Costumed man pays final respects to his former physician at State funeral

Many persons flocked to the Kingstown Methodist Church on Wednesday to pay final respects to former Governor General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne.

But none drew more attention than a masked man in a floral jumpsuit, boots and a giant snake staff.

Some recognised him from his presence at other funerals and special events. Others refer to him as the “Jab Jab man”, mostly due to his mask, which resembles a bull’s head with horns protruding from the jet black form and big, black spheres dangling from the ears.

“This outfit is about 30 years old. The snake, that’s about 45 years old. I found it at Villa, cleaned it up and 1985, I took it to Victoria Park when Her Majesty was here, Queen Elizabeth,” the man behind the mask, George King told SEARCHLIGHT.

The 67-year-old said he was arrested on that occasion but police released him without a charge.

He added that he has been attending special events and funerals ever since, mostly as a sign of respect.

“He tend to me when I was 17,” King said of his interaction with the former Governor General, who worked as a medical practitioner. “I used to have aches in my joints and he tend to me, I could remember he give me some red long tablets and it helped. Until today, it don’t happen again.”

The Battery Hill resident described Sir Frederick as a quiet, normal man who was very kind and those were among the reasons that he was there to pay his final respects.

Many passers-by took their phones out to get a snap of the masked man standing outside the church.

One woman raised her phone for a photo but quickly changed her mind as she put her phone away and said “Na, me na want dat pan me phone” as she walked away.

Others made sure to keep their distance while passing the man but stared as they did so.

According to George, his outfit has nothing to do with the Grenadian jab jab culture. He said the snake is called “the virgin guard” — a protective shield from evil forces.

And his outfit, inclusive of a floral black and white jumpsuit, a floral bouquet and national flag attached to a cutlass, is from “King George’s Spirit of Love”.

King stood in his position outside the church from the beginning to the very end. He also joined the procession to the cemetery and was among the many persons looking on as Sir Ballantyne was laid to rest.