Around the community of Barrouallie

Before we get down to business this week, I wish to draw your attention to a sentence from my previous article which was misprinted and should have read: “Incidentally, Glebe was initially referred to as “The Glebe”, but with all things we tend to change the names with time and season so, we say “Glede.” The point is we tend to put our own “spin” to names; therefore while the correct word is Glebe, some of us have replaced the “b” with a “d” and so some say “Glede”. With that said, let us proceed.{{more}}

The name, the Earl of Carlisle, keeps resounding in my ears and I had to do some additional research into just who this person was. I was told that he (whoever had the title at that time) was given St Vincent by way of a grant….Given St Vincent? I questioned time and again. Did I hear right? I decided to surf the net to see what information I could garner. Wikipedia had this to say:

“Lord Carlisle obtained from the king a grant of all the Caribbean Islands, including Barbados, this being a confirmation of a former concession given by James I. He was also a patentee and councillor of the plantation of New England, and showed great zeal and interest in the colonies.”

From another website, I found out that the Earl of Carlisle was an English title. My concern is “how dare these people grant all these islands to whomever, when they met people here and then had the audacity to label the Caribs as “war-like”, when in truth and in fact the Caribs were, in my opinion, fighting for what was theirs…their lands…..ha!!! My great grandmother was a Carib originally from Fancy and, from all accounts, she was a gentle soul. If your tolerance level is better than mine you can visit this page for additional reading http://www.theodora.com/encyclopedia/c/earls_of_carlisle.html

I believe that I had better get back to my Barrouallie tales, as we make our rounds and find more Barrouallie people and things long ago. So far, we have visited submarine/ Maroon Rock, that picturesque headland which erosion has weathered with time, separating the rock into parts. The gap is used by boatmen as a “shortcut” across the bay. That shortcut is referred to as “pass”; so, whenever you decide to come here, we shall visit all of these locales.

Now, let’s go for a ride aboard the red donkey cart, which was pulled by the donkey named George Public (yes, the donkey was called George Public) and operated by P. Derby and Don Primus as they made their rounds keeping the community clean and, I was told that the area was kept as clean as a whistle. After their era was Simeon Cross’ era. He was handed the baton to keep Barrouallie clean and from all sayings they did a marvelous job, minus modern day equipment.

By now, I realize that you are getting somewhat tired so, let us rest a while and eat some “Barrouallie boy”. Barrouallie Boy? You ask….Well, it was, in my opinion, the sweetest mango in this community…Got you, didn’t I? The tree was located in Ms Marshall’s yard. The name alone tells you how it was held in “high esteem”, especially by the little ones. Of course, I was also told that the Rimey mango tree, which was found in Ms Barbour’s yard, was also delicious and the boys from that era could be heard singing “blow Wessy, blow” as they waited in anticipation for the mangoes to fall as the winds picked up, but nothing tasted better than that mango…..Barrouallie Boy.

Now back in the day, if you wanted to use a public restroom, then you would have taken the track behind Ms Marshall’s residence and trek up to the rock which stands at the bay to the right of the police station. Atop that rock was the public toilet. That toilet (latrine) is no longer there.

Barrouallie, like every community, had its share of characters who you will always remember. Ms Harry ( I choose to withhold her first name) was like a local registry. I was told that if you couldn’t remember your birth date or if somebody wanted to find out another person’s birth date, ask Ms Harry; all dates were firmly embedded in her head. Anyone remembers “Only?” He was in an era not too long ago…a guy who was never seen without a book. While the other menfolk stood or sat around chatting, “Only” Sat quietly, engrossed in his book. Then, there was James Monkey, the community’s handyman, a man who went anywhere for anyone, doing odd jobs around the community. We shall revisit all these persons in greater detail when the appropriate sub-theme comes around.

As we close, I wish for you to try a tradition which existed long ago during the Easter time. Try putting the white of a fresh egg (only the white) into a plain glass of water and see what forms. The elderly folks here recounted that they would have seen vessels, churches with steeples etc …..I don’t know, so until next week, have a blessed Easter weekend and I’ll see you next week by God’s will.

Angelic_boldeyes@yahoo.com