Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - February 2021
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Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - February 2021

Welcome to Caribbean Compass, the most widely-read boating publication in the Caribbean! THE MOST NEWS YOU CAN USE - feature articles on cruising destinations, regattas, environment, events... Welcome to Caribbean Compass, the most widely-read boating publication in the Caribbean! THE MOST NEWS YOU CAN USE - feature articles on cruising destinations, regattas, environment, events...

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FEBRUARY 2021 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 20

Two Artisans in Carriacou: made from mahogany logs, mostly carved with hand tools such as gouges after hollowing out the log with a chain saw. He usually uses pigskin for the membrane, called a drumhead or drumskin. Shaka began making bongo drums 25 years ago and has been making necklaces since his schooldays. Shaka began scuba diving about 18 years ago and worked for dive shops, as well as selling the fish and lobsters he caught. About seven years ago he suffered RONI EVERTON RONI EVERTON (2) SHAKA AND LUÍS by John Everton Aaron H. Barry’s aliases include Shaka, Zulu and Bongo. Shaka was born in Grenada in 1980. He moved to Carriacou when 17 and has lived here ever since. Of all the West Indians here that I know he has the most African aspect, particularly in his dress, his bongo playing and the choice of materials in the necklaces he makes, which include animal bones and teeth that he finds when walking. Shaka’s art is more for art’s sake than profit; however, he will accept presents of value in exchange for necklaces and the drums he fabricates, as well as accepting commissions. Shaka’s bongo playing is certainly African based and I have seen him pick up the tempo and add zest to various bands he plays with. On board at night one can often hear his distinctive drumming drift across the water from the shore. The bases of his drums are LUIS SAAVEDRA a bends accident while diving southeast of Petite Martinique. He was down to 110 feet and when he ascended to 90 feet his regulator and mask blew out. Without being able to see he was able to activate an emergency regulator on his tank, which unfortunately proved faulty, so he came straight up to the surface from 90 feet. He was eventually transported to a decompression chamber in St. Lucia as at the time Grenada did not have one. Lucky to survive, he walks with a limp in one leg and with the aid of a crutch. He thought I should mention the accident in this article to warn other scuba divers of potential dangers. Always colourfully dressed, and usually accompanied by his faithful dog JJ, Shaka can be seen regularly on the Tyrell Bay waterfront anywhere between Lambi Queen and The Old Rum Shop. When he is not out fishing or at home making bongo drums or creating jewelry he is listening to music or watching music videos and you can bet your bottom dollar it is African singing and dancing. Aaron - Shaka - Zulu - Bongo H. Barry is a very spiritual man, an artist who works with nature, in true touch with his ancestral roots. Another artisan now in Carriacou who has something in common with Shaka is José Luís Roman Saavedra, a native of La Coruña, Galicia, Spain, who arrived in the Caribbean in January 2020 after an Atlantic crossing on the 28-foot gaff cutter Sauntress. Sauntress is the smallest square-rigger sailing and one of the oldest wooden boats currently sailing in the Caribbean, having been launched in Cardiff, Wales, in 1913. Luís has been first mate of Sauntress for 15 years after joining the boat in La Coruña. When she crossed last winter, Sauntress called in at Tobago before arriving in Tyrell Bay, where she soon hauled out in Carriacou Marine. Back in the water Sauntress was my neighbour for several months until we moved into the mangroves for the threat from Tropical Storm Gonzalo. Luís has been living ashore for the past few months until his skipper decides to sail on. As the skipper has also fallen in love with Carriacou, that won’t be anytime soon. When Luís was 20 years of age he started working for his uncle on weekends. His uncle was a carver in wood and stone; Luis preferred working with wood, in which he became proficient. Boxwood is his favourite for carving because, as a very slow growing bush, it has virtually no grain and is almost inert. Old-fashioned chisel handles are crafted from boxwood. Other woods Luis finds agreeable for carving include black walnut, black cypress, olive and lime. Tools Luís uses for carving include gouges, a magnifying glass and an extremely sharp knife like a scapel. He usually works with the grain. An example of motifs used on a knife handle include Above: Aaron H. Barry — better known as Shaka, Zulu or Bongo — makes drums from mahogany logs, mostly carved with hand tools. Left: Shaka and Luís. When seeing each other’s work they had an instant rapport and respect for one another. Inset: Shaka and his friend Santa (at left), creating a beat. On board at night sailors can often hear drumming drift across the water from the shore. Bottom left: Luís will spend many hours, days or weeks working on one carving. Below: Luís sketches in his ideas onto the wood in pencil, and then carves the finished artwork. leaves, the lighthouse of Hercules (a Roman lighthouse in La Coruña) a mermaid, a snake, a ship under sail, fish scales, a crab with a beer in one claw and a joint in the other, a seahorse drinking brandy — all carved in intricate detail. He will spend many hours, days or weeks working on one carving. Luís works from pure imagination, although sometimes, with a particular image, he will on draw it on paper, glue it on the wood, and carve around it. Like Shaka, for the most part Luis is a noncommercial artist — art for art’s sake. In place of cash, he too will accept gifts that he can value. But most of his work he gives to friends or keeps for himself. Besides carving for friends and his own private collection he will accept commissions. He has many followers on Instagram, which puts him in touch with carvers all around the world. Besides carving, Luís is an excellent fisherman, cook and invaluable crewmember of Sauntress. He has worked on her in every winter re-fit and races on her in all the local regattas. I enjoyed introducing Shaka and Luís, who when seeing each other’s work had an instant rapport and respect for one another. LUIS SAAVEDRA FEBRUARY 2021 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 21

FEBRUARY <strong>2021</strong> CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 20

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