By Daphne Ewing-Chow,Katherine Campbell

Copyright caymancompass

The Cayman Islands National Museum was the backdrop for the inaugural Roots & Remedies: Tradition & Wellness Market, which drew crowds eager to celebrate the link between heritage, healing and holistic living.

The three-hour market on 13 Sept. transformed Goring Avenue into a vibrant space of music, flavour and discovery. Visitors browsed stalls filled with bush medicine, artisanal crafts, organic foods, juices and plants while enjoying live demonstrations and cultural performances.

Music and movement added to the evening’s atmosphere. An interactive drum circle drew participants of all ages, sound therapy sessions encouraged stillness and reflection, and gentle chi-gong exercises gave the crowd a taste of mindful movement.

The event offered “a little bit of everything”, said Aerin Ewing-Chow, a visitor at the event – blending Cayman heritage with modern wellness practices in a way organisers say had never been done before locally. “This feels like Cayman past, present and future all in one evening.”

Wellness enthusiasts sampled bush teas, pressed juices and organic treats, browsed stalls of artisanal crafts and plants, and engaged in live demonstrations ranging from lactation cookie baking to natural pest control.

One vendor, Sparadise Mobile Spa, offered on-site massages. Other vendors included Willie’s Farm; Cayman Boba; Windy Vale Estates; Align Wellness Studio; and Sun Kyeong, among others. Even the Mosquito Research & Control Unit joined the line-up, sharing natural pest-control techniques.

Healing meets heritage

Each vendor showcased a unique vision of how wellness ties into Caymanian life, offering products and practices that reflected both tradition and innovation. The market also paid tribute to the islands’ cultural heritage, with its logo drawing inspiration from the Tea Banker – a critically endangered plant indigenous to Cayman.

For Dante Ramoon, whose new business Ital Cayman recently opened at Pasadora Place, the market was an opportunity to showcase cold-pressed juices and sea moss–based products. “We focus on natural healing and wellness,” he said.

Lizzie Powel of West Bay displayed handcrafted silver thatch handbags made with palm fibres, using the same techniques passed down for generations.

“From the time I was going to school and now I’m 88 years,” she said. “I’ve been using silver thatch – it’s relaxing, and it’s important to keep the culture going.” Each bag takes Powel a week to create, using only a needle and palm thread.

Other participants said personal traditions and creativity tie into wellness.

“Plants and art have always been my therapy,” said Blair Ebanks of Plant Based Studio. Ebanks described how she presses florals into acrylic maps, creating one-of-a-kind works that bridge nature and artistry.

Also inspired by plants, Katherine’s Succulents, run by Katherine Campbell, offered shadow boxes and plants for sale. “Plants are wonderful to have in your life,” she said. “Every plant has a purpose.”

Avril Ward of the Light Room shared her passion for holistic self-help and drug-free healing, noting that the theme of the event aligned with her philosophy that the body can heal itself.

The market featured a culinary showcase by freelance chef Mayjorie Bague, who treated guests to cashew nut–wrapped steamed rice cakes, graham rice balls infused with moringa, a refreshing lemongrass and mint juice, and a vibrant pink blend made with sweet potato leaves, lemon and honey.

Bague also hosted an interactive session where she showed attendees how to make her lactation cookies, designed for expectant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as her signature pink juice.

“Participating in community events like this brings me great joy,” said Bague, who hails from the Philippines. “It’s especially meaningful to share knowledge across cultures and connect with people from so many different backgrounds here in Cayman.”

Supported by Green2Go and the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, the inaugural event marked what organisers hope will become an annual tradition.