The Ah Payap DVD Story Idakedas contribution to Nation Building

The DVD of ‘Ah Payap, Story Fuh So! The Hidden Cultures of Trinidad and Tobago' was well received by everyone at the formal launch held recently at NALIS.

The new nation story written by Eintou Pearl Springer and told by Eintou and Ravi-Ji was introduced by noted Trinidad and Tobago scholar Professor Brinsley Samaroo. In addition to the showing of the DVD, members of the audience were treated to Parang, Tassa, African Drums and Pichakaaree singing.

Click here to read the Guardian review of the launch

Dara E. Healy, Founder of Idakeda, shared the motivation behind ‘Ah Payap':

"Idakeda is about Transformation.

Everyday, we live and breathe our Motto ‘Changing Communities through Culture. Whether through our work with young people spreading messages about HIV/AIDS or teenage pregnancy or when we work with abused women, we stay focused on our essential mission.

Today's venture is about linking Culture, Tourism and our National Heritage. We therefore envision that this DVD will be shown on every bus and boat, on our National Airline, at our Missions Abroad and should be available for all of our citizens in Diaspora.

Our work in schools and communities has shown us over and over how divorced many of our young people are from their essential Trinidad and Tobago nature. Colonial rule and colonially minded leaders ensured that perfect separation of citizen from nation – north from south, Trinidad from Tobago, east from west.

For the fortunate few, this was not the case. When I grew up, I was equally comfortable being called ‘Beti' or ‘African Princess'. I grew up amongst the icons of culture and heritage. I am grateful for it and I recognise the strength it has given me.

This DVD is thus part of our continued quest to give this gift, this strength, to the legions of young people who not as lucky as my siblings and I. It represents the Passion of Eintou, the Foundation of Ida my grandmother, the person to whom our company is dedicated and it is possible only through you the Supporters of our Arts and Culture.

Thank you for your presence here."

Click here to see the cover of the 'Ah Payap' DVD

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Stay with us on our Journey …