Times of the Islands Spring 2021
Presents the "soul of the Turks & Caicos Islands" with in-depth features about local people, culture, history, environment, real estate, businesses, resorts, restaurants and activities.
Presents the "soul of the Turks & Caicos Islands" with in-depth features about local people, culture, history, environment, real estate, businesses, resorts, restaurants and activities.
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astrolabe newsletter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Turks & Caicos National Museum<br />
When Michael first arrived in <strong>the</strong> Turks & Caicos as<br />
director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> national museum, he was amazed with<br />
how similar but different <strong>the</strong> cultural traditions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Turks & Caicos <strong>Islands</strong> are compared to The Bahamas.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> his main goals as director was to explore and<br />
experience <strong>the</strong>se cultural traditions so that <strong>the</strong> museum<br />
can do a better job <strong>of</strong> presenting <strong>the</strong>m to residents and<br />
visitors to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se traditions is <strong>the</strong> building<br />
<strong>of</strong> native Caicos sloops.<br />
This journey started on February 16, 2019 at <strong>the</strong><br />
annual Valentine’s Cup, hosted by <strong>the</strong> Middle Caicos<br />
Co-op on Bambarra Beach, Middle Caicos. The Valentine’s<br />
Cup is a regatta using model Caicos sloops enjoyed by<br />
locals and visitors <strong>of</strong> all ages.<br />
While waiting for <strong>the</strong> event to begin, I walked around<br />
to interview attendees. Fortunately, <strong>the</strong> first people I met<br />
are both members <strong>of</strong> different TCI boat building families,<br />
Wing Dean and Brodie Forbes. They both spoke with<br />
fondness <strong>of</strong> childhood memories <strong>of</strong> building model boats<br />
out <strong>of</strong> gum elemi trees with <strong>the</strong>ir friends. Historically,<br />
children would ga<strong>the</strong>r logs from <strong>the</strong> gum elemi tree and<br />
carve smaller versions <strong>of</strong> Caicos sloops, complete with<br />
sails and rigging, and race <strong>the</strong>m in sheltered waters.<br />
That evening I called Vanessa excited about <strong>the</strong><br />
information I had ga<strong>the</strong>red that day. I expressed shock<br />
that we didn’t have something similar in The Bahamas.<br />
However, Vanessa was surprised as she thought it was<br />
a common childhood practice. While both <strong>of</strong> us are from<br />
The Bahamas, we had different childhood experiences.<br />
Similar to most Bahamian families, we can trace our familiar<br />
history to various family islands, Michael (Cat Island<br />
and Berry <strong>Islands</strong>) and Vanessa (Andros and Exuma).<br />
However, multiple generations <strong>of</strong> Michael’s family were<br />
born on New Providence whereas Vanessa’s parents were<br />
both born on Andros.This is similar in that many children<br />
who grow up in Providenciales do not have <strong>the</strong> same cultural<br />
experiences as those from <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r islands.<br />
Vanessa recounts stories similar to Wing and Brodie’s.<br />
She recalls, “The most exciting part <strong>of</strong> getting my own<br />
model boat was choosing <strong>the</strong> tree it would be sculpted<br />
from. I excitedly watched and helped my uncle, knowing<br />
upon completion <strong>the</strong> best part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> summer is <strong>the</strong><br />
model boat regatta and I always wanted to win—which<br />
child doesn’t? Model boat regatta day was <strong>the</strong> highlight,<br />
nobody slept <strong>the</strong> night before and you kept your eye on<br />
your boat in case one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cousins tried to sabotage<br />
Top: Pastor “Gold” Williams sails his model sloop.<br />
Above: “Wing” Dean (left) and Brodie Forbes speak with fondness <strong>of</strong><br />
childhood memories <strong>of</strong> building model boats.<br />
you. We barely ate breakfast since we were so excited to<br />
get down to <strong>the</strong> bay to race our boats. There’s nothing<br />
quite like seeing <strong>the</strong> wind catch your sails and your boat<br />
take <strong>of</strong>f; you couldn’t hear much from all <strong>the</strong> excitement,<br />
sound, colour, smell <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> food and <strong>the</strong> sea. The buildup<br />
to <strong>the</strong> regatta made summering on <strong>the</strong> family islands<br />
<strong>the</strong> best part <strong>of</strong> getting sent <strong>the</strong>re from <strong>the</strong> capital <strong>of</strong><br />
Nassau.”<br />
<strong>Times</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2021</strong> 59