Week Nine - 2 Months

Now reality has hit.  The children have started their first full week of school and the HOLIDAY is over.

10.01.17

After school we went to visit the Gombey Dancers and learn all about their history and why they became Bermuda's traditional dancers.  The dancers costumes are very colourful and the music is really upbeat.

The guest speaker was very informative and explained each member of the troupe.  She then explained how the costumes were put together and why the masks are worn.  The instruments that are played by the band and then the story behind the actual dances.

"Bermuda Gombey dance is a mixture of British, West African and indigenous new-world cultures. Gombey is quite similar to the dance traditions like Bahamian Goombay. It actually refers to a specific type of drums of African origin. Some also relate Gombay to a Bantu word standing for "rhythm".  

Gombey dance is also quite similar to Mummers that are a kind of seasonal folk play performed by troupes of actors during Afro-Caribbean styles of celebrations. During the Slavery period in Bermuda, Afro-Caribbeans who were slaves in the island introduced many Caribbean traditions that influenced Bermuda's version of Gombeys.

Today the snare drum generally used in pairs are part of the modern Bermudian Gombeys in addition to kettle drums and fife.  Usually male dancers perform Gombeys in groups of 10-30 in masquerade costumes with bright colours and odd angles.  The costume designs often reflect the plumage of tropical birds.  The energetic dance gradually picks up and grows faster with time and becomes a great spectacle.

While Gombey is now an integral part of folk art traditions of Bermuda, it was not accepted in the society in the earlier days the way it is today. After the slave revolt in 1761, there was in fact a legislature made in Bermuda banning Gombey. 

The authorities feared that some could easily hide their faces behind the colorful masks and commit crimes. Such restrictions continued until mid 1800s. However, over time people understood the depth and richness of the art and slowly started to accept it. Today Gombey performers represent the island and even perform overseas. 

In the island, the tradition of Gombey dance has been passed on through generations through personal coaching. The captain of each troupe decides the style of Gombey that the troupe would specialize in. Although all troupes look somewhat similar, if you watch carefully, you can see the subtle differences in beats, dances, costumes etc where they differentiate each other. Some of the elements to look for in a Gombey performance are cockfight, snake dance, freedom dance, fast & slow dance etc."

The Gombeys are fast, powerful, fun and full of energy.  The troupes can be from any age range and one of the youngest dancers that we watched was only 3!  I adore them and cannot wait to see them again!

11.01.17

To be able to make the school work each of the Mummy's have been asked to volunteer one day a week or even when ever they are needed.  So today (as I am now volunteering on Wednesday's) is my first day in school.

Patrick and Eleanor are loving that they have their Mum in school one day a week.  I'm secretly enjoying being with them too - it means that I am able to see how they work and how much they are progressing.

I think that this opportunity of just 5 in a class is going to be immense.  They will be totally exposed and will have to work really hard and I expect they will achieve great levels :-)

So this is the end of Week 9

lots of love The Wise Old Owls xxxx