Pages fromy first book, MOKO JUMBIES The Dancing Spirits of Trinidad, a photographic essay of the stilt-walkers of Trinidad and Tobago 
Preface by Geoffrey Holder; Introduction by Earl Lovelace

Seventeen years ago, Glen “Dragon” de Souza founded the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. The school’s mission was to revive the almost forgotten West African tradition of the Moko Jumbie or “stilt walker,” and adopt it into the annual Carnival celebration. Not only would it restore a centuries-old tribal custom that had been squashed by colonialism and slavery, but also de Souza dreamed it would keep underprivileged children from street-life and drugs. Today, more than one hundred Moko Jumbies-boys and girls starting from the age of four years old-practice at the Keylemanjahro School. Internationally recognized photographer Stefan Falke spent seven years documenting these “dancing spirits” of Trinidad. With rare power, he captures the vivid costumes and haunting beauty of the Moko Jumbie dances in over 200 dazzling color photographs. Moko Jumbies: The Dancing Spirits of Trinidad celebrates the success of this spectacular movement that has not only enriched the lives of its participants and all the people who live and visit Trinidad, but also the enduring culture of the island itself.