This year’s Malliouhana Poetry competition brought together a powerful mix of voices from across Anguilla inspired by the theme ‘Mi Mudda Say…’.
Held at the Anguilla Public Library on 7 May, the event showcased the talents of young and established voices who paid tribute to the island’s vibrant oral and literary traditions.
Through their words, participants in two categories – on the page and spoken word – captured the essence of motherly wisdom, connecting generations and honouring a cherished cultural legacy.
From humorous takes on island sayings to moving tributes to mothers and their advice, the poems were a reminder of how language carries culture.
Celebration of cultural identity
The competing poets participated in one of three age groups – juniors (eight to 12), teens (13 to 17), and adults (18 plus).
Each group brought its own unique perspective, voice and energy to the stage.
The audience, made up of fellow participants, parents, teachers, and community members, responded with warmth and enthusiasm.
The event also featured prayer, musical entertainment and speeches from members of the Malliouhana Poetry Committee as well as library, youth and culture minister Shellya Rogers-Webster.
Judges for the on the page competition were Rosena Brooks, Patricia Adams and Rita Celestine-Carty, while the spoken word judges were David Carty, Ingrid Fullington and Keith Greaves.
The winning poets were awarded trophies and prizes from contributors Cap Juluca, Malliouhana-Anico Insurance, ANGLEC, Malliouhana and others.
Poetry on the page results
Juniors
Winner: Gabriel Evangelista – The Word’s From My Mother’s Mouth
Second place: Cattleya Charles – My Mother Told Me
Third place: Abigail Sabatini – My Mother’s Storm
Honourable mention: Ezra Richardson – Wise Word of a Mother
Teens
Winner: Siena Wojack – My Kind Mother
Second place: Chaundra Patterson – Shaping Words, Shaping Worlds
Third place: Jaesean Harrigan – Echoes of her Voice
Honourable mention: Azarel Cupid – The Words of my Mother
Adults
Winner: Vanessa Croft – My Mother’s Fears
Second place: Cassilda Thomas-Carty – A Caged Bird’s Cry
Third place: Hyacinth Hughes – From a Child’s Perspective
Honourable mentions: Jonisha Johnson – Words of wisdom and Sharleen Gumbs – Lesson’s Learnt
Performance results
Children
Winner: Arudra Bharrat – Her Libra Superpower
Second place: Cattleya Charles – Me Mudda’s Words
Third place: Chaya Brooks – Wa I Say
Teens
Winner: Uniqua Romney – Voice of a Caribbean Queen
Second place: Harrison Thompson – Mother Say Mother Do
Third place: Azarel Cupid – She Says
Adults
Winner: Cassilda Thomas-Carty – A Resounding Voice
Second place: Nashaine Johnson – Dolly House
Third place: Alexis Ryan – Make Your Bed
Creativity and cultural contributions
Malliouhana Poetry is a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering literary and artistic expression while promoting an ethos of social, cultural and political awareness.
Through its programmes and initiatives, the organisation seeks to inspire creativity, celebrate cultural contributions and encourage critical engagement.
Malliouhana Poetry is supported by the Anguilla Library Service, the Department of Youth and Culture and the Department of Education.
Watch the competition in full below in a video from Lloyds Live:
