Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2017 | Page 141

Gombey
Festival
Gombeys are dancers, dancing to the beat of drums. This festival is a combination of African, Caribbean
and British cultures which originated from the days of slavery. During that time, slaves were only allowed to
dance once per year. They did so fearfully, covered with masks, so their master will not be able to identify
them. They did not want to risk being punished for participating in these dances which the masters were not
particularly fond of.
As the years progressed, the dances evolved and today it is considered an important cultural expression.
Gombey troupes dress in colourfully decorated costumes, their music, energetic dance and displays all very
specific to their individual troupe. Once frowned upon, this is now an acceptable expression of Bermudian
art form and a depiction of a tradition deeply rooted in Bermudian history.