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Craft Techniques of Dominica

The Depository documents 5 techniques in Dominica; by risk level: 1 endangered, 2 vulnerable, 1 stable. Each record opens with a public summary; the full research record is free to view once registered.

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Food, Drink & Botanical

  • Dominica Bay Oil Steam DistillationFood, Drink & Botanical · Vulnerable

    The harvesting and steam-distillation of leaves and twigs from the West Indian bay tree (Pimenta racemosa, locally 'Bwa-Den') into bay oil, a signature Dominican agro-heritage product used since the 19th century in perfumery, most famously…

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Ceramics & Pottery

  • Kalinago Colombin Coil PotteryCeramics & Pottery · Endangered

    Hand-coiled pottery made by Kalinago artisans of Dominica using the colombin (coil) technique, a hand-building method documented as inherited from earlier Arawak-speaking precursor populations in the Lesser Antilles.

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Boatbuilding & Maritime

  • Kalinago Gommier Dugout Canoe BuildingBoatbuilding & Maritime · Extinct — Revival Exists

    The carving of single-tree-trunk dugout canoes (kanawa) from the gommier tree (Dacryodes excelsa / Dacryodes hexandra) by Kalinago master builders of Dominica's Kalinago Territory.

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Basketry & Woven Fiber

  • Kalinago Larouma Reed BasketryBasketry & Woven Fiber · Vulnerable

    The hand-processing and weaving of larouma reed (also called larouman) into baskets, mats, trays, and containers by artisans of the Kalinago people, Indigenous inhabitants of Dominica's Kalinago Territory — the only officially recognized…

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Mask, Puppet & Costume

  • Sensay Masquerade Costume-MakingMask, Puppet & Costume · Stable

    The construction of Sensay masquerade costumes, a centerpiece traditional character of Dominica's Mas Domnik ('The Real Mas') carnival, tied around the wearer's entire body in dense, ruffled layers to resemble a frizzle fowl — a…

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