BY NACKESHIA TOMLINSON

Observer writer

SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Is dasheen the new cassava?

Not quite, but sentiments associated with the promotion of cassava for the local market a few years ago were recently revived at a dasheen festival in Braes River, five miles north east of Santa Cruz.

The festival promoted products derived from dasheen, which grows in abundance in Braes River, and which, like cassava, is a tuber.

Dasheen cakes and puddings, dasheen meatballs and dumplings, and a punch that was good enough to be bottled hit the spot for locals and visitors who turned out following heavy mid-afternoon showers. These were supplemented by traditional favourites such as jerk chicken, dukunnu, coconut toto, janga soup, and fruits.

Other aspects of the festival included a kids’ zone where children were treated to face painting and small hand-crafted items and an entertainment package featuring folk songs and dances. The day ended with an impromptu after-party which saw residents and visitors alike relishing the selections of a local deejay.

The event was organised by conceptualiser Sister Grace Yap, a Roman Catholic nun who does charity work in the area; the Braes River Community Development Group, whose members created the dasheen derivatives and other food products; the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCO); and Member of Parliament for North East St Elizabeth Raymond Pryce.

Residents and members of the organising committee expressed their desire for the continuance of the event. Participant and patron Daliah Francis, principal of Braes River Primary School, hailed the festival as a means of getting the community together while simultaneously making the children aware of their cultural heritage.

Donette Tyrell, who had dasheen products on sale, told the Jamaica Observer Central: “I think we are going somewhere. It’s a community project; we get involved in the community, meet other people, help other people and get exposure for bigger things.”

A member of the organising committee, Mellisa Higgins, who said she had been afraid rain would spoil the event, told the Observer Central she was enthusiastically looking forward to another festival.

Anthony Freckleton, chairman of the South Coast Resort Board and a director of TPDCO, gave his endorsement and committed to assisting in the future. He described the festival as a nucleus for a “great product”. Freckleton said that although TPDCO provided technical support in this instance, he would be advocating for a more meaningful partnership next year “so it (festival) can enhance the community, create jobs, develop craft industries, maybe becoming even bigger than the defunct shrimp festival that used to be held in Middle Quarters”.

Pryce, too, committed increased support as he said that “the overall vision” is a series of activities throughout the year that will pull visitors to the community. He claimed that the festival was a model for rural development and could result in the entrance of enterprises so that residents can earn.

Further, Pryce said he wanted to encourage community tourism initiatives in Braes River and neighbouring Goshen with the development of bike trails and nature trails, and river picnics.

Dasheen folder

Kareta Watson displays her wares.

Volunteers from Canisius College engage with children at the dasheen festival.

(PHOTOS: NACKEISHA TOMLINSON)