Grenada CBI: Cultural Orientation - Shortknee

Dia Forrester

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November 1, 2025

Grenada Citizenship by Investment continues to evolve, and cultural orientation is expected to become a formal requirement for applicants. For those exploring Grenada - whether as visitors or prospective citizens - understanding Grenada culture through its living traditions, such as the Shortknee, helps appreciate the island’s identity and history.

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As cultural orientation becomes increasingly central to Grenada Citizenship by Investment, exploring the island’s traditions provides an authentic understanding of Grenada culture. Among these, the Shortknee stands out as a unique and powerful expression found only in Grenada.

Grenada is an island filled with vibrant colours from the lush green of its mountainous terrain to the turquoise blue of its pristine waters. Even the picturesque capital of St. George, with its array of painted pastel buildings and orange rooftops, displays the colour and character of this island. Likewise, Shortknee, one of Grenada's oldest and most striking traditions, is breathtakingly colourful just the same.

Grenada Culture: the Shortknee

While many Caribbean islands share the tradition of Carnival, the Shortknee is a claim only Grenada can make as it is only found in Grenada. Its origin is rooted, like much of Grenada’s culture, in a unique blending of French, British and African influences which evolved into something distinctly Grenadian. This fusion of cultures remains at the heart of Grenada culture and offers valuable insight for anyone seeking citizenship through the Grenada CBI programme.

Grenada Culture: What Does a Shortknee Look Like?

The Shortknee has a few distinct features that make him stand out. He is completely covered from head to toe and therefore, his true identity is unknown to those who see him. The Shortknee's head and neck are covered with a white cloth, usually a bath towel fixed in place under the chin, giving a hood-like appearance, while his face is hidden behind a handmade painted metal mask. He sports a colourful and vividly patterned loose-fitting undershirt with long baggy sleeves, and a coloured bib overtop cover with small round reflective mirrors. These mirrors are said to ward off evil spirits and the negative intentions of his enemies. His pants, which are also loose-fitting and colourful, fall just under the knees, alluding to the name “Shortknee”. Below the knees he wears stockings or tights and at his feet are white shoes with a string of bells tied around both ankles, chiming on each step taken by a Shortknee so that he is heard before he is seen. In his hand is a bottle of powder that he scatters as he passes, creating a smoke or cloud-like aura. This visually striking appearance makes the Shortknee one of the most unique and enduring symbols of Grenada culture.

Grenada Culture: A Shortknee’s Performance

The Shortknee performs as a masquerade band or group. They are not accompanied by music. This group of masqueraders traverses the island from village to village with the band leader singing a call or chant and his fellow Shortknee singing the response. Their songs are unique, telling stories of history, political and social commentary and even village gossip, showcasing the poetic and lyrical prowess of the artform which includes impromptu compositions. They dance and march in synchrony, at times crunched over with feet being flown straight forward, as they tell their stories through song surrounded by a white veil of powder.

Anyone can participate in this Shortknee mas - men, women and children alike - and it is common to see very young children playing alongside their parents. A group of Shortknee is truly a sight like no other, dancing in the streets and going from house to house leaving only a white cloud and the sound of distant bells in their wake. For those interested in Grenada Citizenship by Investment, experiencing the Shortknee first-hand is a vivid introduction to the island’s creativity, unity, and cultural resilience.

Final Thoughts

The Shortknee is a cultural treasure seen only in Grenada. Its vivid costumes, songs, and symbolic bells combine to form one of the most authentic expressions of Grenada culture. As Grenada CBI requirements expand to include cultural orientation, traditions like the Shortknee will help future citizens connect deeply with the heart of Grenada culture and appreciate the values that define the Spice Isle. Experiencing the Shortknee firsthand - its colours, chants, and sense of unity - allows future citizens under Grenada CBI to embrace the true rhythm of the Spice Isle and the values that define it

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Shortknee played?

‍ This traditional mas form is a usual feature of any cultural celebration in Grenada. The larger Shortknee bands are seen during the Spice Mas season.

2. How can I tell who is playing Shortknee?

‍ On a rare occasion, you may invite a Shortknee to remove his or her face mask to see the individual behind the masquerader.

3. Is cultural orientation a requirement under the Grenada CBI Programme?

‍ At present, Grenada has draft legislation, Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority Agreement Bill, 2025, which mandates that individuals who obtain citizenship via the CBI programme undertake cultural orientation. This Bill is scheduled to be debated and passed by the Parliament in Grenada in the last quarter of 2025.

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Co-author: Kaydissa Charles

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Dia Forrester

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Dia Forrester

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Originally inhabited by the Arawak and Carib peoples, the islands were colonised by the British in the 17th century. The cultural landscape is a blend of African, British, and indigenous influences. This rich history is reflected in local music, dance, and festivals, with calypso, reggae, and steelpan music being particularly popular. Cricket, a legacy of British rule, is the most popular sport, and sailing is also popular, reflecting the islands' strong maritime culture.

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Antigua and Barbuda have a stable democratic government based on the British parliamentary system. The country is generally regarded as having a manageable level of bureaucracy, with a reasonably straightforward process for interacting with government agencies. Retirees will find that essential services like renewing a driver’s licence, paying taxes, or obtaining necessary permits are relatively simple, although some processes can be slow due to limited resources. The government has been making strides in digitising services to reduce in-person visits and streamline processes.

Antigua and Barbuda is known for its lively events and festivals, particularly Carnival, one of the year's most anticipated events. Antigua Sailing Week is another major event, attracting sailors and spectators from around the world. These festivals are deeply rooted in the local culture and provide a vibrant social scene for retirees.

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Dominica’s government operates under a parliamentary democracy, with a legal system rooted in English common law. While the country’s bureaucracy is smaller and more accessible, some processes can be slow, particularly in rural areas. However, the government is generally cooperative and accommodating, particularly for expatriates. It’s advisable to have local assistance or a legal advisor to navigate more complex processes, such as property transactions or dealing with land registries.

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Grenada also follows a British-style parliamentary democracy. The country’s bureaucracy is relatively user-friendly, with many government processes being straightforward and accessible. Retirees generally find it easy to interact with government departments for routine tasks such as registering a vehicle, renewing licences, or paying taxes.

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The cultural heritage of Saint Kitts and Nevis is shaped by its history of indigenous Carib and Arawak inhabitants and European colonisation. Saint Kitts was the first Caribbean island to be colonised by the British, and Nevis has a rich history as a major sugar producer. The islands' cultural roots are a blend of African, British, and French influences, reflected in the local cuisine, music, and festivals. Cricket and football are deeply ingrained in the local culture and, along with sailing and hiking, are integral to the islands' cultural life.

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Saint Kitts and Nevis operates under a stable parliamentary democracy, with governance structures similar to those of other Commonwealth countries. The islands have a relatively low level of bureaucracy, and dealing with the government on a day-to-day basis is generally straightforward. Most routine administrative tasks, such as obtaining permits, paying taxes, or registering property, are manageable, although some processes can take longer than expected due to limited staffing. The government is trying to modernise its operations, including digitising more services, which should help reduce delays and improve overall efficiency.

The islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis host several vibrant festivals, including Carnival, the Saint Kitts Music Festival, and Culturama, which is unique to Nevis. These events celebrate local culture, music, and heritage, offering retirees plenty of opportunities to engage with the community and enjoy local traditions.

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Grenada CBI: Cultural Orientation - Shortknee

Grenada Culture: the Shortknee

Grenada Culture: What Does a Shortknee Look Like?

Grenada Culture: A Shortknee’s Performance

Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Shortknee played?

2. How can I tell who is playing Shortknee?

3. Is cultural orientation a requirement under the Grenada CBI Programme?

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