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From our correspondent
Roseau, Dominica – October 22 2026 — Educator, community advocate, and public servant Jacinta “Jess” Bannis officially marked her debut as an author with the launch of her historical fiction novel, Of Islets, Folklore and Second Chances. The momentous event took place on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Castle Bruce Regional Emergency Shelter on Dominica’s east coast. Doubling as a vibrant Kweyol and African-themed 70th birthday celebration, the occasion brought together an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends, well-wishers, and community members to honor a remarkable life of public service while introducing her new literary work.
Set in rural Dominica during the 1960s, the novel offers readers a nostalgic glimpse into a resilient way of life shaped by faith, tradition, and resourcefulness. Through its characters, the book revisits a bygone era when access to modern conveniences like electricity and piped water was non-existent, and village life instead revolved around deeply rooted customs. A central theme is the traditional practice of koudmen, a form of communal volunteerism where neighbors worked for one another for free, sharing a single pot of food and enjoying collective fellowship. Amidst this rich cultural tapestry, the narrative cleverly weaves the bittersweet relationship of characters Matthew and Makeba against the backdrop of a changing community.
Bannis’s inspiring personal journey adds profound weight to the publication, as she achieved extensive academic and professional heights despite never attending high school. Her early dedication to volunteerism paved the way for higher education, leading to degrees from Virginia Tech, the University of the West Indies, and Florida Metropolitan University. Over her distinguished career, she has served as a creative elementary teacher at the Castle Bruce Primary School, a community activist, the Director of the National Drug Prevention Unit, and a Senator under the Dominica Labour Party. Her lifelong contributions to national development were officially recognized in 2018 when she was awarded Dominica’s prestigious Meritorious Service Award.
A significant highlight of the evening occurred when Bannis presented a copy of her book to Senator Austelle Lockhart, who accepted it on behalf of the Castle Bruce Secondary School. This symbolic gesture underscored the book’s immense value as a localized educational resource for younger generations seeking to understand the everyday realities and folklore that shaped their ancestors. Now 70 years of age, Bannis expressed immense excitement about this new chapter of her life and eagerly looks forward to the reviews from readers of all ages as her book begins its journey into the public sphere.
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