BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 30th October 2020)-Well-known Cultural Preservationist and keeper of the Zack’s Historical- Cultural Library and Museum (located at Buckley’s Estate) Winston ‘Zack’ Nisbett is of the view that changes to the Christmas and Sugar Mas season this time around due to the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to bring back a deeper appreciation and focus on the cultural aspects of St.Kitts-Nevis.

At a tour at his museum having shown this reporter some exhibition pieces related to the early years of Carnival, he was quizzed about changes in the country’s hosting of Sugar Mas 49 (National Carnival) this year and asked if he is looking forward to the cultural aspects taking the spotlight.
Nisbett, who has had a longstanding relation with the Department of Culture in visiting and teaching cultural art forms in school, talked about plans for the upcoming Christmas and carnival season.

 “We are going to be focusing on traditional sports. That is where the Department of Culture will be heading. Just the other night there were some masquerades practicing at the ‘CEMACO’ parking lot, you’ll be seeing the Bull in its splendor and the real aspect with the full explanations such as the Nearga Business, the Red Cross Regimental…you would be seeing those types of sports.”

He went on to say that the Zack’s International String Band-which features many children musicians- will be doing many home serenading in the villages during the Christmas and Carnival Season “as the old time days were”, and is hoping to start such come Saturday (31st October 2020).
In accordance with Nisbett, judging the impact of the cultural impact, the carnival officials should continue in the years ahead going forward.

“If the effect this year is good then they should go through with it because for one I’m a carnival and cultural person. I prefer the real cultural, folkloric than the ‘wukkin up’. Yes, the ‘wukkin up’ is there because it’s carnival time and people go out there more modernized and everything nowadays but we’re adopting outside ways of doing things. It’s best if we stick to our own thing which is more indigenous and and has more meaning and relevance for people, and get younger people involved rather than wasting time. For example, you can see with the traditional musical workshop I host each year where they have to be disciplined and focused on learning to play their cultural instruments such as the banjo, fife and guitar for which they can make their own dollar honestly.”

Commenting on whether he thinks this ‘New Normal’ period gives the chance for more cultural features, he commented: “Of course! That should have been happening long time ago because many of the persons who look at Carnival and culture, they just see the sports up and down the place without much coordination, and so they don’t see the gist of the significance, and so this is times to dig into it and pay more attention where it would be highlighted. You’ll see the fifers, banjo players…the little children you’ll see them at their very best.”

He further touched on the benefits children participating in upholding the culture of St.Kitts-Nevis, he pointed to his string band as an example.
“The children benefit financially in a big way because they earn money to help buy school uniforms and earn money for themselves and their parents. They go out and they get good tips. We play at certain dignified places like the Governor General residence with him seated there and dine with him, and not only that the hotels that are now coming back on stream and so we will be featured at some of them.”

For the occasion of 37th anniversary of Independence (observed 19th September), Nisbett hosted an exhibition dubbed ‘Emancipation to Independence” which concluded recently.

He said “it was “truly it was a spectacle to be seen” noting that many persons visited in the likes of many notable dignitaries and public servants.
The exhibition has been extended which features photo and information highlights of carnival and Christmas of the yesteryear

Individuals, groups and others who wish to visit are asked to call Nisbett at 664-9016