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Partner Skit: Meet a Gombey Dancer

Gombey: Hi, I am a Gombey dancer. Have you heard of me?

Student: Yes, I’ve seen you performing on Boxing Day, at cricket matches, and lots of other
places! You’re a celebrated part of Bermudian culture! But I heard that was not
always the case.

Gombey: You’re right! In fact, at one time there were even laws passed against it. Gombey
dancing came to Bermuda through the black slaves that were brought here from
Africa via the Caribbean. They would dance on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
However, many masters resented the practice and forbade it.

Student: Is that why you wear a mask?

Gombey: Exactly. The masks allowed the slaves to avoid being identified by their masters
and avoid the punishment they might have been given.

Student: Why did the masters not like the practice? It is so much fun to watch and listen to.

Gombey: Hmm, it may have been because they thought of their slaves as property over
which they had complete control. However, the dancing expressed of the slaves’
own culture and where they came from. The dances they performed often told
stories of resistance and survival, and through these dances the slaves drew
strength from their common struggle. Perhaps the performances confronted the
masters with the fact that these were real people with a strong spirit who could
not be fully controlled. This must have frightened them a lot.

Student: I see. I heard that Gombey dancing is unique to Bermuda, but how is this possible
if the practice came to us from the Caribbean and West Africa?

Gombey: The practice has its roots there, but it changed a lot over time here in Bermuda. It
was greatly influenced by the Native American slaves in Bermuda, as well as the
British army military bands.

Student: That makes sense! I hear that you call the young performers “warriors” and the
older performers “chiefs”. I also see them carrying hatchets, tomahawks and bows
and arrows. Why do you carry a whip?

Gombey: It’s because I’m “The Captain”! That means I’m the leader of the Gombey troupe
or “crowd” as it is sometimes called. That is also why my cape is longer than the
other dancers.

Student: I see! You have a very beautiful cape. The bits of mirror on it make it very flashy!

Gombey: Why, thank you! This was passed down to me by my father. Every image on it has a
meaning that is significant to me, my family and my troupe. It is said that the bits
of mirror are to ward off evil spirits.

Student: Wow, that’s so interesting! Next time I see the Gombeys performing it will have a
whole different meaning for me!

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