Having discovered that readers of this blog have hailed not only from Barbados, but Poland, Ukraine, Germany, The United Kingdom, France, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Ireland, Venezuela as well as the United States, I'm going to focus on Bajan talent - music, arts and craft, success and survival stories - instead of my original intent, which was to share my random thoughts, musings...and the occasional rant. You will not find the salacious here, but perhaps some inspiration.
This means that nearly half of this blog's readers know little of Barbados' culture. So, to put some of our traditions into context, I'll give a little history.
Of course, we're a tropical island - so it doesn't snow. It's the music that makes the season for me.
Food and merriment are hallmarks of the Bajan Christmas. Baked ham is a favourite dish in many homes. During slavery (and remember slaves were chattel, that is property), Massa gave the slaves a Christmas holiday. He and his family celebrated in the European tradition. The slaves were given extra rations of meat, extra flour/meal (or whatever the carbohydrate of the day was), extra rum and they were allowed to party, so they danced and the drums beat well into the night. So there are lots of parties and family gatherings at Christmas.
Then, during the colonial era, people were so poor, they could only afford new socks and ribbons for the children, a new suit for the males and a new dress for the females at Christmas. They went to Church and then they went to Queen's Park in the city of Bridgetown for the Exhibition with its displays of livestock, a merry-go-round for children and sweetmeats to snack on. So Christmas was a day to look forward to. Today, people still shop for that new outfit and matching accessories. Churchgoers wear their new outfit to the 5:00 a.m. services, some also go to The Park (Queen's Park) where the Exhibition has given way to a free performance by the internationally-acclaimed Royal Barbados Police Force Band and a few accomplished vocalists rendering seasonal favourites.
Let's listen to the Mustard Seed Kids featuring the Queen of Soca, Alison Hinds, as they tell us about what happens at Christmas in Barbados (set to the tune of a very popular Crop Over song "Something's Happ'ning"). You'll hear about the ham, the shopping and the real reason for the season...the birth of Jesus.
"Christmas Happ'ning" (Credit: Russell Watson - 2012)
There is so much talent in Barbados per square mile. Here's another of our excellent vocalists with one of my seasonal local faves - Kimberley Inniss, with "It's Christmas Fa La La La La". Not sure if there's an official video of this one. But enjoy nonetheless. Her look may not be as marketable as a Rihanna or Shontelle but she has a very fine voice.
Finally, I'll sign off with this one by Pastor John featuring Bevil Joseph, which I find totally infectious. Why don't you hug somebody and wish them "Merry Christmas"? 😉
Merry Christmas from Barbados where we don't have snow but "plenty sunshine and de beach!" 😀
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