The first Gli Gli Canoe Expedition began in 1997.  The purpose of the expedition was to reenact the travels of the first inhabitants of the Caribbean Islands, the Carib Indians, long before the Spanish, English and French traders discovered this island chain.  Over the centuries the original inhabitants, the Carib Indians, explored and set up colonies on the various islands in the chain, making there way to Guyana on the mainland of South America and as far north as Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands.  As the modern world caught up with these native people their colonies disappeared, many were killed by the European traders who’s only interest was gold, sugar cane, and setting up colonies of there own.  Now, today, this indigenous population of Carib Indians has there own land, or territory, on the island of Dominica. They are a simple people, making a living selling their crafts, gathering the abundant variety of fruits found everywhere in the Territory for sale in local markets, making canoes for private buyers and exporting lumber.  Most do not have electricity or any modern conveniences as we know of today.   Although small pockets of Carib Indians live in other locations such as Guyana, this preserved territory is what remains of this indigenous population of the Caribbean Islands.

This photo slideshow with music was made from still photographs from the second journey of the famous Gli Gli canoe.  It was made as a photo documentary and depicts the entire expedition, the travels of the canoe as it passed between islands, life aboard our support ship, the mighty "Fiddlers Green", a 1930 bark made in Denmark and Captained by Doug Watson, the festivities, concerts, and everything in between.  The journey lasted 22 days with 24 full-time active participants, sometimes sleeping aboard the support ship, sometimes on the shores of island beaches or as guests in sporting facilities by some island sponsors, and encompassed stops on the islands of Antigua, Nevis, St Kitts, St Barts, St Marten, and Anguila.  The people of each island greeted us in warm Caribbean fashion, with large cheering crowds at each landfall, music, food and in some cases festivities of there own, for celebrating the historic travels of the mighty Carib Indian.  In turn, the Carib Indians gave concerts in local schools, museums, and public outings.  Lessons in basket weaving, a craft the Carib Indians are well known for, music, making cassava bread, dance, and other Indian traditions rounded out our itinerary.  After 3 or 4 days on an island we set sail and headed for the next island.

Special Note:  As we ventured along meeting new people and visiting new places, I was surprised at how many school children from the various islands thought that the Carib Indians were no longer in existence.

 

For a more in-depth look at the Carib Indians click on the menu item “Portfolios” above and go to the menu item “Carib Indians”.  There you will find portraits, landscapes and a slideshow of the lifestyle of the Carib Indians.

 

For more information about the Gli Gli project visit: http://www.avirtualdominica.com/gligli/index.html

 

If you wish to see the Gli Gli canoe you will have to travel to the Island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.  Once you clear customs, head for Trellis Bay, only a 10-minute walk from the airport and walk along the beach.  There you will find Gli Gli.  She is sitting in front of Aragorn’s Studio http://www.geocities.com/caribcanoe/aragorn.html, a unique gift shop where you will find crafts from the Carib Indian Territory as well as many other fine gifts.  While there, go next door and visit the Trellis Bay Cyber Café http://www.windsurfing.vi, and enjoy one of their island meals or your favorite island spirit, and send an email using the Café’s internet section.  Say hi to Jeremy, owner of the Cyber Café, a character you won’t soon forget.  And if you time it right, the full moon party is a treat for young and old.

 

View the Slide Show and enjoy.