Carriacou's Carnival February 15-16

Carnival in the Caribbean derives its origins from colonial times with the mimicking of plantation life. The age old custom of "masking" on the street overstepped social boundaries of color, allowing participation by all.
Developed over the entire Caribbean region in one form or another, it was often considered a pagan celebration with the devil mass or "Jab-Jab" portraying slavery in chains and the asking of money to the buy freedom.
In Carriacou, Carnival is a pre-Lenten celebration starting the weekend before Ash Wednesday. Sunday night is called Can-boulay meaning "burning wood".
In the old days cornstalks were burned as a bonfire to create lighting for night time Kalenda stick-fighting. "Pierrots", a prominent figure in our Carnival, originated from disguised entertainers during French colonialism.
Their roles have evolved over the generations to roving bands competing between their villages/plantations in literature reciting, mostly Shakespeare.
Today Shakespeare Mas competitors pair off face to face; one recites while the other listens. Missed lines are rewarded with a stroke from a rod, but colorful, heavily padded and masked head dresses offer protection and the flowing paper lined capes add theatrical loud noises when the stick hits its mark. This event is unique to Carriacou and is a must to see on Tuesday morning. Troops start from Mt Royal and make their way down through the villages performing, stopping for rum in between rounds, until the event culminates in Hillsborough for the final showdown. A lively calypso competition, Dimarche Gras, on Sunday night lasts until the wee hours of Monday, Jouvert Morning, where everyone spills out onto the streets to dance and celebrate. Watch out for the Jab-Jab! On Monday, the Parade of the Bands features Mas Players sporting colorful costumes with imaginative themes, accompanied by rhythmic soca music. The last lap is on Tuesday where the Carnival winds down, leaving Hillsborough a veritable ghost town on Wednesday morning.

Keys open doors...

Double click photos to enlarge

THE INDIAN DOORS at VILLA SANKOFA, CARRIACOU

WANTING TO FIND AN ELEGANT AND UNIQUE ENTRY, WE WENT SEARCHING AT MALABAR IMPORTERS IN SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA. THERE WE FOUND THEM, OUR DOORS, REMNANTS FROM AN ABANDONED CHURCH IN GOA. WE BOUGHT THE INDIAN DOORS AND THOUGHT TO USE THEM AS THE ENTRANCE TO OUR FRONT GARDEN IN LOS ANGELES, BUT PLANS CHANGED. FRUSTRATED TRYING TO RENOVATE THE LOS ANGELES HOUSE, WE DECIDED THE NEXT YEAR TO BUILD OUR A HOME ON THE BEAUTIFUL ISLE OF CARRIACOU, A PARADISE WE HAD RECOGNIZED TWENTY FIVE YEARS EARLIER. WHILE BUILDING VILLA SANKOFA, OUR ARCHITECT, BRYAN BULLEN, ASKED ABOUT OUR ENTRY. VILLA SANKOFA HAS A COMBINED AFRICAN / ASIAN MOTIF, SO WE IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT TO SHIP THE DOORS FROM LOS ANGELES TO CARRIACOU. DELICATELY CARVED, THE FRAME INTERPRETS ST GEORGE SLAYING THE DRAGON. THE LOCAL BUILDERS, WITH MUCH ADMIRATION FOR THE DOORS’ INTRICATE WORKMANSHIP, INSTALLED THEM WITH LOVING CARE. AFTER THE DOORS WERE SET AND WE ALL LOOKED AT THE ENTRANCE WITH PRIDE, THE QUESTION AROSE, WHAT KIND OF DOOR SHOULD BE PUT OPPOSITE THEM? OUR GRENADINE BUILDERS REPLIED, “WE CAN CREATE A DOOR TO COMPLEMENT THEM.” AND THEY DID.

FURNITURE PIECES at VILLA SANKOFA, CARRIACOU

GRANARY LADDER and CHAISE from BURKINA FASSO

IN BURKINA FASSO, MALI, AND OTHER WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, GRAIN IS STORED IN LARGE CLAY POTS. THE POTTERY IS AT LEAST ONE STORY ABOVE THE GROUND. TO REACH THE GRAIN, FARMERS CONSTRUCT GRANARY LADDERS FROM TREE TRUNKS. CECIL WAS IN OUAGADOUGOU AND PURCHASED THE LADDER AND CHAISE. THE CHAISE IS CARVED FROM ONE PIECE OF WOOD IN THE SHAPE OF A STYLIZED ANTELOPE. THE VILLAGE ELDERS RECLINE ON CHAISES UNDER BROAD SHADE TREES.

WATER VESSEL HOLDER AND TENT STAKE from MALI

IN TIMBUCTOU, WE TOURED THE VERY INTERESTING MUSEUM. THERE WE PURCHASED THE WATER VESSEL HOLDER. IT IS DESIGNED TO HOLD A LARGE CALABASH WHICH WOULD HOLD THE DRINKING WATER OR MILK. ITS POINTED BOTTOM FIRMLY PLANTED IN THE SAND, KEEPS THE HOLDER SECURE. WE ALSO THE TENT STAKE WHICH IS USED TO TIE DOWN AND SECURE THE TAUREG TENTS IN THE SAHARA DESERT.

TRADITIONAL ASHANTI STOOLS from GHANA

WHILE ATTENDING THE CORONATION OF THE ASANTEHENE IN KUMASI, WE TOURED A NEARBY VILLAGE, FAMOUS FOR ITS HANDMADE STOOLS. USING A VERY SOFT WOOD, THE YOUNG MEN SWIFTLY AND ACCURATELY CARVE INTRICATELY DESIGNED STOOLS IN A VARIETY OF TRADITIONAL PATTERNS. WE ORDERED STOOLS IN EVERY PATTERN AND WERE ESPECIALLY PLEASED TO FIND A STOOL THAT SHOWS THE SANKOFA PATTERN.

FRANKLYN BETHEL / HOLLINGSWORTH COLLABORATIONS from CARRIACOU

INDIAN CHAISE COUCHES, TABLE, AND CABINET

ALL COUNTRIES HAVE THEIR NATIONAL TREASURES AND GRENADA IS BLESSED WITH THE ARTISTRY OF FRANKLYN BETHEL. HE TAKES A FINE PIECE OF WOOD AND SHAPES IT INTO AN EXQUISITE PIECE OF FURNITURE. NOT ENOUGH FAMILY CHAISE COUCHES FOR ME TO INHERIT, I ASKED MR. BETHEL TO CREATE TWO REPLICAS FROM A PICTURE OF AN ANTIQUE INDIAN COUCH. THE MAHOGANY AND CAINE COUCHES WERE SIZED TO SUIT OUR ROOM’S DIMENSIONS. MR. BETHEL AND HIS SON, RON, DID ALL FREE HAND THE DELICATE CARVING. WE NEEDED A TABLE BETWEEN THE TWO COUCHES. I DESIGNED A DUAL EATING AND COFFEE TABLE. ITS HEIGHT IS ADJUSTABLE. EASILY RAISED FOR DINING, THE DROP LEAVES AND TABLE ALSO EASILY LOWER TO MAKE A COFFEE TABLE. TO COMPLEMENT THIS LIVING AREA WE NEEDED A CABINET TO STORE CASES OF DRINKS AND DINING EQUIPMENT. MR. BETHEL CREATED A SIMPLE BUT ELEGANT CABINET TO PERFORM THESE FUNCTIONS.

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