The Indigenous Community of Dominica
Source: Discover Dominica
It is said that millions of years ago, a great boa constrictor emerged from the ocean, claiming the island of Waitukubuli (Dominica) as the new home of the Kalinago People. Bakwa, the diamond-crested snake of fables, paved the way for the First People and fiercely defended us against colonizers who intended to take our home. Legend has it that Bakwa lies in wait, asleep here until the world is at peace.
With this legacy, the Kalinago Territory remains a protected and cherished homeland for Dominica's indigenous community. Filled with generous people and lush nature, the Territory still bears a grand landmark of Bakwa's endowment: L'escalier Tete Chien—Stairs of the Great Serpent.
Today, the Kalinago People invite newcomers, not to seize land, but to share in its beauty. Join us in our 3,700-acre enclave in the north of Dominica to immerse in the culture, nature, and kindness of the Kalinago People. A collective of indigenous-owned homestays, restaurants, tour guides, and artisans await, all offering our warmest welcome.
Through generosity, locally driven hospitality, and authentic encounters, we endeavor to uplift the Kalinago People and honor Bakwa's vision of peace.
The Kalinago Way
Storytelling
The Kalinago People carry on the legacy and hope of Bakwa, driven by ever-evolving wisdom and inherited tales of overcoming despite the odds. Passing on this knowledge is how we connect, to one another and to visitors. Join us to learn the meaningful stories of our ancestors, our land, and our survival.
Strength
At the essence of the Kalinago People is a resilient spirit, unwavering in its song of survival. In the face of colonization, natural disasters, and the passage of time, we endure, propelled by a united fortitude of mind, character, and culture.
Heritage
The history of the First People of Dominica is marked by beauty, resilience, and hope. By preserving our traditions, prioritizing education, and embracing guests to our shores, the Kalinago People nurture our distinct cultural, linguistic, and environmental legacy.
Healing
By embracing the bounty of our land, ancient Kalinago healing practices, and holistic rituals promote wellness for all who seek it. Just as the earth has been a source of healing for generations of Kalinago People, we are committed to reciprocating that healing. Kalinago healing and land practices inspire national and international environmental initiatives.
Connection
United by strong bonds and ancient roots, the Kalinago holds dear our community, our land, and our culture. It is our honor to extend a warm welcome to newcomers and to invite guests to embrace and appreciate what we cherish.
We Are the First People of Waitukubuli
We are the direct descendants of the earliest peoples to arrive in Dominica and the Caribbean, journeying from Asia and across the Bering Strait. Once hunter-gatherers, we crossed the islands of the Lesser Antilles from the Orinoco region of South America in our roughly hewn canoes, making homes in caves along the seashore. To survive, and then thrive, we gathered shellfish from the rocky shores and coral reefs, caught fish in the rivers, hunted crabs, birds, and iguanas, and fed ourselves wild yams and fruit.
We were the island's first explorers, trekking through its high mountains and naming it Waitukubuli, meaning “Tall Is Her Body”—a name we still use today. Our families journeyed together in canoes, carrying food and plants. For the indigenous Amerindian people, the forests of Dominica are a treasury of natural materials integral to our daily lives.
With the arrival of European colonizers, the Kalinago People and their way of life fell under threat. Beginning in 1503, Spain issued decrees permitting settlers to capture and enslave indigenous peoples across the Americas and the Caribbean. They renamed our island Dominica. The native populations of smaller, flatter islands were decimated. Yet, we resisted.
By the 1760s, Dominica had become a British colony, and the island was mapped and sold off. We were dispossessed of nearly all our land. Many of us retreated to the secluded east coast, continuing our way of life and preserving our culture against the odds.
The establishment of our communal land, the Kalinago Territory, in 1903 by the British marked a turning point. For the first time, a chief was officially recognized. Since then, 20 chiefs have been appointed, with a brief hiatus between 1930 and 1953 when the British Colonial administration suspended the chief’s office. Despite this, our people continued to honor certain elders as leaders.
Now, we are a community of 3,000 people living in a 3,700-acre space. And a Kalinago revival is underway. A new generation is reconnecting with our distinguished heritage, blending a rich tapestry of traditions. This renewed vitality has been crucial for our community to overcome the severe damage done by Hurricane Maria in 2017. We are developing our region to become stronger than ever. We invite you to join this journey, to visit and immerse yourself in our living culture.
