Download the Complete Catalog  – Healthy Islander Christmas 2022 Catalog

DEXIA, the Dominica Health and Wellness Association, the Waitukubuli Artists Association, Dominica Arts & Crafts Producers, Dominica Manufacturers Association bring you a Strictly Local Christmas Shopping experience this year, showcasing a multitude of local talent.

See the amazing products that are being made right here in Dominica – Buy local this Christmas!

Shop for gifts for the entire family. Enjoy face painting, dips, food and live music. Buy art, crafts, wellness products and earn a chance to participate in a raffle. All at the Roseau Market from Wednesday, December 19th to Friday, December 21st.
Sponsored by DEXIA, – Brought to you by: DHWA , DACPA, DMA & WAA
Learn more on DHWA’s Facebook page.

Natural Soap Bundles from Dominca.

Try these locally made soap bundles from Nature’s Caress. There’s a package to suit every Mood!

Each Specialty Soap Bundle comes with a Body Oil and Two Soaps. Choose from one of five Soap Mood Bundles from Calming to Rejuvenating and more… a bundle for every occasion:

• CALMING
• WARMING
• REJUVENATING
• SENSITIVE
• DERMA CARE

Read more or purchase Nature’s Caress Mood Bundles online HERE

Visit Nature’s Caress here to make a purchase online or contact them directly.

Hand-crafted Chapo Pay are common in Dominica, where we have many talented craftsmen and craftswomen who continue to practice the skills they were taught by their grandparents.

One such talented woman is Ms. Jistine Fontaine, sister to the late Prime Minister Hon. Pierre Charles.

Jistine creates these beautiful hats herself. She makes the straw from screw-pine before weaving the hats into various designs and adding the creole touches, madras clothe and a flower or two.

Do you have your Chapo Pay for the 2016 Independence Season?

If not, feel free to visit Jistine. She is located at the corner of Independence and Hillsborough Streets. Once Cruise Season starts, you can find her on the Bayfront at Booth #2.

Her hats are reasonably priced and beautifully crafted in both men’s and women’s styles!

The Process

Making the ‘straw’ from screw-pine is not an easy task!

Watch this fantastic video from the Cultural Division that shows how screw pine is processed and then made into different products. The mini documentary is less than 5 minutes.

• For more information about Traditional Dress in Dominica visit avirtualDominica.com

Having said that I think I’ve done pretty well so far, trying new things in Dominica:

• Lionfish
• Marlin
• Dolphin (Dorado)
• Paw Paw (Papaya)
• Accra (a type of fish fritter)
• Bakes
• Guava
• Passion Fruit
• Bread Fruit (shown in the photo below)
• Dasheen
• Mangosteen
• Christophene
• Plantain

Before I was presented with Lionfish and chips as one of my first meals here, I was told that by eating this dish I was doing my bit to preserve the reef conservation on the island.

• For more on the islands fishy predators click here

I have to say fish n’ chips is usually battered “fish” and chips slathered with salt and vinegar with loads of ketchup! But Lionfish n’ chips, Dominica-style, is something altogether different. The chips were awesome, thinly sliced pieces of Breadfruit and Potato then fried with a side helping of Plantain, and the salad consisted of Avocado with your typical greens. Then for the fishy finale, remember me saying I’m fussy? Fish is one of the dishes I’m not all that keen on. I have to say it was quite delicious, honestly. And the idea that I was actually helping preserve Dominica’s reefs by eating this meal made it taste even better.

In the last few months I think I’ve eaten more fish than I can shake a stick at.

Bakes are pretty awesome, essentially they are savoury doughnuts. You can have the healthier option and have a whole wheat bake (I’ve seen these, not eaten them) or just a plain old hearty delicious bake. Dad and I have considered putting Nutella in one to see what it would taste like. Anyone ever tried that?

Back in England, and probably everywhere else, you have the Innocent Smoothie range, with their Strawberry and Banana smoothie… But here you can’t beat a fruit juice that is made right in front of you with fresh-off-the tree Banana, Orange and Guava and something else equally as delicious it slipped my mind as I’m thinking about the smoothie! It’s an assault on the taste buds, full of natural goodness and vitamins

Read more about dining in Dominica  To read more about Kim’s adventures click here

I Am Dominica is a beautiful book to read, covering cultural traditions as well as the island’s wildlife in and out of the water.

Each segment is written with a lovely, easy flowing rhythm and such simplicity. Paired with the delicate art work of Aaron Hamilton, Mara Etienne-Manley has captured the essence of Dominica and filled every page with it.

The energy, vibrance, sounds, scents, flavours and life of the island are shown in such a way that the reader cannot help but get lost in the words and artwork.

With Dominica being an island that speaks both English and Creole, this unique book embraces this on each page; keeping the Dominican culture alive with a beautiful translation.

I Am Dominica will give readers a fantastic insight into the heart and soul of the people on the island. Each page so wonderfully written reminding children not to forget how marvelous their heritage is.

• To order your copy please go to Visit-Dominica.com