The Quadrille Dancing Dolls

“The Quadrille” official dance and “Quelba” official music of the U.S. Virgin Islands

People in the Virgin Islands dance the, “Quadrille.” The Quadrille is a dance similar to a square dance. It was performed by the European farmers and then adopted by the African slaves and their descendants that were brought to the Virgin Islands. Presently, the residence in St. Croix dances the Quadrille on special occasions.  The Quadrille is also performed in St. Thomas Virgin Islands, as well as other Caribbean Islands. The Quadrille and Quelba music is very much a part of the culture and history of the US Virgin Islands.

The Quadrille of the Virgin Islands is usually danced to official music of the Virgin Islands, “Quelba” music which is played by local bands. The Virgin Islands band many years ago, used instruments made of things found at home. The band now use modern day equipment. A well known band in the US Virgin Islands is “Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights.” They have played in many Caribbean Islands, as well as many places around the world. Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights are also known for serenading the people in St. Croix by traveling through the island very early like 4:00 or 5:00 am at Christmas time. They are usually greeted by people in the street and given local food to eat. Here are some of their songs: Jingle Bells and Guavaberry

The dolls are not available at this time. However they demonstrate the attire worn by people who dance the Quadrille in the Virgin Islands.  Each island has a similar attire, but may be slightly different according to how the lady ties her head tie and the way they dress or attire is made. The Quadrille dance may also be different in the “calls” that are made and they way they dance.

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The dolls have different names. They are Chico and Chi-Chi. Here they are dancing the night away at the Quadrille Dance, together!		Chico is dressed in his madras long sleeve shirt which has real buttons and button hole. He wears a camaband and a long black pants with a pocket containing a handkerchief on the side of his pants for style.
These dolls are a collectors items. Their attire replicates the clothes worn by the ancestors of the people in the Virgin Islands. When they are together the dolls seem like they are elegantly dancing the Quadrille.		Chi-Chi wears the traditional madras head tie on her head. She has a madras scarf and dress. The lace lines her dresses’ neck and the sleeve of her dress. She has on a beautiful lace slip with matching lace panties.
You had a choice of St. Croix, St. Thomas, or St. John stitched onto the camaband.		You had a choice of St. Croix, St. Thomas, or St. John stitched on the apron. Photographs are copyright.