And the
beat goes on..
As beloved as the Gombeys are to Bermudian culture today, there was a time when their popularity was less than favourable. It is believed that their dances mocked the white dominated system of slavery that was prevalent in Bermuda during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Slave owners felt threatened by the decorative Gombey, masked to conceal his identity and in 1761 fear of disorder and revolt caused an attempt to ban Gombey dancing.
Years later in 1837 the Bermuda Gazette appealed for the practise to be outlawed, publishing a story describing the Gombey as a “savage and nonsensical exhibition”, criticising them as “a thing not suited to a civilised Community”. Nonetheless, all attempts to extinguish the Gombey proved futile and the tradition of Gombey dancing has evolved over time from a simple expression of hope to a cultural phenomenon.
Over the last century the reception of the Gombeys has greatly increased, representing a shift in both social and political consciousness. Today Bermuda enjoys several Gombey troupes – The Warwick Gombeys, Places New Generation Gombeys, H&H Gombeys, K&K Gombeys, Gombey Warriors, Richardson Gombeys and Warner Gombeys – just to name a few. They are the featured performance at every celebration and no Christmas or New Year’s holiday is complete without them. One of our most precious treasurers, Bermudians take pride in preserving the tradition of the Gombey.
In 2001 Bermuda was invited to participate in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. As a part of its Bermuda Connections a delegation of Gombeys were sent as an exhibition of our living cultural heritage. Also a Gombey Festival is held annually, to provide continued exposure on the Gombey, its history and cultural tradition.
Once marginalised by the status quo the Bermuda Gombey now holds a place of distinction as an icon of Bermudian folklife.
They are colourful, lively and rhythmic – the essence of an entertainer. It may have taken a century or two for them to be fully embraced but they are, and always have been, the perfect combination of culture, entertainment and pride.
This year’s annual Gombey Festival, hosted by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, will be held on Saturday September 12th at 5:30pm at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium.
Mark your calendars now because it promises to be a wonderful family event!
For more information contact the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs at 441-292-1681 or visit their website, www.communityandculture.bm.