Join Dominica's Independence Day celebrations

As well as celebrating Independence, this holiday is also used to celebrate the unique Creole culture with colourful events taking place throughout October, culminating with The National Day of Independence Parade on 3 November.

These celebrations portray vivid examples of the island's cultural influences. The traditional dances display European traces in Hill & Toe, Waltz, and Quadrille; and borrow from African native dances in Bèlè.

The diversity of Creole culture predominates at this time of year, as villages and communities throughout the island compete to show their superiority in preserving and developing different cultural expressions. Certain days, such as Kwèyòl Day, Heritage Day, and National Day promote different aspects of the island's cultural heritage. This is also a time when many islanders wear the traditional national dress. The Wob Dwiyet is the centerpiece of this stunning costume and is widely worn. The last Friday before Independence is Creole Day and all Dominicans will wear at least some variation of the national dress.

The theme for this year's Independence celebrations is 'creating opportunities, empowering communities'.

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-ee-ka) is a spectacular green island of rugged mountains, lush rainforests and rushing rivers in the Eastern Caribbean, lying south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique.

For more information about Dominica and National Day of Independence visit discoverdominica.com and youtube.com/discoverdominica.