Barbados 4-H Foundation's Kite Making Workshops Aim to Revive Cultural Tradition

The Barbados 4-H Foundation is dedicated to rekindling interest in the cherished Barbadian tradition of kite making.

On Saturday morning, the organisation hosted hands-on workshops designed to teach the island’s youth the fundamentals of this time-honoured craft. The initiative featured two simultaneous sessions, one at St George Primary School and the other at Frederick Smith Secondary School in the northern part of the island.

Jan-Yves Holder, the organisation’s public relations officer, explained the project is part of a broader strategy to keep cultural heritage alive in the hearts and hands of the younger generation.

“The Barbados 4-H is committed to preserving this cultural tradition,” Holder told Barbados TODAY, stressing the importance of passing down skills that were once widespread but are now increasingly rare.

She explained that the trend of buying pre-made kites has overtaken the age-old tradition of crafting them by hand, a shift the organisation hopes to reverse.

“Everyone is buying their kites nowadays, so we want to teach the young people how to make kites and to go back to that so that every Easter mummy and daddy would not have to spend that money. They would have the basic knowledge on how to make a kite,” she said.

Holder emphasised that this is just the beginning of a wider outreach campaign. “Every Easter we are going to try to have workshops, and not only at this school, but we are going to move around to other schools that have 4-H groups as well. We are trying to reach the entire island,” she noted, adding that the workshops will rotate to ensure equitable access for children from various parishes.

“This is our pilot programme for our kitemaking workshop,” she added, signalling the start of what the organisation hopes will become an annual Easter tradition that brings communities together through creativity and craftsmanship.

At the St George Primary School, nine students took part in the session, eagerly engaging in designing, cutting, and assembling their kites. For many of them, it was their first time learning the mechanics behind the high-flying symbols of Easter in Barbados.

The Barbados 4-H Foundation has long been known for its work in youth development, and this latest initiative aligns with its mission to empower young people through practical skills, civic engagement, and cultural education.

By reviving kite-making, the group not only aims to inspire pride in local traditions but also to encourage families to bond over shared creative projects, ensuring that future generations continue to enjoy this vibrant aspect of Barbadian heritage. (STT)