Changing Landscapes

Have you ever wondered how Cassava bread is made?

If you ever heard of Cassava before, you might know it has deep roots in indigenous cultures. Find out more by watching the short films below, written, directed and produced by the Changing Landscapes Team representing the North Windward Communities living in the Red Volcanic Zone on St Vincent.

Changing Landscapes SVG is a collaboration between, scientists, photographers and filmmakers engaging communities in the Red Zone. The aim is to provide opportunities to create new knowledges and celebrate the experience of living with La Soufrière Volcano. We are sharing spaces to document the physical and social changes taking place in the Red Zone since the 2020-21 volcanic eruption while exploring community expressions of risk, identity and home in the Red Zone.

On April 9th 2021, the La Soufriére Volcano in St Vincent entered into an explosive phase of eruption blanketing areas in the Red Zone in volcanic ash and tephra. Scientists at the SRC provided early warning of the eruption to the authorities allowing Communities in the Red Zone to evacuate before the first explosion. However, the impact of the eruption on infrastructure and required clean up and repair efforts resulted in delays for communities returning home. Many months were spent living in both public and private shelters. On returning home, many found their homes had been damaged or destroyed by ash fall and powerful lahars (mixtures of ash, rock, other debris, and water) that had occurred during periods of heavy rain.

The films tell stories of the lived experiences of communities in the Red Zone and the 2020-21 eruption, they were premiered at the Hairouna Film Festival in May and you can now watch them here:

MOVING ON:

The most recent eruption of La Soufriére Volcano in April 2021, once again resulted in the evacuation of communities to the south of the island. Moving On is a film documenting some of our experiences during the evacuation, in our journey moving back home and in relocation for those most affected. Through it all we are strongest when we move together.

Filmmakers: Kimony Wilson, Chris Brackin, Amorel Sam, Patricia Fraser, Danroy Thomas, Kimlyn Wilson

RETURN TOGETHER:

Return Together is a short film sharing some of our difficult experiences due to the 2021 volcanic eruption and how we stuck together as a community from Fancy. The spaces we share, our traditions and what makes us unique - it brings us hope to return to the place we call home and build back our community together.

Filmmakers: Shemron Yorke, Jessenter Bowens, Danny Michael, Nixon York, Rafique Hackshaw

A VINCENTIAN CASSAVA STORY:

Although undervalued and seldom heard about, Cassava is a powerful and adaptable root crop with many benefits. Moreso, did you know that cassava has bonded families and communities together and is possibly one of the reasons our ancestors lived long lives? Come! Let's explore a bit!