On Saturday, November 30th, Barbados celebrated 53 years of independence! Here at Tropical Living Barbados, we decided to highlight some of the Bajan traditions that we may see during this time of year and during celebrations. Often we may see these characters and probably have no idea the meanings or stories behind them. In this post, we'll be look at Mudda Sally, The Tuk Band, Shaggy Bear and Stilt Walkers.
Mother Sally is locally known as "Mudda Sally", she is said to be a representation of fertility. Traditionally, this character was performed by a male who wore a mask in order to shield his identity. Often times, you can see Mudda Sally dancing with a Tuk Band, and showcasing movements that emphasise her large buttocks and big bosom. Originally, the Mudda Sally costume was made from banana leaves, stuffed sacks and pillows. Now, the costume has been modernised and the character is usually seen wearing bright an vibrant colours, however the stuffed pillow at the behind is still a very important part of the costume!
The infamous Tuk Band! The group of people who play in this band, perform a genre of music referred to as "Tuk" or "Rukatuk" music. The band was born out of necessity and creativity by the African slaves on the island at the time. British slave masters in Barbados passed a law in the late 1600s forbidding the slaves to beat their drums, for fear they would be using them to communicate surreptitiously across plantations and incite revolt. The Tuk band and Tuk music however were seen as "acceptable" music alternatives. Slaves started to mimic the drums of the British fire and drum corps. Today we can still see these lively bands and many cultural events and celebrations here on island!
The Shaggy Bear is said to represent an African Witch doctor. This character can also be known as the "Bank Holiday Bear", because he somehow always shows up on Bank Holidays (public holidays) and celebrations. His swift movements and acrobatic performances are designed to frighten, as well as impress any on lookers. Originally, the Shaggy Bear costume was made of vines, banana leaves and other plant materials. Today however, the costume is made of colourful strips of fabric martial.
The Stilt Walker represents the African god Moko, who originated from Kongo and Nigeria. Traditionally, Moko was said to watch over the villages, and due to his towering height, he was able to force any danger and evil that would be approaching. thus, the stilt walker became a protector or people. In the original costumes, the stilt walkers would wear clothes which represented the upper class of society, but today they wear bright and vibrant colours that give a Caribbean feel to them! To this day, you can still find people training to become stilt walkers here in Barbados and the walkers can be seen at many celebrations and cultural events.
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