchestra
Tipica Afterdark New Edition featuring Nelly Cottoy

Age: 18yrs & over
Date: Friday 20 March, 2026
Boarding Time: 11 PM
Location: Harts Cut, Chaguaramas
Cost: Free

Contact:
Denzel: 1-868-396-6053
Mark: 1-868-494-3949
Lecharl: 1-868-374-7742

Kirk Franklin Live in Concert
Prisoners No More

Date: Saturday 21 March, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM (doors open 4:00 pm)
Location: Queens Park Oval
Cost:
Kids: $280
General: $400
VIP: $500

Seated: The Bar

Karaoke & Cutters Saturday

Location: 6 Gimbal Street, Siparia
Date: Saturday 21 March, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Cost: Free

Reggae Sunday: Rhythms

Location: 6 Gimbal Street, Siparia
Date: Sunday 22 March, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: Free

Brooklyn, New York

BAM Free Music

Date: Thursday March 19, 2026
Time: 7:00pm
Location: BAM - Peter Jay Sharp Building (BAMcafe)
Performances by: Anika Berry Hearts of Steel, J2 & Friends J’ouvert Bands
Cost: FREE

Thank you for reading Culture Archives from I Am Living My Life.

If you know of a cultural event, steelpan program, or community initiative that should be featured in a future edition, feel free to reach out.

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