Cheshire Hall Plantation: The Spirit of Resilience and Survival

How does it come about that a place of slavery can be regarded in a constructive and practical manner? How do the people of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands find the positives at a local site where people were enslaved?

The site is Cheshire Hall, a 200-year old cotton plantation, located off Leeward Highway in Providenciales. Built by American Loyalist Thomas Stubbs in the late 1700’s, Cheshire Hall comprises a large manor house, several outbuildings, and slave quarters. At its height the plantation was around 5000 acres in size and employed some 384 slaves to complete all the intensive manual labor. Depleted soil and a massive hurricane in 1813 was the death knell on the cotton business. Loyalists departed the islands leaving hundreds of slaves behind to fend for themselves.

It was customary for slaves to take the name of their owners. It is here we find the link between Cheshire Hall and modern day Providenciales. There are still many residents with the name Stubbs and many first-born sons named Thomas. These are the descendants of the very slaves who sweated in the hot sun out in the fields of Cheshire Hall and when abandoned by their owners managed to survive and make a life for themselves. These are the families who are inspired by the perseverance, courage and strength of their predecessors.

Today the Turks and Caicos National Trust has given the site heritage status with the intention of preserving it and confirming its historic importance. Public tours, interpretative signage, and displays in the National Museum all serve to educate people about the history. While slavery is in the distant past, it is critical to remember it took place and to recognize the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Each year, the first Monday in August is commemorated as Emancipation Day on Providenciales.

“This special time is celebrating the strength of our people,” says Ethlyn Gibbs-Williams of the National Trust. “Having come through a tough era of the slave trade and slavery, it is so important impart to people, especially the Turks & Caicos Islanders, where we have come from and to understand who we are as a people”.

Cheshire Hall plays a vital role in this education. On display at the National Museum there are records of the names of the slaves, journals detailing their lives, documentation of the Emancipation Act and artifacts all taken from Cheshire Hall.

Slavery was abolished long ago. The Cheshire Hall historic site provides an opportunity to understand and celebrate the strength of the human spirit which is part of the very fabric of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Sapodilla Bay: History of the Islands Inscribed In Limestone

I was here.
They were here.

And they left their signatures behind on the rocks.

Carved into the limestone rocks at Sapodilla Bay, on the eastern side of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Island, are inscriptions and pictures. But this is no modern spray painted graffiti my friend; these are hand chiseled signatures that date back to the 1700’s. Taken together the names read like a directory for the early pioneers of the Turks and Caicos Islands. One of them is W.R. Inglis, 1854 who was the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1854. There’s the name Oliver Mungen, 1869. Mungen was the United States Consul to the Turks and Caicos Islands from 1868-69. One rocks is inscribed with the name D.A. Harriott, 1844. The Harriott family were three generations of salt proprietors in Salt Cay which is north of Grand Turk Island. Their home the White House built in 1825 still stands today and is owned by Michael Dunn, a descendent of Rosalie Harriott.

Some signers on these rocks left no date, only a name. Some proudly displayed a picture of the ship they commanded or served. Others marked a symbol such as the British Broad Arrow to confirm property rights. Some wanted others to know their affiliation such as one who wrote the initials “T.P” with the Freemasons symbol beside them.

But these remarkably inscribed rocks have been the victims of vandalism over the years. The rocks have been covered with graffiti, destroyed or stolen. The Turks and Caicos National Museum has stepped in to preserve this important historical site. A project has been underway to photograph and make casts of many of the inscriptions as permanent records and for research. Some of the casts are on display in the Providenciales International Airport. And interpretative signs have been installed on the hill to explain the inscriptions and pictures as well as to educate visitors about park etiquette. This is all with a goal to maintaining the historical value of the site.

Sapodilla Bay is a secluded quiet beach, but the rocks on it tell the history. The signatures on them are a legacy.

Don’t forget me.
I was here.

The History of Churches in the Turks & Caicos Islands

The Catholic Church “Our Lady of Divine Providence” on Providenciales is a brand new building, but its origins reach far into the past.

The old church structure was replaced in 2011. The new church is designed by an Italian. Interestingly enough, the very name of the church, which goes back hundreds of years, can be traced to another creator, also Italian. View construction pictures.

Located on the island of Providenciales, (spanish for “providential” or divine providence) the church is striking in its appearance with a sweeping roofline from which a steeple rises at one point. There is a pyramid shaped skylight with a golden cross atop it. It allows sunlight into the interior and onto a beautiful central marble altar. View pictures from Phase 1.

The new building is a modern design with modern conveniences like air conditioning. Gone are the days when visitors sat sweltering in the Caribbean heat.

“You used to sit on folding chairs in a building that had slatted walls to the outdoors with no A/C,” said one visitor.

The church interior is white with columns and trim in caramel shades almost mimicking the look of palm trees. There is lovely natural light coming in from windows and the roof skylight. The space is clean, open and inviting.

The church’s name “Our Lady of Divine Providence” refers to the Mater Divinae Providentiae, a painting done by Scipione Pulzone in the 1600’s. Pulzone, from Gaeta, Italy, depicts the Mother Mary cradling the baby Jesus while the Holy Child holds its Mother’s hand. This is a symbol of Mary’s power and place in the Catholic faith. Through Mary, people could bring their pleas for help, deliverance and consolation.

The words “our lady of divine providence” then are not unique in the Roman Catholic world. You can find many churches with this name, as the words are central to the basic beliefs. But this church on Providenciales is unique with its modern architecture and its very location in the Caribbean.

But what visitors seem to notice is not just the physical building but the atmosphere of the services held here.

“This church,” remarked one visitor, “has the most reverent and beautiful service. The music is fantastic and the priest is very uplifting.”

The church building is beautiful indeed, but its pastor is just as special. Reverend Monsignor Peter Baldacchino, received the title Reverend Monsignor from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. This title is usually given to a priest who has done outstanding work.

Our Lady of Divine Providence is a church with a deep history and now with a spacious, modern structure will continue to serve the Providenciales community long into the future.

Address

Our Lady of Divine Providence
Leeward Highway
Turks and Caicos Islands
+1 649-941-5136

Mass Schedule

Saturday 5:30pm (English)
Sunday 9:00am (English)
10:30am (Creole)
12:30pm (Espanol)

Weekdays (except Weds.) 5:30pm (English)

For more information visit: Our Lady of Divine Providence Church

For more information visit:

http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/yq/yq74.html”

http://patroncatholicsaints.blogspot.ca/2010/08/our-lady-of-divine-providence.html

http://www.oldp.catholic.tc/

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g147399-d4604577-r192014814-Our_Lady_of_Divine_Providence-Providenciales_Turks_and_Caicos.html#REVIEWS

Grethe Seim Message In A Bottle Collection, Turks & Caicos National Museum

It’s one thing to write a message, put it into a bottle and drop in the water.

It’s another thing to find a bottle with a message in it.

Imagine. You’re walking along a gorgeous Caribbean beach. Wait a minute, what’s that half-buried in the sand up ahead? You investigate a little closer. It’s an old bottle. You brush off the sand and hold it up against the sunlight. Your pulse starts to race when you see a scrap of paper with writing on it.

This is the daydream of every beachcomber. Can you imagine how excited you’d be to find a message in a bottle? Well Grethe Seim has 100 of these treasures in a special collection at the Turks and Caicos National Museum.

Seim, founder of the Turks and Caicos National Museum, located on Grand Turk came across a small bottle on the beach one day. Inside it was a piece of paper with a message on it. Her interest was instantly sparked. Over the years friends brought her message bottles, and her collection grew significantly. Seim passed away in 2000, but her special message bottles are on display in the Grethe Seim Message In a Bottle Collection at the National Museum.

Tucking a message into a bottle is not a new idea. Ancient mariners in wartime sent messages out to verify enemy positions. Guinness Book of World Records lists a bottle found in 2012 that contained a message written by a ship captain in 1914. It had traveled 9.38 nautical miles before being picked up by its finder.

And bottles with messages inside them have certainly been turning up on Grand Turks. There are 100 or so of them on display at the museum. Tourists are intrigued with this unique collection.

“The small museum at Grand Turk has the largest collection of “messages in a bottle” in the world! Says a lot about those waters!” remarked one visitor.

What is it about this phenomenon that intrigues us? Is it the message itself or is it the mode of communication? Both would be true.

In 2007 Jackie Mulligan, a BBC journalist, came across a bottle on the beach of Grand Turk.

“I saw a bottle dusted with sand,” Mulligan said, “As I wiped the beach debris away – I saw a message curled inside a bright green tequila bottle…It was an exciting moment.”

For Grethe Seim, the act of one person sending a message via a bottle over the seas and another person finding that bottle was only part of the communication circle. Seim enthusiastically took it one step further. She responded to the messages. Each response would be based on what had been communicated in the letter and whether or not there was a return address given.

One letter in the museum collection is a wonderful example. Jim Lewis, a passenger on the cruise boat Mardi Grad, wrote a note, put it in a bottle and dropped it overboard in waters off Miami Florida. Seim found it on the east beach at Grand Turk on January 24, 1978. As the letter was dated December 27, 1978, Seim replied about her discovery, questioned the date and described details about the letter’s condition. Her initial reply prompted correspondence over many years.

Grethe Seim was really onto something remarkable. Harold Hackett, a former fisherman from Prince Edward Island, understands Grethe Seim’s fascination. Hackett is called the “Message in A Bottle Man”. He has sent out over 5000 messages in bottles and he’s received almost as many replies.

Grethe Seim certainly enjoyed sending messages and retrieving them. She passed away in 2000, but her fascination with history and human communication did not come to a halt. The National Museum continues to preserve Seim’s collection for the world to see. The Museum also encourages the public to not only enjoy but actively add to the collection. Those who find a bottle with a message in it are asked to bring it into the museum. It is key to researching the origin of how and why these items have travelled to the islands and provides a way to connect with other parts of the world and share about the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Beachcombing on Grand Turk might bring a bottle to brag about and a tale to transport you.

If you go…

Turks & Caicos National Museum
Guinep House
Front Street
Grand Turk
Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)

Uninhabited Fort George Cay is a Perfect Day Trip

This cannon inspired fear and respect. At nine feet long it could hurl a cannonball over 3000 metres making it the last word in devastating firepower. Made of solid cast iron, it was built to last.

This cannon, however, and six others like it, serve now as a captivating undersea attraction for avid snorkelers or a hiding place for local fish.

And it just might be the most unique snorkeling exploration you will find in the Turks and Caicos Islands!

Situated between Pine Cay and Dellis Cay in the Turks and Caicos Island is a tiny island called Fort St George’s Cay (also called Fort George Cay). It’s a small land mass and can only be accessed by boat, but it is home to some fascinating historical finds. Fort George Cay was originally the site of a British garrison dating back to the late 1790’s. It was constructed by Loyalists and then taken over by the British crown. Adjacent to fresh water, the site became an ideal trading port which was protected from privateer, pirate or any other invading party by the guns of the nearby fort. Today, due to years of coastline erosion, much of the original fortification has slipped into the sea. Seven mighty cannons originally mounted on the fortress walls are now 150 feet offshore in several feet of water.

Though camouflaged by marine growth, these guns are clearly identifiable as cannons when you look into the water. They form a sort of arc arrangement all pointing out to sea as if still relentlessly on guard despite the passage of time. The sight of these 18th century iron beasts is remarkable as are the pieces of the past which keep turning up on the cay.

Will Allen, a photographer and volunteer on a recent Fort George archaeological expedition commented, “The experiences I had on this trip will stay with me for a lifetime. We have since found a multitude of cannon balls, shot, buttons and many more objects that give us a glimpse into the past of what life may have been like on the island.”¹

So how do you get to Fort George Cay? If you’re coming from Providenciales, you can travel by boat with one of the charter businesses such as Eden Yacht Charters, Catch the Wave or Caicos Dream Tours. Another option is the eco-adventure company Big Blue Unlimited.

If you’re interested in the history of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Fort George Cay promises an extraordinary place to explore and examine. If you’re just looking for a beautiful private place to hike, beachcomb or enjoy a leisurely picnic, Fort George is perfect.

Fort George Cay is uninhabited; often you arrive and find yourself completely alone on a spectacular beach. You can laze away on the golden sands or paddle or snorkel in the pristine water. You might even come across a piece of the past like one visitor who discovered a shiny object in the sand which turned out to be an 18th century silver coin.

Tucked away from the world, Fort George Cay offers a view to the past. Its cannons might be silent, its walls and platforms may be submerged, but it continues to offer up artifacts for the lucky passerby and spectacular beauty to embrace any visitor.

Virtual Trip to Fort George Cay

In this video, Catch the Wave Charters takes us on a short trip to Fort George Cay.

Bet you’ll be humming that catchy tune long after you watch this 2-minute video!

To Visit Fort George Cay

If you are interested in visiting For George Cay and snorkeling among the submerged cannons, please speak the Lerone and Kerone Reid, beach service concierge at Villa del Mar. They can help you plan your trip and give you tips to make your day even more enjoyable.

More Reading

ftstgeorgeexpedition.blogspot.ca/

Preserving the Islands’ Rich Cultural Heritage Through Music

Old Conch is sweeter than the fresh conch.
Mashed potatoes, peas and cheese.

You might think you’re reading a menu or the opening paragraph of a restaurant review. The words are actually lyrics from songs sung by 64 year old Lovey Forbes who has made a life and career out of keeping alive the music and culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Sharing the folk songs of yesterday and writing music about what’s happening in the community today is vital to preserving the islands’ rich cultural heritage. A couple of islanders are doing just that.

Lovey Forbes

One island musician committed to sustaining traditional music is Lovey Forbes, a talented musician and recording artist who sings and plays a variety of instruments. Born Lovey L. Mozomdee Forbes on North Caicos, he was introduced to music at age 3 when his father bought him a harmonica. Forbes performed many years in the Bahamas writing songs about the islands and played with various bands including Cooling Waters, Smokey 007, The Exciters, and Revolution of the Mind. It was an exciting time of performing, developing as an artist and recording, but he eventually longed for home.

In an archived article written by Forbes, he explains that he “left the Bahamas in 1976 and came home to help root up, and establish our roots and culture, of the Turks and Caicos Islands.” He writes that since his return, he has “been busy training Turks and Caicos Islanders to play musical instruments and to perform with them.”

In the early 1980’s Forbes, inspired by other international genres such as jazz, calypso and reggae, transformed the traditional sounds of ripsaw (music created with steel handsaws that are scraped and bent) and pioneered a new style called “Combina”. Since then he has been actively involved in promoting ripsaw music by organizing various jamborees and festivals and encouraging new bands.

Where to See Lovey Forbes

Currently, he performs on North Caicos from November to April at Ms B’s Restaurant on Kings Road or every other Saturday at The Barracuda Bar & Grill. He often plays with “The Whitby Trio Band” along with his son Correy Forbes on keyboard and Herby Swann on guitar. As well, he sometimes plays at the Cabana Bar located at Ocean Club on Providenciales.

David Bowen

Another person integral to preserving the music of the Turks and Caicos Islands is David Bowen who served as the TCI Cultural Ambassador for 15 years. Bowen studied dance and theatre with the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance and is an accomplished bass player. He founded the band Bowen Arrow, a group that plays a mix of classic rock, blues, funk and R&B.

Bowen has worked tirelessly to re-discover, identify and encourage national culture. A key part of that identity is music. Bowen has spent hours researching and recording historical details and talking with music pioneers. He has spearheaded festivals and numerous special events that celebrate island history and traditions.

In addition, Bowen visits schools and has coordinated youth performances all with the goal of educating young people and connecting them with their cultural roots.

In an interview with Rebecca Bird of the Turks and Caicos Weekly News Bowen states, “I also love the fact that they (youth) see the value of our cultural traditions and have a better appreciation of their parents and grandparents.”

Where to See David Bowen

Bowen thoroughly enjoys sharing the music of the Turks and Caicos by performing it to new audiences. If you’re travelling to the islands, you can see him at the TCI Cultural Centre at Turtle Cove where he shares an insider’s look at the islands through storytelling and music. If you book a tour with Concha Woncha Tours, the Cultural Center is a featured stop. You can also watch Bowen perform with Bowen Arrow on Friday nights at Somewhere Cafe & Lounge in Grace Bay.

Sustaining the music and culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands is happening because of the efforts of passionate artists and mentors like Lovey Forbes and David Bowen. Just like the island cuisine, music is rooted in the past. Whether you serve up the mashed potatoes and peas on a plate or in a musical signature, it’s an integral piece of island history to be celebrated.

About Villa del Mar

A charming complex located across the street from Grace Bay Beach, Villa del Mar offers fully equipped condo units featuring full kitchens, spacious bedrooms and high-end furnishings within 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and penthouse suites. The oversized studio units offer kitchenettes. All units offer poolside walkout or large balcony seating areas overlooking manicured gardens and 2 pools. Complimentary breakfast and premier beach services are offered at Villa del Mar, with staff providing personalized, friendly service.

Villa del Mar Resort is offering a promotion from May 1 to December 1, 2016 that gives guests the opportunity to book their fourth night at no charge. The promotion means a significant rate saving, but when added to the already remarkable value of this accommodation, equals an opportunity any traveller will want to take advantage of in 2016. This Turks and Caicos hotel special is cumulative meaning that guests who book 6 nights at the resort receive a total of 8 nights accommodation. And so on…

Learn More

(Culture: Ripsaw Local History 2013) retrieved from:
http://rtc107fm.com/culture/ripsaw/16-local/history-a-culture.html

(IUMA: Lovey Forbes n.d.) retrieved from:
https://archive.org/details/iuma-lovey_forbes

(Lovey Forbes n.d.) retrieved from:
https://www.facebook.com/lovey.forbes?fref=ts

(Lovey ‘L Mozomdee’ Forbes – Spirited Island Musician n.d.) retrieved from:
http://tciislandguide.com/lovey-l-mozomdee-forbes-spirited-island-musician/

(Music of the Turks and Caicos Islands n.d.) retrieved from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Turks_and_Caicos_Islands

(Rediscovering the Hidden Culture, Folk Songs 2002) retrieved from:
http://www.timespub.tc/2002/06/rediscovering-the-hidden-culture-folk-songs/

(Rediscovering the Hidden Culture 2002) retrieved from:
http://www.timespub.tc/2002/04/rediscovering-the-hidden-culture/

Joe Zahm and Leo Jones’ Song a Hit for the Spririt of the Islands

It was a song in the early 1990’s that became a national smash hit.
Today the song is just as beloved but the voices have changed.

“Beautiful by Nature” was written and recorded on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1994, but it’s being re-introduced through the voices of children in an internet video that has the potential to reach a much bigger audience.

When video director Donna Davies heard the voices of children in the original recording she thought it would be a great idea to have children sing the song. “Beautiful by Nature” was released in March 2015 as a promotional video on YouTube featuring the choir of Clement Howell High School on Providenciales.

Students not only had the opportunity to develop their musical performing abilities but they also had a chance to promote their country and celebrate national pride.

Watch the Children Perform

Jermaine Reid, a music teacher who was interviewed for the video below and who was involved in the project quickly saw his students’ commitment in the way they gave “their best not only for their school but for their country as well.”

A Song From Everyman for Everyone

The song is a celebration of the islands; it was written by Joe Zahm and Leo Jones. Zahm had moved from Colorado in 1989 to the islands. He heard Jones perform one evening and was so taken with what he heard he decided to share some lyrics he’d written with Jones.

Jones and other musicians came up with the music. This would be the start of a lengthy collaboration and a band called Everyman. Successful record sales and performances followed but eventually the project came to a close and band members went their separate ways. The song maybe hadn’t become a global sensation, but it was still played and held in high regard throughout the islands.

Listen to Beautiful by Nature in its entirety:

Sometimes though projects get a second launch, and in 2014, a special anniversary double CD of Everyman was released. The song “Beautiful by Nature” was featured among the tracks. Subsequently, a concert was held on March 27 and 28 of 2015 re-uniting Leo Jones, the original lead singer and writer of “Beautiful by Nature”, and Joe Zahm, the producer of the song and the leader of the Joe Zahm Band.

A song that has meant so much to islanders has been given the chance to win hearts again, only this time, to listeners around the world.

Twenty years ago a song was born in the Turks and Caicos Islands and ignited the flame of national pride. Today the words of the song still ring out as a motto that captures the essence of the islands and invite you to come visit and see the beauty of nature for yourself.

About Villa del Mar

A charming resort located across the street from Grace Bay Beach, Villa del Mar offers fully equipped suites featuring full kitchens, spacious bedrooms and high-end furnishings within 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and penthouse suites. The oversized studio units offer kitchenettes. All units offer poolside walkout or large balcony seating areas overlooking manicured gardens and 2 pools. Complimentary breakfast and premier beach services are offered at Villa del Mar, with staff providing personalized, friendly service.

Villa del Mar Resort is offering a promotion from May 1 to December 1, 2016 that gives guests the opportunity to book their fourth night at no charge. The promotion means a significant rate saving, but when added to the already remarkable value of this accommodation, equals an opportunity any traveller will want to take advantage of in 2016. This Turks and Caicos hotel special is cumulative meaning that guests who book 6 nights at the resort receive a total of 8 nights accommodation. And so on…

Learn More

http://www.timespub.tc/2014/03/rock-and-roll-refugess/
http://www.joezahm.com/

2016 Commemorates 50^th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Tour

She has been portrayed on numerous stamps of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

She inspired the islands’ annual sailing regatta and festival that has endured for 50 years.

And she is even the reason one couple flew thousands of miles from their home to visit this part of the Caribbean.

50^th Anniversary

2016 marks the 50^th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands. On February 25, 1966 the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, travelled to Grand Turk and then South Caicos Island. The islands have been a British crown colony since 1962, and the British influence has always been very strong.

But the Queen’s personal visit in 1966 left a very significant mark on the island culture and island life. You can’t go far without seeing her influence. There’s Queen Street and Royal Jewels Duty Free Shopping. Even the national law enforcement body is called the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force.

Annual Celebrations

Queen Elizabeth arrived in 1966 aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Her visit was celebrated with much pomp and even included a donkey race with 9 jockeys. Subsequently the people of South Caicos decided to commemorate her visit by hosting an annual regatta.

The South Caicos Regatta, also known as the Big South Regatta has been held every May since then and features big yacht and speed boat races, beauty pageants, float parades, maypole dancing and donkey races. This annual celebration of Her Majesty’s visit to Turks and Caicos Islands attracts participants from all over the world.

A National Holiday

While the Queen’s actual birth date is in April, in the Turks & Caicos Islands her birthday is celebrated as a national holiday on the Monday after the second Saturday in June. This year it will be celebrated on June 13^th. The day’s events include extensive parades featuring police and government officials, firefighters, and youth representing girl guides, boy scouts, and local schools. The Governor usually presides over the festivities, and the event draws large enthusiastic crowds.

Commemorating Her Highness

As well as being the sovereign and head of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Queen Elizabeth has also ruled the island’s postage stamps. She was first featured in 1955, and after her visit in 1966, was depicted abundantly commemorating the anniversaries of her birthday, wedding, coronation and visit to the islands. There have also been stamps honoring her children’s weddings and her mother’s birthday. The Queen’s image is also the prominent feature on coins. There have been many issues honouring her birthday, wedding, coronation as well as some marking events in lives of her children such as the investiture of her son Prince Charles.

A Historical Tour

It has been 50 years since Queen Elizabeth visited the Turks and Caicos islands. If you are interested touring South Caicos, you can take a 75 minute ferry ride aboard TCI Ferry. The twice weekly sailings leave Provo on Fridays and Sundays at 1:30pm from Heaving Down Rock Walkin Marina. The 18th century Commissioner’s House where Her Majesty stayed and the East Harbour where the Royal Yacht Brittania moored are still there.

The history, beauty and serenity of South Caicos are timeless. No matter how far you are from your claim to the throne, you’ll be treated royally with a travel experience that is memorable.

More Information

tcmuseum.org

www.footprinttravelguides.com

magneticmediatv.com

Artisan Craft Shops on Providenciales Offer Unique Creations

If you were an early settler in the Turks and Caicos Islands coping with the constant heat of the afternoon sun, you’d be looking for a way to protect your face and keep you cool. You couldn’t stop the sun from shining, but you and your neighbours discovered that a hat woven from local plants could provide comfort and protection. While those pioneer days are long gone, the Turks and Caicos sun still shines, the temperatures are still warm and, fortunately for visitors, that lovingly handcrafted woven hat is still available.

Learning & Preserving Artisanal Talent

Artisan crafts are alive and well in the islands due to islanders who take pride in applying the specialized skills they’ve learned and teaching others in this traditional artistry. Preserving artisan work is also possible because of the non-profit organization called Middle Caicos Co-Op. The co-op began in 1998 with six straw and basket artists who wanted to preserve island culture, safeguard heritage, generate income for Caicos elders, and work toward a sustainable economy. Today there are over 40 artisans and numerous sales outlets throughout the islands which sell the artisans’ wares. The co-op works tirelessly to sort, tag, deliver, distribute, and market the handcrafts and also ensure artisans are paid upon delivery of their work.

The creations made represent significant time commitment, remarkable dexterity, and methods passed down through many generations. For example, some processes used to fabricate baskets date back to the early island pioneers from Africa. Fanner grass and palm fronds are picked, cleaned and woven into beautiful hats, bowls, table runners, coasters, trays and baskets. The fronds are split and plaited, a process akin to braiding, where the palm fibers are twisted. They are used like thread over the fanner grass and interwoven between the grass threads to create elaborate patterns. Each product is a labour of love and reflects a high element of expertise.

To get a sense of the skill, dexterity and time required to preserve this art watch the video, Straw Weaving is Alive in Turks & Cacios Islands:

Buy Local Goods on Providenciales

If you’re visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands, you can find these unique creations at numerous outlets. Retail locations on Providenciales included Big Blue Unlimited, the departure lounge at the Provo Air Center and the Department of Culture at Turtle Cove. Also now open on Providenciales is a Wholesale Depot at The Market Place open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Local Craft Shopping on Middle Caicos and Grand Turk

On Middle Caicos, visit the Middle Caicos Co-Op Studio and the Conch Bar Artisan Studio.

On Grand Turk you’ll find items at the Turks and Caicos National Museum located on Front Street. Each item bears a special tag depicting a silhouette of a side profile of woman with a headwrap and the words “Handmade Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Every day the artisans of the Turks and Caicos Islands are busy creating beautiful pieces that represent culture and history. When you purchase one of these unique handmade items, you can feel good knowing the money is going towards supporting and preserving these traditional island arts.

Visitors Learn About Song, Dance, Community and Turks & Caicos Culture

In “Thunderball” Sean Connery fights his way through a crowd of Junkanoo revellers and Pierce Brosnan, chased by Woody Harrelson, is surrounded by colourful Junkanoo performers in the movie “After the Sunset”. While you might not be seen yourself on the big screen, you’ll still get the opportunity to learn all there is to know about being a Junkanoo performer at the Turks and Caicos Junkanoo Museum which is now open to the public.

What is Junkanoo?

Celebrated since the 16th century, Junkanoo is a festival of song, dance and community. Only open since December, the Junkanoo Museum on Old Airport Road promotes and celebrates this special part of Turks and Caicos culture by providing an experience for visitors that is unlike any other. Junkanoo is thought to date back to the time when slaves were allowed time off at Christmas and New Year’s to celebrate with their families. They would wear colourful clothing using strips of cloth and fringed paper, paint their faces or wear elaborate masks, and would create simple songs and dances to mark festivities. Today these traditions continue but the costumes are more elaborate and the music and dance performances very polished and impressive.

At the Thursday Fish Fry event at Bight Children’s Park, visitors can experience live musical performances including junkanoo, as they sample delicious food and drink.

About the Junkanoo Museum on Providenciales

The Junkanoo Museum is coordinated by Kitchener Penn, a well known islander who is head of the We Funk Junkanoo Band. Penn was hired to put on the first junkanoo festival in the Turks and Caicos in the 1980’s and what he brought to the island was a Bahamian-style festival, based on his own roots as a Bahamian. The event was one of excitement and pulsating rhythm created by ripsaws (handsaws scraped by hand), drums and percussion.

The new Junkanoo Museum features three high energy shows each day showcasing traditional dance forms and teaching visitors how the unique costumes and instruments are made. Museum guests get a chance to learn how to play Junkanoo drums (goatskin drums) complete with photo and documentation opportunities.

Welcome to the Junkanoo Museum, a new cultural and social hub where visitors and tourists alike are invited to celebrate the traditions of Caicos culture and preserve them for future generations.

Where to Stay on Providenciales

Villa del Mar is a quiet boutique resort in the Grace Bay area offering fully equipped suites as affordable rates. Winner of the Hotel of the Year Award by the Turks and Caicos Tourism Association, the resort is known for its friendly service, elegant accommodations and delightful amenities. Villa del Mar is offering every 4th Night Free for stays started and completed between February 24 to March 31, 2017. Booking Information.

More information from the Turks and Caicos Weekly News.