Educator, community advocate, and public servant Jacinta “Jess” Bannis made her debut as an author with the launch of her book, Of Islets, Folklore and Second Chances, on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Castle Bruce Regional Emergency Shelter. The event coincided with her Kweyol and African-themed 70th birthday celebration.
The occasion brought together family, friends, well-wishers and members of the community to celebrate a remarkable life of service while introducing a literary work inspired by the author’s childhood and the rich cultural heritage of Castle Bruce, on Dominica’s east coast.
Set in rural Dominica during the 1960s, Of Islets, Folklore and Second Chances offers readers a glimpse into a way of life shaped by community, tradition, faith and resourcefulness. Through its characters and storytelling, the book revisits a period when access to modern conveniences such as piped water and electricity was limited, and village life revolved around family relationships, church, education, celebrations, sports, folklore, and deeply rooted customs.
One of these was koudmen, where she recounts, “we worked for each other for free- just cooking a pot of food and enjoying being together.”
The narrative also explores the complexities of human relationships, including the bittersweet story of Matthew and Makeba, against the backdrop of a changing community.
For Bannis, the launch was an opportunity to preserve aspects of Dominica’s social and cultural history and share them with younger generations, many of whom may know little about the everyday realities, beliefs and traditions that shaped village life decades ago.
The publication also adds a new dimension to the life of a woman whose achievements extend well beyond the written word. Bannis’s journey is particularly noteworthy because she achieved significant educational and professional milestones despite not having attended high school. Her commitment to volunteerism and community service helped open doors, including an opportunity to pursue university education based on her long history of volunteerism and community service.
Throughout her career, she has served in education, community development and public service, taking on roles that have allowed her to contribute to the development of individuals and communities. She is remembered for her unconventional and creative approach to teaching, while a teacher at the Castle Bruce Primary School, using poetry, song and outdoor activities to engage students in learning.
An important moment during the launch was the presentation of a copy of the book to Senator Austelle Lockhart, who accepted it on behalf of Castle Bruce Secondary School. The gesture underscored the book’s potential value as a resource for students interested in the history, culture, and lived experiences of their community and her continued impact on education in Castle Bruce.
As Of Islets, Folklore and Second Chances begins its journey into the hands of readers, it stands as both a work of fiction and a tribute to the people, traditions and experiences that have helped shape Castle Bruce. It invites readers to reflect on how far communities have come, the stories that deserve to be remembered, and the second chances that can change the course of a life.
At the young age of seventy, she says she is “excited” about this new development and looks forward to the reviews from readers of all ages.
