On February 26th 2022, writer and Golden drum awardee for literature, Jenno Jacob from the southern community of Grandbay, released his new book entitled ‘Coronival’. Remarkably, Jacob has won numerous national literacy competitions over the years particularly in the short story category and has been a recipient of the country’s highest cultural award, the Golden Drum Awards.
Moreover, he has written many film stories on Dominica folk beliefs, what he considers a ‘timeless collection of Dominica’s myths’.
Upon interview with Emonews, Jacob explained that the name ‘Coronival’ is a merge of the two words Corona and Carnival. The name is quite fitting as the book is released during this dreadful pandemic as well as the weekend of carnival in Dominica.
According to Jacob, the storyline is centered on a group of masqueraders who are defying the ‘no carnival’ prohibition by the authorities. Five lapo cabwit band members got an awakening through a breadfruit tree representing their ancestral beliefs. They were given powers to take to skies and clouds to play lapo cabwit and welcome persons to engage in the jubilation and celebration.
Interestingly, Jacob expressed, “This science fiction and folklore seeks to fill the gap of the nostalgia of persons especially since our last real carnival was 2019. It is carnival weekend and most people will be at home so persons will need reading material and this book is perfect to afford them a chance to relive the good old days.”
Further, he added, “While people are nostalgic and disappointed, this book will soothe their minds and will be a maroonage from the pandemic. I would like minds to wander on how it used to be before.”
Jacob made mention that the book contributes to the literary field in Dominica by using traditional culture to bring to the fort aspects of real mas to persons locally, regionally and internationally.
What is more, he articulated, “Negative events such as storms and pandemics will occur. We as Dominicans are creative people as such we should look at creative means of not letting our culture die. We must escape the negatives that are bent on crippling our culture and should find ways to represent it to our visitors.”
In addition, Jacobs noted that the target population for his book ranges from children as young as primary school age all the way to adulthood. The book is readily available and accessible to everyone.
Notably, persons could access the hard copy in Roseau from persons selling it at different locations as well as online from Wednesday March 2nd 2022. What a way to celebrate the season. An opportunity to reminisce.
