ROAD TOWN, Tortola, British Virgin Islands — Approximately 40 residents from across the Virgin Islands recently gathered to learn about the uses, benefits and cultural significance of local bush and medicinal plants as the Department of Culture continues its efforts to preserve the Territory’s traditional knowledge and heritage.
The cultural education workshop was held on Wednesday, September 23, and facilitated by herbalist Mrs. Arona Fahie Forbes, who guided participants through the traditional applications of various medicinal plants commonly known in the Virgin Islands.
Attendees had the opportunity to examine actual plant samples while learning about their uses in traditional remedies, wellness practices and everyday life.
Mrs. Fahie Forbes, a former Acting Chief Agricultural Officer, farmer, businesswoman and author, shared her knowledge of local plants and their place in promoting healthy lifestyles through traditional natural practices.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of passing down indigenous knowledge from one generation to the next, ensuring that traditional practices remain part of the Territory’s cultural identity.
Deputy Director of Culture, Ms. Anne Lennard, welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of safeguarding the customs, traditions and knowledge that form part of Virgin Islands heritage.
“We came together to learn, share and preserve the knowledge, traditions and practices that are an important part of our Virgin Islands culture. It was encouraging to see so many persons interested in safeguarding knowledge passed down through generations,” Ms. Lennard said.
She further highlighted the connection between the Territory’s natural environment and its cultural history, noting that local plants represent more than just the surrounding landscape.
“They carry stories, they carry traditions and, most importantly, they carry knowledge that connects us to our land and to those who came before us. When you know the plants, you know the land,” she stated.
The workshop forms part of the Department of Culture’s ongoing series of cultural educational workshops, which aim to document, preserve and share different aspects of Virgin Islands heritage with the wider community.
Through these initiatives, the Department continues to create opportunities for residents to learn from individuals with specialised knowledge of traditional practices while encouraging greater appreciation for the Territory’s cultural legacy.
The next workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, and will feature Ms. Janice Nibbs Blyden, who will share knowledge about the traditional art of making Virgin Islands Guavaberry Liqueur.
The upcoming session will provide another opportunity for residents to explore a distinctive aspect of local heritage and learn about a tradition that has long held cultural significance in the Virgin Islands.