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Taking time to play "In De Yard"

   Kite-making and crucous bag racing are usually not what many young Virgin Islanders think of when told to ‘go play in the yard.’ But much have changed in the past three years.
   Reichhold Center began “In De Yard” in 2006 as a lead-in to the Playing Ring concert. Set aside for the territory’s children, generations of Virgin Islanders come together to enjoy activities no longer seen on the playground.
   A nod to the simpler times, “In De Yard” stretches the youngster’s imagination, forcing them to create their own enjoyment: for the musicians in the mix, a class on banjo making and Quelbe; and for future mechanical engineers, the construction of a go-cart to get around the playground.
   The day is steeped in traditional flair. The students handclap and “heel and toe” to the sound of a grand master leading the quadrille, the traditional dance of the Virgin Islands. The student dancers became mini experts in the French Imperial and Flat German quadrilles.
   The future culture bearers spend quality time plaiting multicolored ribbons into various patterns and dancing around the maypole. They learn the beautiful art of making headwraps from madras, and take turns making cloth dolls in traditional attire.
   Some of the territory’s best storytellers – Glen “Kwabena” Davis, Gene Emanuel, Gilbert Sprauve – are on hand to regale the youths with tales of the trickster Anansi, as well as Bre Rabbit and Bre Tigger. The storytellers act as Griots, passing on oral history and folklore.
   During the day-long event, much of the delight came from yard games. Youngsters play jacks, tops, cocks and toe-toe-tom. They can be seen kneeling for a hearty turn at marbles, laughing during a five-person try at the jump rope, or skipping across the numbers during hopscotch.
   This year’s “playground for the youth,” was bigger and better with more traditional games and activities. The students learned about the guiro, a musical instrument made from boards of cassava, as well as the bass pan. They took turns playing maurel, a St. Croix version of hopscotch.
   Passing on the traditions and heritage is no easy feat. Oftentimes, those identified as culture bearers find it hard to get young people to take the reigns of learning about the years gone by. However, the past three years has seen an upswing in interest with Playing Ring’s “In De Yard.”

—Diane Francis