Voices of the Ancestors: An Audio-Visual Library

Voices of the Ancestors: Preserving Barbuda's Stories, Traditions and Cultural Heritage

Project Progress Report – October 2026

Project Update

barbudanGO continues to make progress on Voices of the Ancestors: An Audio-Visual Journey into Barbuda's Cultural Heritage, an initiative dedicated to documenting, preserving and sharing the stories, traditions and lived experiences that form part of Barbuda's cultural identity.

Building on the work completed to date, production is now underway on a new episode entitled "Old Poke Night" the Holiday Episode, which explores how Barbudans celebrate significant cultural and community occasions, with particular attention to Christmas and Carnival.

The episode will capture the traditions, customs, memories and unique ways in which these occasions have been celebrated throughout Barbuda. By documenting these experiences, the project aims to preserve traditions for younger generations while creating an accessible record of the island's cultural heritage.

Bringing Heritage to Life: Community Showcase

The upcoming episode is scheduled for release in December 2026 and will be showcased at the Devotional groups (a local community organisation) annual Christmas Extravaganza.

To complement the screening, barbudanGO is planning a specially designed traditional sound room within a tent. The space will be decorated to evoke the atmosphere of traditional Barbuda, incorporating elements such as white sand and other familiar cultural features.

This immersive experience will allow visitors to engage with the recordings in an environment that reflects the heritage being documented. It will also provide an opportunity for different generations to connect through shared memories, stories and traditions.

Looking Ahead

As the project progresses, barbudanGO remains committed to ensuring that Barbuda's cultural knowledge is not lost with time. Through audio-visual documentation, community participation and public showcases, the project is helping to create a lasting archive of the island's history and traditions.

The December showcase will be an important opportunity to bring the project directly to the community, encourage intergenerational conversations and celebrate the cultural identity that makes Barbuda unique.

We are grateful to everyone who continues to support this work and contribute to preserving Barbuda's stories for future generations.