BRADES, Montserrat -- "Gimme me food in a Calabash..." This
traditional song highlights the past importance of the calabash
as a household item. A couple of generations ago the calabash was
commonly used as an eating and drinking utensil for daily life in
many Caribbean countries. Older islanders remember well the use
of the calabash, cut in half or into various shapes, for cups,
dishes, bowls, water containers, spoons, dippers and other daily
utensils.
For the younger ones or those who don't know, the calabash grows
on a tree and is green when freshly picked, but turns brown when
it has dried out. It has a smooth, woody hard outside and a pulpy
inside, which has to be removed and is not edible. It can be
anything from a few inches to more than a foot across. The
calabash can be carved into all sorts of different designs and
artifacts, or painted to form innovative ornaments. In Africa it
is used to make musical instruments and other traditional
items.On Montserrat, the volcanic island's Hospitality
Association puts the traditional and cultural significance of the
calabash to good use by mounting a Calabash Festival every year
in July. This year's Festival will run for a week, beginning July
15, and the programme includes a host of activities with
something for everyone.One of the highlights will be the grand
Food Fair, with dishes from the various nationalities that make
up Montserrat's population. During the years of volcanic activity
many Montserratians migrated to other countries, and in their
place people from other parts of the Caribbean have arrived and
settled on the island, including Guyanese, Jamaicans, Dominicans
as well as Spanish speaking people from the Dominican Republic.
The island is also home to Indians, Africans and people from
other parts of the world. Some of these diverse nationalities, as
well as Montserrat, will be represented at the Food Fair, giving
a wide variety of dishes to choose from.A calabash exhibition
will be mounted and can be viewed at the same time as the Food
Fair. On display will be some of the locally made carved and/or
painted calabash items mentioned earlier, some of which will also
be on sale and make great gifts and souvenirs. There will also be
information on the uses of the calabash in different parts of the
world, along with tips on the technique of preparing and carving
the calabash. Cultural dancers and local musicians will also be
performing.Other activities for the week include an early morning
hike in the mountains taking in the viewing of calabash trees, a
fun cricket match, a gospel concert, an annual lecture
discussion, and island boat tours to view the volcanic
devastation further south. The week starts with a church service
and a national neighbourly day, while the final activity is a
Calabash Music Fest by the Bay, featuring steel band, string
band, calypso, pig roasting, cashew roasting, local drinks, a
bonfire and fireworks, all on the beach.
by Cathy Buffonge Caribbean News Now contributor Photos Pat
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