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African and Native American Culture in Bermuda

Gombey Dancing

Today, Gombey dance troupes can be seen performing all over Bermuda on public
holidays, as well as at football matches, cricket matches and other occasions.
They never fail to attract a crowd as they dance energetically to the rhythms of
the drums and the calls of the bottle whistles. Their costumes are covered with
many-coloured tassels and they wear tall peacock feather hats, capes covered in
pieces of mirror, and masks which hide their faces. The dancers are of all ages and
children play an important role. In modern times the Gombeys are a celebrated
part of Bermudian culture. This was not always the case.

The Gombey tradition had its roots in West Africa and took hold in Bermuda
when black slaves were brought here from Africa via the Caribbean. The name
“Gombey” comes from the Bantu word for “rhythm”.

On Boxing Day and New Year’s Day they would gather and dance. Their dances
often told stories of cruelty by their masters and resistance to European control.
It was a means of preserving some of their heritage when so much of it had been
stripped from them. The practice was disapproved of by slave-owners and polite
society, and so the masks and costumes allowed the slaves to hide their identity
and avoid punishment. The disruptive power of Gombey dancing was such that
there were even laws passed in the late 18th century banning it.

Although the Gombeys are similar to the Bahamian Goombay, they are unique to
Bermuda and reflect our particular cultural mixture and history. The Gombey tradition
was heavily influenced by the significant population of Native American slaves which
existed in Bermuda. This can be seen in the dance style, the roles the performers play
(e.g. the ‘Chiefs’ and the ‘Warriors’), as well as in the hatchets, tomahawks and bows
and arrows that the performers carry. Even Bermuda’s British heritage is attested to in
the British military inspired snare-drums. The dances retell Biblical stories as well as
stories from African, Native American, British and West Indian lore.

ACTIVITY

Have a member of a Gombey
dance group visit your classroom.
Discuss origin, dance style and
costumes of dancers.

ASSESSMENT
INDICATOR

Design your own Gombey Costume.
What do the colours, words and
images on the cape mean?

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