Today is Joune ‘Chapo Pay’ Day in Dominica.
Members of the public are encouraged to wear their ‘Chapo Pay’ today.
“We know that it is the Creole festival Friday, and we just want to give people that Dominican culture experience,” Chief Cultural Officer Earlson Matthew said. “We are encouraging people to get their hats…”
He continued, “It is part of the Dominican experience and that is what we are encouraging…”
A chapo pay is a traditional handmade straw hat for men, women, and children, decorated with madras or other accessories. Joune Chapo Pay Day forms part of the 2025 Independence calendar of activities as Dominica celebrates its 47th anniversary of Independence under the theme: “47 Years of Progress and Purpose”.