02162018 weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

art books film fashion food history weddings puzzles gardening

Weekend

THE ISLAND PREACHA Pages 4&5

Inagua’s secrets Artist captures beauty of island pages 8&9

2 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

art

A colourful tribute to Golden Knights

Demetrius Pinder

Michael Mathieu

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A

mural of the four Golden Knights at the roundabout near the Grand Bahama Sports Complex is designed as a tribute to the four Bahamian Olympians whose faces serve as an inspiration to locals and visitors who pass the artwork on a daily basis.

Driving east on West Settler’s Way as

Ramon Miller you approach the roundabout, the face of Chris “The Fireman” Brown appears, and as you travel left around the circle one by one the faces of Michael Mathieu, Ramon Miller and Demetrius Pinder are revealed. The changing mural was created by artist Jacki Boss who was commissioned by the Grand Bahama Sports Authority.

The Golden Knights captured the attention of the world when they won the men’s 4x400 metre relay at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

Two of the team members – Michael

Chris Brown Mathieu and Demetrius Pinder – are natives of Grand Bahama, while Miller hails from New Providence, and Brown from Eleuthera.

Tribune Weekend hit the streets of Grand Bahama and spoke with some people in the area about the facechanging mural, and what it means to them as Bahamians.

“Every day I come work I can see the mural and I feel very proud of it and what they were able to achieve,” said Nana, a cashier at the N&M Convenience Store.

“I think it’s about time we start to

celebrate, pay tribute to those young men and women who are doing great things in the country. I like the fact that it (mural) is there.”

Anastacia Simmons and her daughter Ashley Simmons, of Imagine Graphics and Printing, in the nearby plaza, believe the mural is a fitting tribute to the gold medal winners.

“I think it a great way to pay tribute to them,” said Mrs Simmons. “And putting it here at this location heading towards the Sports Complex is an ideal spot. This is a motivation and inspiration to young people, because here are these guys who attained something great that we want to accomplish. Every time you pass by there is a sense pride when you see their faces out there in colour.”

Ashley said that the four Golden Knights are role models for the youth in particular.

“When you look at it you are reminded of the fact that they did win gold at the Olympics – that pushes young people to want to go for gold also, and it inspires new runners in the high schools,” she said.

Adrian Johnson, an employee at Bahama Fresh Water and Ice, said he likes the mural, especially how the faces transition into each athlete as you are driving or walking past it.

“It is very inspirational to me, and I guess to other young men also, because it makes you think that if they are up there, I can be up there, too.”

Tribune Weekend dropped by the Sports Complex, where we spoke with well-known retired sports coach Gladstone “Coach Moon’’ McPhee.

“I feel it is a great tribute and I want to congratulate to the Grand Bahama Port Authority for commissioning the mural and making sure we have something inspiring to look at every time we pass the circle and see our heroes,” he said.

Mr McPhee said the young artist who painted the mural did a great job.

“I don’t know who she is, but she spent a lot of time working on it, and I want to say thank you very much. It inspires our young people and gives our young athletes motivation that if they work hard, it might be them, too,” said Mr McPhee who was overseeing a track and field sports day at the complex for the Freeport Primary School.

Shandria Ferguson, a physical education teacher and coach at Freeport Primary, agreed with Mr Phee.

“I feel it is very inspirational to our young kids coming up. It gives them something to aspire towards, that as a lil’ kid coming from a small country I could go on the world stage and do big things,” she said.

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

Friday, February 16, 2018

Inside Weekend Interview 4-5 Cara Hunt talks to the “Island Preacha” Matthew Sweeting about the ups and downs of ministry and marriage.

Food 7

Corn dogs reinvented to be healthier and more flavourful

Photography 8 - 9

Patricia Vazquez reveals Inagua as the Bahamas’ ‘Best Kept Secret’

Art 10

Couples paint with heart for Valentine’s Day

Music 11

Kamilah Gibson follows in the footsteps of greats

Cosmetics 12

Bahamian professionals invited to the ‘Beauty Olympics’

Weddings 14 - 15

It’s ‘diagnosis: love’ for doctors Arielle Higgs and Patton Adderley

Film 17

‘Black Panther’ breaks records as it highlights ‘Afrofuturism’

Books 18

The year’s best children’s book, plus latest releases reviewed

Gardening 19

Jack Hardy explores the expansive Rosaceae family

Literary Lives 20 - 23

Princess Margaret’s royal exploits and disappointments

Forgotten Facts 25

Paul C Aranha remembers the Porcupine Club on Hog Island

Puzzles 26

Animals 27 The truth about potcakes, plus Pet of the Week

Cover | Patricia Vazquez

My perfect Bahamian weekend Wayne Williams Building contractor Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday lunch?

“Saturday breakfast. There is no better way to start your Saturday than breakfast with that special someone.”

Q: Wine, rum, cocktail or Kalik?

“I used to love ice cold Kaliks when I used to drink. Now I enjoy a glass of wine every now and then. Nothing like a chilled glass of sweet red wine to help you wind down after a hard day’s work.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“Definitely beach.

My favourite thing to do on

the beach is to chill with my family and light up the grill.”

Q: What is the one thing that you can’t live without?

“The one thing I can’t live without would have to be my lovely wife. After being together for almost 30 years and married for 24, it’s hard to imagine life without my better half.”

Q: Weekend away, where would you go and why?

“Prince Edward Island, Canada. It’s one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been.”

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday

• Couples HIV Testing Time: 1pm - 7pm Venue: Royal Victoria Gardens The National HIV/AIDS Programme is inviting married couples, those in relationships, family members, fraternity brothers and sorority sisters to come out and find out their status. Must come in pairs; both persons must be tested.

• ReTyre Workshop - The Art of Craft Sales and Tyre Art Time: 7pm - 9pm (continues on Saturday 9am - 11am) Venue: Doongalik Studios, Village Road Hosted by Mega Mergers, the event is two-fold: “How to make more money for the products you sell” is the topic on Friday night, while Saturday offers an intro into getting artsy.

• Better Than Chocolate Paint & Sip Party Time: 7pm Venue: Artistically Yours Art Studio While sipping wine, paint your rendition of the selected piece with instructions from artist Nikki Davis Carter. All supplies are provided. Call 698-0118 or e-mail summerpalacenassau@ gmail.com.

• Hypnotist DougT @ Jokers Wild Comedy Club Time: 9.30pm (with encores on Saturday and Sunday) Venue: Jokers Wild, Atlantis After touring as a stand-up comic for years, Doug started studying hypnosis. The 90-minute show is for persons age 18 and up. Tickets are $25. Doors open a 8.45pm.

Saturday

Venue: Bond Nightclub & Lounge, Baha Mar Join American actor Joseph Sikora, known as Tommy Egan on the hit TV show “Power” and for his roles in movies like “Shutter Island” and “Jack Reacher”, for an exclusive party. Tickets $100 in advance from Airbrush Junkies. Call 432-8207 or 425-4015, or e-mail upclosepromo@gmail.com.

• Publik-Figure “POWER” Celebrity Bday Celebration Time: 10pm

• Mural Walk and Talk Time: 3pm - 5pm Venue: National Art Gallery The NAGB Mural Programme is one of several NAGB outreach initiatives that brings artists and communities together in the creation of amazing art. Featured artists are Angelika WallaceWhitfield, Avenii Johnson, June Collie, Richardo Barrett and Steffon Grant. RSVP to asmith@ nagb.org.bs.

• MunaLove Affair Time: 4pm Venue: British Colonial Hilton Formerly called the Munaluchi Tour, the MunaLove Affair is the newly launched curated bridal show providing inspiration, a fashion show and fun experiences for all guests. Contact mylinh@ munaluchibridal.com regarding any questions.

• 31st Campari St Valentine’s Day Regatta Time: 8am - 10pm (continues on Sunday) Venue: Montagu Shore A Class boats compete against each other and the B Class Lady in Red, expected to be skippered by Clyde Rolle. Among the boats due to participate are the Red Stripe, Southern Cross, Ed Sky, Good News and the Running Tide.

• Italian Dolce Gelato Grand Opening Time: 12noon - 2pm Venue: Prince George Plaza, downtown Nassau Sample locally and freshly made Italian ice cream, pastries and coffee while enjoying live entertainment and more.

Sunday

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

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MOBILE

APP

Take us with you Everywhere you go!

The Tribune | Weekend | 7

Friday, February 16, 2018

food

Hot dog diggity

By CARA HUNT cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

A

quindo Colebrook has loved corned beef hot dogs ever since his first time tasting one at the Red Cross Fair when he was younger. The delectable experience encouraged him to create his own business selling gourmet versions of the popular fair and carnival snack.

“I created Corn Diggity Dogs in 2015 because I wanted to create something to sell at events besides the traditional chicken wings and fries,” he told Tribune Weekend.

Aquindo also takes the nontraditional when it comes to preparing his hot dogs. Instead of grilling or boiling them, he uses a waffle press.

“I did a lot of research and came up with the idea of corn dogs, but with a twist – gourmet corn dogs. The dogs are waffle pressed which eliminates the need to fry them, which means that they are a healthier option than traditional corn dogs because they don’t have all that grease. Our slogan is, ‘Stop being biggity and eat this Corn Diggity’,” he said.

“I started popping up the various

festivals. My first festival was Junkanoo Carnival, and the first day I only got a few customers, but by the last day word had spread and I was doing really well.

Now I can sell anywhere from 100 to 200 corn dogs at an event.”

In addition to various festivals – just last week he was at the Tru Tru Bahamian Festival – Aquindo also caters a lot of children’s parties.

“I think the appeal of a corn dog, especially at these types of events, is that you don’t have to sit down and eat it. You can grab a corn dog to go and eat while you are walking around. The other thing about it is that while they

“...they are a healthier option than traditional corn dogs because they don’t have all that grease.

Our slogan is, ‘Stop being biggity and eat this Corn Diggity’.” are filling, they aren’t expensive, so you can feed the family without breaking the bank. A lot of people either just want a little snack or they don’t want to have to pay $10 or more for a plate of food,” he said.

And when it comes to variety, Aquindo offers options to satisfy almost every palate – from beef and turkey dogs to a conchy conch dog, a crabby crab dog, pizza dog and a chilli cheese dog, to name a few of his unique creations. And all his hot dogs can be topped off with an equally varied selection of sauces such as Kalik, BBQ calypso and jerk sauce in addition to the more traditional condiments. And for persons with a sweet tooth, he offers a guava dog – similar to a guava duff on a stick.

“God has really blessed me with this business and I am not afraid to try something new, “ he said. “I am always walking around trying to think what new flavours I can introduce.”

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

art

Painting with heart

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net FINDING new and romantic ways to celebrate a significant other can be challenging, as options a part from the traditional date night dinner and a movie sometimes seem few and far between.

The team at the Atlantis Earth and Fire Pottery Studio made the job a bit easier for Bahamians this week, as they hosted a “Night of Love: Painting For Couples” on Valentine’s Day. There was live entertainment by Wendall Johnson, wine and champagne, hors d’oeuvres, a candy buffet, and up to 20 couples in attendance enjoying a romantic evening of painting under the stars with that special someone.

The event took place in the Beach Tower at the Seagrapes Overlook – a picturesque gazebo with a view of the River Pool and Seagrapes Lagoon.

Organisers transformed the venue into a romantic setting and allowed nature to be a selling point – the stars and the cool breeze.

“This night was a unique experience for couples in a relaxing PARTICIPANTS of “Night of Love” explore their artistic skills atmosphere. We wanted to ease the at Atlantis’ Earth and Fire Pottery Studio on Valentine’s Day. pressure on the pocketbooks of persons by offering an affordable event that was going to be packed with loads Pottery staff. Last year we had a great and painted differof fun, and where else can you enjoy turnout and we anticipate that this a an evening outdoors overlooking will be an annual Valentine’s Day ent themed the breathtaking scenery of Atlan- event that will be bigger and better piece.

“ALIV tis? Our guests were led by trained every year. At Atlantis, we always artists through the easy painting pro- aim towards blowing away our guests. held a comcess. It was a night to remember for The unique experiences we offer petition during special occasions amongst their all involved,” said Erica Lightbourn, assistant “...we anticipate allow guests to celebrate colleagues and take advantage of which was very manager at the Earth and that this will opportunities away from well received and Fire Pottery Studio. home. This is one of the we were pleased For this particular be an annual reasons for return satis- to be a part of that,” “Night of Love” canvases Valentine’s fied customers who are said Ms Lightbourn. had to be prepped using Day event that back asking for more,” “We also offer wrinkled craft tissue she said. mixed media art, paper. The paper was will be bigger At the Earth and wine glass painting, secured to the canvas and better Fire Pottery Studio, a glow in the dark using Mod Podge glue. every year.” sessions are usually painting experience Ms Lightbourn said offered Thursdays to for kids, and during they wanted to offer a United simple but elegant mixed media tex- Saturdays, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, with major tured piece for this experience. As special requests for group events also States holidays and Bahamian holidays, the heart is often a symbol of love, welcomed.

“Just last year the team col- the ‘Painting in the team felt this motif was the perlaborated with ALIV and hosted a Paradise’ experifect subject to recreate.

“Our goal was for guests to have corporate event over the span of a ence is offered for a stress-free night and sit back and few weeks, where every week a differ- both guests and be pampered by the Earth and Fire ent department came into the studio locals.”

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, February 16, 2018

music

Kamilah follows in the footsteps of greats

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

P

erforming at New York’s popular National Sawdust was not the first time Kamilah Gibson showcased her musicality and vocal ability at a venue where stars are born.

One the very first career-propelling showcases for the Bahamas’ very own rising star took place in 2013 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem – the place where the careers of legendary performers like Ella Fitzgerald, the Jackson 5 and James Brown began.

There, Kamilah also rubbed the famous ‘Tree of Hope’ stump. It is believed that performers who touch it with courage have favourable outcomes. Everyone from Michael Jackson to Beyonce has touched the tree stump.

During round one of Amateur Night at the Apollo, Kamilah’s placed first, advancing through the second and third rounds. Though she ultimately did not win the competition, her Apollo performance set her on path to jumpstart her career.

Similarly, performing at National Sawdust “marked the beginning of something bigger,” said Kamilah, whose sultry style is a mix between Tracy Chapman and Lauryn Hill.

The National Sawdust is a nonprofit venue that opens its doors for artists to discover and explore their talents.

Since its inception in 2015, the space has become a popular venue where emerging and established artists can share their music with serious music fans and casual listeners alike.

Kamilah was recommended to the show’s headliner, Kate Kay Es, by her friend and bassist, Solomon Dorsey.

The two are currently touring with international performer Ke$ha and played keys and bass respectively for the singer during the Grammy Awards on January 28.

“The show was amazing. The venue is truly fantastic and I really admire the other two artists on the bill, Kate Kay Es and Sonny Step. The crowd was a lot of fun and the vibe was super warm; they really engaged with the music, which always feels good,” she told Tribune Weekend.

Kamilah said what made her

performance such a great one was the venue itself and the sound treatment, making the experience all the more “epic”.

With guitar in hand, Kamilah performed six original songs for the Sawdust audience, including her newest single “So Long” featuring artist Sho. She was backed by an eight-piece band.

“I think among the highlights as well was the thrilling energy that comes with getting lost in the music and the moment while performing a song. During this set I really allowed myself to let go a little.

It’s easy in the days and minutes leading up to a performance to over-think so many things – positioning of instruments, how the audience is going to react, how the band is going to fit all the pieces together. But for this performance I allowed myself to truly enjoy the roller coaster and emotionally connect with the work, the space, the sonic experience and the audience. The relationship between an artist and an audience is a constant push and pull. You can really feel when you’re connecting with people on a good night, and this was a pretty great night and there are definitely more to come,” she said.

It was thrilling for Kamilah to know her audiences connected with her music, especially her recent debut track “So Long”, which she describes as a “brooding, alt-Valentine’s Day song about a moment of nostalgia and the almost simultaneous reminder that things happen for a reason and you’re better off in the present.”

Her collaboration with Sho, who unfortunately did not perform at the National Sawdust with her, came about after working together providing a critical critique of each other’s craft during a workshop.

“Last November I was approached by the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) to participate in the Harry Chapin Songwriters Workshop where we engaged in discussions about process and writing and the music industry and how changes therein affect songwriting and songwriters among other things,” she said.

“Our music was reviewed by a selection of prominent industry executives (A&R executives and publishing firm CEOs), from whom we got feedback on our songs as well as a lot of insight about the various and ever-changing career paths that exist for musicians/writers. We were able to collaborate and critique our work in a group setting, exploring songwriting as a craft and the intersection of artistry and industry. It was there that I met my co-writer/collaborator Sho with whom I’ve written a few songs so far, including ‘So Long’, released on all platforms on February 2.”

When the collaborators got together, they started recalling meaningful memories that gave them a feeling of nostalgia.

“We ended up writing about that nostalgic feeling that happens around specific times – a birthday, Valentine’s Day, the holidays – when you remember the best of a relationship that has since ended. ‘So Long’ is both about that nostalgia and the moment when you realise you are better off without that relationship/person. In a way, it’s the song you need to play yourself before you wake up on February 14 and text that ex you really ought to leave alone,” she said.

Kamilah has been honing her craft, writing, recording and planning the next steps in her career.

“I have been working on a music video – shot at home in the Bahamas with an all-Bahamian cast – so getting that out a long with some new singles is top priority,” she said.

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

cosmetics

At the top of the game Bahamians invited to the ‘Beauty Olympics’

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

B

ahamian beauticians will have the chance to prove themselves on a regional stage promoting a multibillion industry when the Caribbean’s Best expo and show is held in Nassau this May. The event, presented by the Caribbean Beauty Professionals Network (CBPN), seeks to highlight some of the best in the beauty business.

The expo and show will be the culmination of a week of beauty rallies across the region in recognition of Caribbean Beauty Week, which is celebrated from April 29 to May 5.

The country to emerge as winner of the Caribbean Best, also known as the “Beauty Olympics”, will be determined during the grand finale.

Shynique Evans, executive director of CBPN, said this is one event not miss as professionals vie for the prestigious titles in the categories of Best Barber, Best Nail Technician, Best Hairstylist and Best Makeup Artist.

“This will be very exciting as the best from each country go head-to-head for cash prizes and much more,” she told Tribune Weekend.

The Caribbean Beauty Professionals Network is an organisation with the objective of raising the bar when it comes to quality and creativity in the beauty industry and the region.

In promoting the network, Shynique hopes to connect professionals in the Bahamas with others in the Caribbean while helping them make decisions that will impact the long-term success of their careers as beauticians.

She said the aim of the network is to provide a platform that establishes the

“Providing cutting edge technology and continued education is pivotal for competing in a multi-billion dollar business.”

Shynique Evans, executive director of Caribbean Beauty Professionals Network

beauty industry as a valuable and viable profession with international standards.

“Our mission is to empower beauty professionals in the Caribbean with professional business and skill training through major companies from around the world. Providing cutting edge technology and continued education is pivotal for competing in a multi-billion dollar business,” she said.

“We partner with local associations

and encourage individuals who are practising in the field to establish themselves with their local beauty associations and also to join the regional body of beauty professionals,” she said.

Additionally, Shynique said the network provides the latest technology in an ever-changing industry through ongoing education, group medical insurance and also pension plans for its members.

The membership consists of any person barbers, hairstylists, aestheticians, nail technicians and educators.

“The establishment of a network like the CBPN is important because every industry needs professionals. Our network provides everything needed to keep the beauty practitioner at the top of their game with all the tools needed to compete with international standards,” she said.

•For more information, visit www.caribbeanbeautypro.com

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, February 16, 2018

celebrity The Weekend Fashion Report 2018 Fashion Week amfAR Gala New York

PHOTOS BY EVAN AGOSTINI/INVISION/AP

Part 1 With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

FAIL

HIT

HIT

FAIL

Halsey, singer

Taraji P Henson Proud Mary

La La Anthony Power

Hailey Baldwin, model

Karin says: “Is she going for a 2018 Marilyn Monroe look or a Madonna 1990s one? Either way she doesn’t pull it off. In danger of sounding prudish, this dress seems trashy to me...and the tattoos don’t help. There is a way to be provocative and sexy, but this is not it.”

Cara says: “It’s your basic black dress with an extra long split to try make it interesting. It’s all right but nothing to write home about. Also, the new blonde hair colour looks terrible on her.”

Karin says: “Ooh, I love it! This tri-tone sequined halter dress designed by David Koma is simply stunning on her. It’s very unusual; I don’t think we seen anything like this pattern before. And I love the side-swept messy bob.”

Cara says: “I like it. It’s different and the beading is quite intricate.

It’s a modern yet Art Deco take on a sequined gown and I think it really works for. She’s once again slaying the red carpet.”

Karin says: “It’s a sweet, pretty dress; nothing too special. But La La looks good. The lavender and pink really work on her. And while it’s yet another sheer illusion gown, the floral embroidery makes it a bit more unique.”

Cara says: “This is my favourite look this week. Yes, the fabric is a bit motherof-the-bride, but the low neckline makes sense here and its a lovely colour on her. Of course I love the matchy-matchy earrings as well.”

Karin says: “Hailey looks like a wedding cake topper here. The top half looks like it was made from protective padding gear and is really jarring with the delicate beading. Meanwhile the bottom of the skirt looks like it was made from leftover lamp shade material.”

Cara says: “I used to wear my hair like that all the time when I was in high school, but I don’t think it works for this dress. The dress is a bit of a mess to be honest, I don’t mind the odd Victorianesque dress on the red carpet, but this one is just too frumpy.”

See page 16 for more of the Weekend Fashion Report

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

celebrity The Weekend Fashion Report 2018 Fashion Week amfAR Gala New York

SPLIT

HIT

SPLIT

HIT

Joan Smalls, model

Lucy Hale Life Sentence

Serayah Empire

Rachel Brosnahan The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Karin says: “I love a good floral suit.

Sure, sometimes you can look like a quilt, or a bedspread...which Joan is almost in danger of doing here, but she just manages to pull it off, mostly thanks to the perfect length of the skinnylegged pants and the size of the jacket.

However, the vest underneath in the same pattern is just overkill.”

Cara says: “I like the idea of this pantsuits even though it looks a bit too much like PJs for me. The length of the pants is a bit awkward. Also the matchymatchy Cara just can’t accept those brown shoes seeing as there is a black trim on the jacket.”

Karin says: “I will always and forever love a good red dress, and this one is very nice indeed. Nothing too original, granted, but it looks gorgeous on her, especially with her dark hair. My only gripe is that the skirt is a bit lifeless. She needed just a bit more volume, a bit more ‘oompf’.”

Cara says: “This is a very cute version of the nude, sheer bodice dress, and the red looks great on her. I just hate that wrinkly satin skirt. A softer, more flowy fabric would have been a better choice, I think. Still, she looks elegantly sexy.”

Karin says: “I’m loving this ice blue/ lavender colour lately. It’s just so striking. I’m not the biggest fan of allsequined dresses (so uncomfortable to sit down in and even just to rub against), but this one is tailored really nicely.”

Cara says: “I actually find this very boring on her. It’s pretty enough in that mother-of-the-bride way, but way too sedate for her. I’m sure some aging actresses and singers have previously worn this type of dress as their safe, goto red carpet look. I’m not a fan.”

Karin says: “This is a big statement dress. I love it. I don’t think she quite pulls it off, looking a little lost there, but the dress is gorg. I’m especially in love with the big sleeves that then taper off down at the elbow. It’s just something so different and so fresh.”

Cara says: “This is like Gothic in a bed of roses; I love it. It’s so different, yet elegant all at the same time, and the sleek hair and dark lip just add to the drama. Rachel comes across as the ultimate fashionista in this gown.”

EVAN AGOSTINI/INVISION/AP

Part 2 With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, February 16, 2018

film

‘Black Panther’ takes blockbusters to Africa, and the future

F

or Ryan Coogler, the essence of “Black Panther” came down to one question: What does it mean to be African?

The Oakland-born filmmaker of both “Creed” and “Fruitvale Station” had been given the gargantuan task of shepherding Marvel’s iconic superhero to the big screen, with a budget five times bigger than he’d ever had, Hollywood’s most powerful studio behind him and the freedom to make “Black Panther” as personal as he wanted. Coogler had made his name creating films about the black experience, but both were about the black American experience. “Black Panther,” which opens today, was an African story and when Coogler signed on for the movie, he’d never been. Now, he’d finally get his chance.

“This is the most personal film I’ve ever made, which is the strangest statement to say because I only make films that are personal,” Coogler said.

“This film for me started with this question of, ‘What does it mean to be African?’ It’s a question that I’ve always had since I learned I was black, since my parents sat me down and told me what that was. I didn’t totally understand what that meant. As kid you’re like, well wait, why? Like, so wait we’re from Africa? What’s that?

“I’m 31-years-old and I realised I never really took time to grapple with what it means to be African. This film gave me the chance to do that,” he said.

When the wheels touched down in Cape Town, South Africa, Coogler remembers being overcome with a visceral feeling that he still can’t put words to. He went to Table Mountain and thought, “I could be buried here.” In Nairobi he saw a Maasai man, wearing traditional clothes and speaking on a cell

MATT KENNEDY/MARVEL STUDIOS-DISNEY VIA AP; WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP

Lupita Nyong’o and Chadwick Boseman in “Black Panther.”; filmmaker Ryan Coogler, below phone. “That’s Wakanda,” he thought. “That’s Afrofuturism.”

And that’s what he set out to translate into the language of cinema in “Black Panther.”

It’s the 18th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and based on 50-year-old Stan Lee and Jack Kirbycreated material, sure, but this is far from being just another superhero movie.

Wakanda, a fictional African nation, is an insulated, un-colonised and technologically advanced country that’s both deeply traditional and dazzlingly modern. “Black Panther” paints a multifaceted portrait of a nation in flux, as T’Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) ascends to the throne following his father’s death.

Actress Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead”), who plays Okoye, the general of the Wakanda warriors known as the Dora Milaje, grew up mostly in Zimbabwe. She said she was “giddy” with “childlike joy” when she understood how Coogler intended to show Africa and its inhabitants like Okoye, the spy Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and the scientist Shuri (Letitia Wright) — and those are just the women. “’Black Panther’ creates a precedent that kills the ability of folks to misrepresent and distort the continent,” Gurira said. “The things that it checks off: Complex African female characters; African language on a big screen; African characters who are varied in many different ways and heroic; the heroism of Africans for

themselves and not needing a white hero — go figure — to reach their goals; celebrating so many specific African cultural-isms. No one can really now try to put forth some product where Africa is seen begging for a white superhero to come and save it.”

“Black Panther” has the makings of an all-out a cultural event.

“It’s the biggest, blackest movie that’s ever been made,” said veteran journalist and television writer Marc Bernardin.

And it’s already signalling a seismic shift that that could make an impact big enough to change the entertainment industry — not that it hasn’t taken decades to get the African King and warrior to the big screen.

Coogler brought along many of his most trusted collaborators like actor Michael B Jordan to play the villain Erik Killmonger, cinematographer Rachel Morrison and production designer Hannah Beachler. He even got his hometown in the film.

“Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya, who plays T’Challa’s best friend, says he’s still processing what he saw in “Black Panther.”

“To even have 90 per cent of the cast speaking in an African accent? To me, it’s like, what is that? No one has ever seen something like that before.

You think, ‘Oh I’ve been deprived,’” Kaluuya said. “I think it’s going to mess with people. I think people are going to stand straighter. I think people are going to be emboldened. It’s like, wow we can do this. We can do this at this level and bring it home.”

Walt Disney Co chair Bob Iger told shareholders Tuesday that ticket presales are outpacing every other superhero movie ever made. Box office analysts have projected that it could earn upward of $150 million in its first four days in theatres over President’s Day weekend (and could beat “Deadpool’s” $152 million record). In sum, it’s already looking at around $400 million in ticket sales domestically. And it’s currently resting at a cozy 100 per cent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer Beverly Hills, California

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

books

Government’s secret town is uncovered in ‘Atomic City Girls’

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ager to escape life in the country, June Walker begins work at a top secret government community in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, during World War II. She sits at a machine 12 hours a day, having no clue what she’s helping to create. When author Janet Beard introduces her highranking love interest, June is shocked to learn that she’s one of “The Atomic City Girls.”

Hundreds of people work day and night to make sure the Oak Ridge facilities run like clockwork. Twentyfour-hour cafeterias, movie theaters and recreation halls help pass the time in the secret community, but thanks to strict security rules, employees are forbidden to speak about their daily tasks. Although they’re not on the front lines, the government assures them they are an integral part of World War II. Sam Cantor is a Jewish physicist from New York, one of the few who knows exactly what’s going on in Oak Ridge. June finds his nervous demeanor

endearing and it isn’t long before the two begin a long-term romance.

After a night of dancing and drinking, Sam lets it slip that the entire community has been recruited to help win the war by building the atomic bomb.

June is fascinated and wants to learn more details, but Sam’s job could be at stake if anyone found out. June confesses that she’s impressed with the potential to “win” the war, but when Sam explains what an atomic bomb is capable of

doing, June’s attitude changes.

Joe Brewer is a black construction worker who made his way to Oak Ridge for one of the well-paying jobs. Equally oblivious to his surroundings, Joe wants to do nothing more than to stay out of trouble and do a good job. Unfortunately, a breach in security forces him to be directly placed in the middle of the spotlight with June.

“The Atomic City Girls” explores love, war and patriotism, forcing the reader to consider the devastating effects of Hiroshima. Once readers learn that Beard’s own aunt was one of the workers, the intimate knowledge and specific details of Oak Ridge come to life even more.

LINCEE RAY Associated Press

years, a book that might reach the child I once was and expand that child’s sense of self.”

Titles and publication dates for the two books have not yet been determined. Scribner will publish the adult book, while the middle grade novel will be released by another Simon & Schuster imprint, Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, part of Simon & Schuster’s Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

A Mississippi native, Ward won the

National Book Award last fall for her novel about a black family in her home state, “Sing, Unburied, Sing.” She also won the National Book Award in 2011 for “Salvage the Bones,” the story of a Mississippi community confronting Hurricane Katrina. Her other books include the novel “Where the Line Bleeds” and the memoir “Men We Reaped.”

HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer

Jesmyn Ward, prizewinning author, has two new novels planned

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n Wednesday, Scribner told The Associated Press that Ward will write an adult novel about an enslaved woman sent from the Carolinas to New Orleans. She will then work on her first novel for middle graders, a “magical adventure” featuring a Southern black woman with “special powers.”

“Even though I read voraciously as a child, I never saw myself in books,” Ward said in a statement. “Without narratives to expand my ideas of who I could be, I accepted the stories others told me about myself, stories which diminished and belittled me and people like me. I want to write against that. I’ve wanted to write a middle grade/YA book for

‘Hello, Universe’ wins Newbery for best children’s book

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rin Entrada Kelly’s “Hello, Universe,” a nuanced account of a diverse group of middle school students and their unexpected encounters, has won the John Newbery Medal for the outstanding children’s book of 2017. The Randolph Caldecott Medal for best illustration went to Matthew Cordell and his near-wordless story of a girl and the wolf pup she saves, “Wolf in the Snow.”

The awards were announced Monday by the American Library Association, which has gathered in Denver for its annual mid-winter meeting.

On Monday, Woodson who received the Laura Ingalls Wilder award for lifetime achievement and Nina LaCour’s “We Are Okay” was given the Michael L Printz Award for best young adult literature. Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give,” one of last year’s top-selling young adult novels, was cited twice. It won a William C Morris Award for best debut book for teens and an Odyssey Award for best audiobook.

Renee Watson’s “Piecing Me Together” won the Coretta Scott King Award for outstanding book by an African-American. The King award for best illustrator went to Ekua Holmes for “Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets.” Eloise Greenfield, whose dozens of books include “Honey, I Love” and “In the Land of Words,” won the King award for lifetime achievement.

HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer

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Friday, February 16, 2018

gardening

Rosaceae Jack Hardy explores the family named after what is perhaps the quintessential flowering plant

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e all had to learn the vocabulary of plant taxonomy in school and I think most of us were happier once we had left phylums and orders and reached families. Families we can relate to. During the summer holidays there are numerous family reunions throughout the islands, and a quick glance around will verify that within one family there are extensive variations on a theme. The same happens within one plant family.

The terms of taxonomy make it so colloquial reference to cauliflower, broccoli, kale and kohlrabi being members of the cabbage family is wrong. The genus is Brassica, the family is Brassicaceae, the mustards.

Let’s take Rosaceae, the family named after what is perhaps the quintessential flowering plant. Roses have featured in emblematic form for centuries – as in the War of the Roses – and whenever poets get romantically maudlin they favour roses, as in “My love is like a red, red rose…” Love and roses go together, as we were reminded earlier this week.

Roses have been hybridised beyond belief but even people who have little interest in plants can identify a flowering rose bush whether it is an old English eglantine or a modern floribunda.

When it comes to other members of the rose family the relationship to a rose becomes tenuous.

Brambles have thorns just like rose bushes but the soft fruits they produce – blackberries, raspberries, loganberries – take them into the realm of desserts rather than romance. We do not think

Peach trees are part of the rosaceae family of brambles as tropical but blackberries grow well in the northern Bahamas and a variety of raspberry – Mysore – is truly tropical.

Strawberries are also members of the family. Although we associate strawberries with cream at Wimbledon in July, or wild in the Swiss Alps, we can grow strains of strawberry that produce very well in The Bahamas in late winter, spring and early summer.

Some of the finest and most popular orchard fruits are members of the Rosaceae family. Peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries and apricots are beloved in cooler climes. Here in the Bahamas we are often disappointed in the taste of imported temperate fruits, but when we encounter them on our travels, freshly picked and ripe, we have to be impressed. It is hard to think of a fruit more delicious than a ripe peach, whether grown in Georgia or Canada.

The same happens in reverse, of course.

Visitors to our islands only find how delicious mangoes and pineapples can be when they eat them freshly harvested.

If you have ever seen on the menu and ordered turbot in an overseas restaurant you will have been surprised

at what was put in front of you. Not the turbot you are used to, for sure. The same happens in the world of fruits: the cherries, plums and apples of the old world have been used to describe tropical fruits that are very different in looks and taste. The cherry in the Rosaceae family is the one used for sweet pies.

Apples, pears and quinces are members of the family too – real apples such as Granny Smith and Golden Delicious.

In the Song of Solomon the poet writes: “Comfort me with apples…” The Middle East, the Bible lands, apples? That has always caused me a problem. Whatever fruit the poet has in mind cannot be what we call an apple. The pear, of course, is the sweet pear, not avocado.

We have tropical almond trees in abundance but commercial almond nuts come from trees native to the Middle East and are not related. They are, however, members of the Rosaceae family.

The one Rosaceae fruit tree you will find locally is the loquat. The fruits can be exquisitely sweet and flavoursome but often disappoint. The fruiting season is short and the fruits ripen in stages rather than all at one time. If you ever consider planting a loquat tree it would

be advisable to buy a named cultivar rather than grow one from seed.

The final member of the Rosaceae family I want to mention is coffee. It is hard to equate coffee with roses, but there you are. Coffee plants originated in Ethiopia but the drink was first brewed in Yemen. Coffee is either arabica or robusta, the former being much superior.

What can we say about coffee? Some of us are comatose in the mornings until we have our first sip. The coffee industry is huge, from Starbucks on down. The plant thrives in tropical and equatorial highlands and many countries claim to have the best tasting coffee. My preference is for Colombian, nice and strong, but whenever I have the chance I sample other regional coffees with a good reputation.

I have mentioned only a few of the plants within the family Rosaceae, which has 91 genera and an estimated 4,828 species. The diversity of plants within a family is extraordinary and worth contemplating.

• For questions and comment e-mail j.hardy@coralwave.com

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

literary lives – hrh princes margaret

Royal exploits and disappointments Sir Christopher Ondaatje talks about one of the most extraordinary biographies of recent times outlining the tragically privileged life and death of Queen Elizabeth II’s PART II

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hose in the know say the marriage between Princess Margaret and Group Captain Townsend would never have worked, largely because of the age gap. HRH the Princess Margaret baulked at losing her title. “Who wouldn’t?” says one friend. “Much more fun than being Mrs Townsend. There was money to think about. They would have been forced to live in the country on a very small income – she as the second wife of a middle-aged divorcée.” The Establishment ruse had done the trick.

Whatever the truth, much worse was in store for her. The Princess,

for nearly five years, continued mixing with the well-heeled socalled Bohemian set: artists, singers, actors, and hangers-on, going to first nights, partying, drinking, chain-smoking, and keeping late hours. She also found time to fit in her royal duties and continued to be a stickler for protocol and was blatantly outspoken about her opinions.

Social climbers and pseudo aristocrats crawled over each other, desperate to meet her, ignoring her rudeness. She also saw quite a bit of the photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones who had wormed his way into becoming a favourite of the royal household. In fact, he was staying at Balmoral in October 1959 when Princess Margaret received a letter from her old suitor Peter Townsend, telling her that he was engaged to be married to a 19-yearold Marie-Luce Jamagne who was, he failed to mention, 10 years her junior.

The Princess was furious and her letter back accused him of betraying their great love and the vow they had made that neither would ever marry another. Margaret told Tony Armstrong-Jones about the letter. She was still head over heels in love with Townsend and had harboured the idea that she could have continued a secret affair with him, arrogantly maintaining her role as Princess with all its perks.

Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones were engaged that Christmas, and within four months, in February 1960, Princess Margaret officially announced her engagement – a decision that was clearly made out of spite towards the Group Captain’s decision to marry against their vow.

“Armstrong-Jones seems to have been in two minds about the engagement too. There was so much that he would have to give up, not least his other girlfriends, one of whom confided to a friend that Tony had wept on her bare breasts at the prospect of getting married to royalty.

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowd (1930 - 2002)

“Just before travelling up to Balmoral that October, Tony had carried on his affair with his old friend Jeremy Fry’s wife Camilla. Without him knowing it, Camilla was now pregnant with his child. Polly Fry was born three weeks after the Royal wedding (on May 6 1960), though it was not for 44 years that she was to discover who her true father was.”

The Eton and Cambridge educated Anthony Armstrong-Jones was not that strange a choice for the petulant Princess. Relatively short in stature, he had coxed the successful Cambridge crew in the 1950 Boat Race. He was a fashion photographer of some merit, artistic, outspoken, mixed with the Princess’s friends, was her lover and, most of all, got on well with the Royal family – especially Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The were quite a good match for each other despite a rumour that he was gay or bisexual.

“I

didn’t fall in love with boys, but a few men have been in love with me.” – Anthony Armstrong-Jones

He had a series of affairs with women, including a 20-year relationship with his mistress Ann Hills. Up until their engagement, Princess Margaret’s relationship with Armstrong-Jones had been a well-kept secret. It had only been a few years since the heart-broken Princess had called things off with Group Captain Townsend, and as her new love interest was a “commoner”, royal courtiers were said to disapprove of the romance.

There wasn’t much gossip about it.

She would see him in secret at his studio and he would join her at parties, but no one could pinpoint which man she was interested in. The press focussed more on the ones who seemed to be eligible.

The secrecy didn’t last long, and once

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Friday, February 16, 2018

, don

Royal sisters: Elizabeth and Margaret the news of the engagement wore off, thousands showed up on the day of the royal wedding to line the streets from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. In keeping with tradition, the Princess made the short journey from Clarence House to Westminster Abbey in the Glass Coach, which was reserved for state occasions, with her brotherin-law, the Duke of Edinburgh, by her side. The Duke accompanied Margaret down the aisle and gave her away at the altar, where Armstrong-Jones and his best man, Dr Roger Gilliat, were waiting. As the groom was a civilian he wore a morning dress for the occasion.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, led the ceremony in front of the 2000-strong congregation, which included royalty, politicians, and film stars. There were also eight young bridesmaids in tow, including Margaret’s niece Princess Anne and her goddaughter,Marilyn Wills. After the marriage the newlyweds travelled back to Buckingham Palace where they enjoyed a wedding breakfast inside the palace with their guests. Well-wishers had another opportunity to greet them when they left London for their sixweek honeymoon on the Royal Yacht Britannia from the Battle Bridge Pier

on the River Thames and set off for the Caribbean. “ ‘Why don’t you stop off at Mustique?’ asked their friend Colin Tennant. On a whim he had bought an entire island for 45,000 pounds three years before, despite it having no fresh water or electricity. ‘It’s very primitive but it has magical beaches. Anne (his wife) and I will be there, living in our hut, and we won’t bother you at all’.

Thus the newlyweds first set eyes on Mustique from the deck of the Royal Yacht. Not unusually for the Princess she was disappointed.

The royal couple were greeted by the Tennants on the newly built jetty. The Tennants had cobbled together a little bamboo hut to provide shade. Beneath a roof of coconut fronds the four of them sipped glasses of lukewarm lemonade. Sensing that she was in a good mood, Tennant turned to Margaret and reminded her that he still owed her a wedding present. ‘Look, Ma’am, would you like something in a little box, or … a piece of land?’ ‘A piece of land’ replied Margaret, without missing a beat.”

Armstrong-Jones did not seem quite as pleased. The little 10-acre piece of Continued on page 22

Princess Margaret with her children, Lady Sarah and David Armstrong-Jones

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

Two princesses: Diana and Margaret

Continued from page 21 land would play a significant role in the Princess’s future life.

Both Princess Margaret and Armstrong-Jones were strong-willed and accustomed to having their own way – so there was bound to be some friction in the marriage. His work as a photographer was one of his strongest motivations, thus falling short of her expectations that he would spend more time with her. When high society palled, he would escape to a hideaway cottage with his lovers or go on extended overseas assignments. Most people, including the Royal family, took his side. Following his wedding, Armstrong-Jones was granted an earldom and introduced to the House of Lords as the Earl of Snowdon.

The marriage began to collapse early and publicly. On her side there was a penchant for late-night partying, while on his side was the undisguised sexual profligacy. Nevertheless the couple remained married for 16 years and had two children: David, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, born November 2 1961, and Lady Sarah, born May 1, 1964. After his divorce from Princess Margaret in July 1978, Lord Snowdon married Lucy Mary Lindsay-Hogg on December 15, 1978. Their daughter, Lady Frances

Princess Margaret wore a Norman Hartnell gown for her wedding to Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960.

Armstrong-Jones, was born on July 17, 1979.

Looking back it now seems clear that Princess Margaret’s life went to pieces after she was not allowed to marry Group Captain Townsend. It was a bitter blow for her morale and her ego.

All her relationships seemed eventually to sour and she became a caricature of a fading princess. Well before the Armstrong-Jones marriage crumbled, both the Princess and Armstrong-Jones were openly having affairs. The golden couple of the Swinging Sixties seemed to fade into the seventies. Margaret’s first extramarital affair appeared to be with her husband’s old school friend,

Antony Barton, eventually godfather to her daughter Lady Sarah. Armstrong-Jones openly had an intimate relationship with Lady Jacqueline Rufus-Isaacs. Margaret then had a brief but passionate liaison with the pianist Robin Douglas Home, the pianist and novelist whose suicide when he was 36 is linked to the Princess throwing him over first for Peter Sellers, and then Roddy Llewellyn – 17 years her junior, a singer and garden designer – an affair that reached its peak when she was photographed in a bathing suit with him on the island of Mustique.

Margaret’s marriage to ArmstrongJones produced bitter rows and fervent

tolerated affairs leading to their 1978 divorce – the first royal divorce since Henry VIII split from Anne of Cleves in 1540.

What happened in the last 24 years of Princess Margaret’s life is anticlimactic. She drifted from theatre openings to benefit concerts and minor royal duties. The Queen never lost her affection for her but she was busy with her job- being Queen. It was difficult not to be sorry for her. She had lost the image of being the beautiful young royal princess, and the irrepressible unpredictable attractive quality.

In 1998, when she was 67 years old, she suffered her first stroke on the

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Friday, February 16, 2018

island of Mustique, where she had been staying for three weeks. After being treated at the island’s surgery she was flown by air ambulance to Barbados, and then back to England. Ill health had actually dogged the Princess after she had suffered a nervous breakdown in the 1970s. In May 1992, she had to cancel several engagements, and then in January 1993 she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.

In February 1999 she was back on the island of Mustique. As Craig Brown relates the story: “Her guests at Les Jolies Eaux (Beautiful Waters) were enjoying a relaxed breakfast, chatting about the day ahead. Suddenly the cook rushed in. There was steam coming from under the bathroom door, she said. The Princess must be trapped inside. Unable to get a response from the bathroom, the Princess’s personal detective broke down the door. The Princess was badly scalded and in shock.”

It seems the accident had occurred because Princess Margaret had made the easy mistake of mixing up the hand controls. The Princess turned the wrong knobs at the wrong time; jets of seemingly hot water shot out straight onto her feet. The extreme damage to her feet from scalding was probably exacerbated by a pre-existing condition called Reynaud’s disease which affects the circulation.

The Princess’s own stubbornness and famous hauteur now contributed to the severity of her plight. She stayed on Mustique for several weeks, unable and unwilling to fly to a hospital. Eventually, the Queen was telephoned at Balmoral who took charge and arranged for the Princess to fly back to Britain on the Concorde, after which she spent months convalescing at Balmoral, refusing the needed skin grafts recommended by the doctors. She did not appear in public for six months, when she opened a project for sexually abused children in Aberdeen. From that time on, she started losing her looks, put on weight, and restricted herself to walking just a few steps at a time. She was an object of derision rather than respect and although she gradually recovered, she was reduced to using a wheelchair.

When Margaret and her mother visited Buckingham Palace together an ugly scene took place. The Queen had seen to it that a footman would have a wheelchair ready for her mother, but as the lift door opened onto the first floor, Margaret made a dash for it. “For God’s sake, Margaret – get out! That’s meant for Mummy!” remarked the Queen.

Princess Margaret’s plan to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend, left, a divorced commoner, was thwarted in the 1950s. (Photo/Agence France-Presse)

Princess Margaret and her husband Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, visit the Bahamas in 1967.

“At a reception for the Queen Mother’s centenary at Windsor Castle on June 21, 2000, Princess Margaret got into a wheelchair that had been brushed aside by her mother. Her action was said to have left the Queen fuming. By early January 2001 her health went rapidly downhill. A second stroke was followed by further strokes in the months to come; she lost her sight in one eye, and most of the side of her body was paralysed. She sank into depression.

Old grudges and resentments festered, and her paranoia increased ... Often she refused to see anybody, including her mother. She spent most of her time in bed, with the curtains drawn. She didn’t know what time it was.”

Her former lover Roddy Llewellyn visited, but before long she decided that she would have no more visitors. It wasn’t easy to feel sympathy.

At 8am on Saturday, February 9, 2002, Princess Margaret died in King Edward VII’s Hospital, London. Her funeral was held on February 15, 2002 at St George’s Chapel and attended by all members of the Royal family, including the Queen Mother, 101 years old, who was flown by helicopter from Sandringham. Her former husband Lord Snowdon and Roddy Llewellyn also attended. Her body was taken to Slough Crematorium before her ashes were returned to St George’s Chapel, Windsor, where they were placed in the Royal Vault. A memorial service for

the Princess was held in Westminster Abbey on April 19, 2002.

The bizarre turbulent life of Princess Margaret is almost certainly the saddest royal story of the last century. It was fraught with hope and disappointment.

However, quite strangely, it produced an accident that would change the life of her sister, Queen Elizabeth, and her children – all of whom have been married to commoners, and three of them divorced. It is curiously a complete change of tolerance by both State and Church, and has produced a remarkable dilution of the awe and respect with which the British public now treats the Royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II has now been on the throne of England for 63 years – the longest reigning monarch in British history – since her great-great grandmother – Queen Victoria. But when she dies, and when Prince Charles, with his divorced wife, succeeds her on the throne we may witness the carapace of monarchy, which has for centuries absorbed the shock of misdemeanour, crumble into a sea of discontent.

NEXT WEEK: A look at the literary life of Sir Christopher Ondaatje

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of “The Last Colonial”. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from “Ma’am Darling” by Craig Brown.

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

history

Digital archive of slave voyages details largest forced migration (THE CONVERSATION) – Between 1500 and 1866, slave traders forced 12.5 million Africans aboard transatlantic slave vessels. Before 1820, four enslaved Africans crossed the Atlantic for every European, making Africa the demographic wellspring for the repopulation of the Americas after Columbus’ voyages. The slave trade pulled virtually every port that faced the Atlantic Ocean – from Copenhagen to Cape Town and Boston to Buenos Aires – into its orbit.

To document this enormous trade – the largest forced oceanic migration in human history – our team launched Voyages: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database, a freely available online resource that lets visitors search through and analyse information on nearly 36,000 slave voyages that occurred between 1514 and 1866.

Inspired by the remarkable public response, we developed an animation feature that helps bring into clearer focus the horrifying scale and duration of the trade. The site also implemented a system for visitors to contribute new data. In the last year alone we have added more than a thousand new voyages and revised details on many others.

The data have revolutionised scholarship on the slave trade and provided the foundation for new insights into how enslaved people experienced and resisted their captivity.

Records of unique slave voyages lie at the heart of the project. Clicking on individual voyages listed in the site opens their profiles, which comprise more than 70 distinct fields that collectively help tell that voyage’s story.

From which port did the voyage begin? To which places in Africa did it go? How many enslaved people perished during the Middle Passage? And where did those enslaved Africans end the oceanic portion of their enslavement and begin their lives as slaves in the Americas?

Working with complex data

Volume and direction of the transatlantic slave trade from all African to all American regions. (Credit: David Eltis and David Richardson, Atlas of the Transatlantic Slave Trade) Given the size and complexity of the slave trade, combining the sources that document slave ships’ activities into a single database has presented numerous challenges. Records are written in numerous languages and maintained in archives, libraries and private collections located in dozens of countries.

Many of these are developing nations that lack the financial resources to invest in sustained systems of document preservation.

Even when they are relatively easy to access, documents on slave voyages provide uneven information. Ship logs comprehensively describe places of travel and list the numbers of enslaved people purchased and the captain and crew. By contrast, port-entry records in newspapers might merely produce the name of the vessel and the number of captives who survived the Middle Passage.

These varied sources can be hard to reconcile. The numbers of slaves loaded or removed from a particular vessel might vary widely. Or perhaps a vessel carried registration papers that aimed to

mask its actual origins, especially after the legal abolition of the trade in 1808.

Of course, not all slave voyages left surviving records. Gaps will consequently remain in coverage, even if they continue to narrow. Perhaps three out of every four slaving voyages are now documented in the database.

Engagement with Voyages site We often hear from teachers and students who use the site in the classroom, from scholars whose research draws on material in the database and from individuals who consult the project to better understand their heritage.

Through a contribute function, site visitors can also submit new material on transatlantic slave voyages and help us identify errors in the data.

The real strength of the project – and of digital history more generally – is that it encourages visitors to interact with sources and materials that they might not otherwise be able to access.

That turns users into historians, allowing them to contextualise a single slave voyage or analyse local, national and Atlantic-wide patterns. How did the

survival rate among captives during the Middle Passage change over time? What was the typical ratio of male to female captives? How often did insurrections occur aboard slave ships? From which African port did most enslaved people sent to, say, Virginia originate?

We learned that shipboard revolts occurred most often among slaves who came from regions in Africa that supplied comparatively few slaves. Ports tended to send slave vessels to the same African regions in search of enslaved people and dispatch them to familiar places for sale in the Americas. Indeed, slave voyages followed a seasonal pattern that was conditioned at least in part by agricultural cycles on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The slave trade was both highly structured and carefully organised.

The website also continues to collect lesson plans that teachers have created for middle school, high school and college students.

Voyages has also provided a model for other projects, including a forthcoming database that documents slave ships that operated strictly within the Americas.

We also continue to work in parallel with the African Origins database. The project invites users to identify the likely backgrounds of nearly 100,000 Africans liberated from slave vessels based on their indigenous names. By combining those names with information from Voyages on liberated Africans’ ports of origin, the Origins website aims to better understand the homelands from which enslaved people came.

Through these endevours, Voyages has become a digital memorial to the millions of enslaved Africans forcibly pulled into the slave trade and, until recently, nearly erased from the history of not only the trade itself, but also the history of the Atlantic world.

Philip Misevich St John’s University

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Friday, February 16, 2018

history

The Porcupine Club on Hog Island Forgotten facts Paul C Aranha

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Bahamian land or sea, and the nearest incident occurred on August 6, 1914 when the German cruiser Karlsruhe, coaling at sea, 120 miles north-east of San Salvador, was sighted by HMS Suffolk. The Karlsruhe was the speedier of the two ships and got away, but in her haste her boats were left behind. One of these, an excellent 30-foot motor launch, drifted into Hope Town, Abaco and was bought by an American and used as a ferry between Hog Island and Nassau.

Quietly, the club flourished, until World War II took its toll, and as the older members died, membership dwindled. Right at that time E P Taylor was creating Lyford Cay and many members joined the new Lyford Cay Club. One day, without fanfare, the Porcupine Club faded away.

The property was taken over by the French company Club Mediterranée and the harbourfront building became the restaurant of Club Med’s oncethriving Paradise Island village. It is now a part of Atlantis.

• For questions and comments, e-mail islandairman@gmail.com

p until 1949, when my best friend and I were shipped off to an English boarding school, we spent much of our spare time playing on the Eastern Parade, on the waterfront where the beach soccer stadium now stands and on Malcolm Park, all open spaces, with a clear view of Hog Island.

In those days we measured distances in yards and Potter’s Cay was about 220 yards away. Beyond that, A postcard showing the ultra exclusive club on Hog Island we could see the Porcupine Club, on what is now Paradise Island, maybe With membership increasing at a Frazier, the famous American debu440 yards or so from where we stood, but there was no bridge and that was controlled, slow pace, according to tante who married the professional Paul Albury, the club did relax the American football player John Simms another world.

None of us had any idea what the citizenship rule, admitting as the first “Shipwreck” Kelly and lived in Nassau.

Eric Wiberg states that during World Porcupine Club was, nor did we stop non-American member Lady Williamsto think that what we could see was Taylor of Montreal, mother of Brenda War II no hostile act was committed on just their clubhouse. We had no idea that the property extended across Hog Island to a sandy beach, and the club offered swimming, tennis and all the other activities that went with being rich.

It was not until 1984, when the late Dr Paul Albury published his book “Paradise Island Story”, that readers chooses Thomas Jefferson February 16 got a good idea of what that club really over Aaron Burr as the third

was. Since then, Paul’s daughter and • 1923 – Archaeologist President of the United States. son-in-law, Anne and Jim Lawlor, have Howard Carter enters the • 1936 – The world’s first created the excellent second edition sealed burial chamber of the superhero, The Phantom, a updating Paul’s original. I recommend ancient Egyptian ruler King cartoon strip by Lee Falk, both.

Tutankhamen, who lived makes his first appearance in The building on the postcard was around 1400 BC and died comics. erected in 1929, but this very exclusive, when he was still a teenager.

members-only club was started in Jan• 1959 – Fidel Castro February 18 uary 1913.

• 1885 – Mark Twain pubbecomes the 16th Prime Min“The Pocket Guide to the West ister of Cuba after leading a lishes his famous – and Indies” (1923) mentioned that the guerrilla campaign that forced famously controversial –novel charter members, of which there were right-wing dictator Fulgencio “The Adventures of Huckleonly 11, including Eliot Bacon, George Batista into exile. berry Finn”.

Bullock, Irving Cox, were wealthy

• 1930 – Pluto, once again The Phantom Americans, and that would-be memclassified as the ninth planet, February 17 is the first bers had to be American and very rich. is discovered at the Lowell

superhero The roll call came to include names • 1801 – The House of Observatory in Flagstaff, Arito appear in like Vincent Astor, Howard Hughes, Representatives breaks an zona, by astronomer Clyde W comic books.

Andrew Mellon and J P Morgan. electoral college tie and Tombaugh.

This weekend in world history

PriCe (across) Trend (down)

26 | The Tribune | Weekend

Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

E c A E c n

chambers have to c *Calls cost 75p plus your telephone you company’s too! use 21st 16, access charge.

Friday, network February 2018grid letters and bla century below the grid Dictionary grid is ‘rotatio (1999 symmetrical’ edition) words, it looks you turn the p HOW many words of four letters down. solutio or more can you make from the

TarGeT

r A l E c A E c n

THe aLP

shown here? in making cAn you crackathe yesterday’ theletters target A word, each letter may be used Black squa Each grid uses 11, 12, 16, 18, once only. EachAlphabeater? must contain the B represents 30, 32, 35, 3 centre there must be at a letter words in letter andnumber C least one nine-letter word.square. no – or black As inacross: As theplurals mainor verb forms Bodily, Avat ending inevery “s”. letter Alphapuzzle, of D Ambushes, body of the alphabet is used. But Misquote, R Today’s TarGeT E chambers you22; have to complete Earwig, the Jow Good 15; very good excellent Spla grid too! use the givendown: tomorrow.

21st29 (or more). solution F Avails, Scat letters and black squares Graze, Ough century G yesTerday’s below soLUTion the grid to start.Jeers, the Nod, Dictionary cement cent comet comment Odyssey, Ex grid is ‘rotationally H CoMMenTed cote decent (1999 – in other demote denote symmetrical’ dent dote emmet I edition) emote emoted words, meet memento it looks the sameExtra if let

0907 J18 mete meted moment mote you turn thenote page upside HOW many words of four letters (Deduct thre noted teed teem teen tend toed down. solution tomorrow. each extra K clu or more can you make fromtome the tone toned toneme full so letters shown here? in making a yesterday’s solution L call 0907 181 2585 for Yesterday’s Yesterday’s word, each letter may be used Black squares: 2, 4,0907 7, 18 today’s target solution *Calls costM 11, 16, 18, 21, 25, plus 28,your telep8 80p12, per minute Sudoku Answer Answer once only.

Each must contain the*Calls costKakuro plus your telephone company’s networkN ac 30, 32, 35, 39. centre letter and there must be atnetwork access charge. across: Asking, Price, least one nine-letter word. no O Bodily, Avatar, plurals or verb forms ending *SP: in “s”.

Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390 PLay P M Ambushes, Interject,

CRYPTIC PUZZLE Across 1 Pays a visit, after some persuasion? (5,5) 6 Produced common money, we hear (4) 10 Foals are frisky after a tonic, perhaps (3-2) 11 Treat wage adjustment as US political scandal (9) 12 Mould ice and store in secret (8) 13 Superfluous oil wells (5) 15 Possibly sold one some Chinese food (7) 17 Waiting for mass (7) 19 Be in force and overcome (7) 21 A group that is seen in abbreviated spectacles (7) 22 It can result when many stampede (5) 24 Looking horrible, so urge me to make changes (8) 27 Watchful braves not seen around (9) 28 A relationship that breaks up a trio (5) 29 Ties for position (4) 30 Censorious writer? (4,6)

Down 1 Found everyone playing (4) 2 Emil’s note may be informative to a traveller (9) 3 Open tarts, perhaps (5) 4 In positions of hospital duty, getting ahead (7) 5 Section reserved for reviews (7) 7 True capital of Moroccan kingdom (5) 8 Feeling for the right gear (5,5) 9 Soft substitute for jam (8) 14 NCO stripes for police officers (10) 16 To arrange the relay is hard (8) 18 Crazy about Mum, in a manner of speaking (9) 20 Haul on the canvas to speed the sailor (7) 21 Sink a vessel carrying coal (7) 23 Rather annoyed when overturned (5) 25 Russian material? (5) 26 Check key lubricant (4)

Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Concede, 5 Sabre, 8 Volunteer, 9 Lot, 10 Thin, 12 Deadline, 14 To hand, 15 On foot, 17 Portugal, 18 Zest, 21 Out, 22 Bewitched, 24 Nadir, 25 Gunnery.

Down: 1 Covet, 2 Nil, 3 Etna, 4 Eyelet, 5 Strident, 6 Bellicose, 7 Entreat, 11 Inherited, 13 Encumber, 14 Typhoon, 16 Earwig, 19 Today, 20 Stun, 23 Hue.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Plaster, 5 Pearl, 9 Cam, 10 Note, 12 Repulses, 14 Make up, 15 Quorum, 17 Gradient, 18 Flow, 21 Tot, 22 Eye-opener, 24 Norms, 25 Tea leaf.

Down: 1 Plain, 2 Act, 3 Tail, 4 Railed, 5 Pendulum, 6 Ancestral, 7 Lump sum, 11 Take after, 13 Business, 14 Megaton, 16 Invert, 19 War of attrition, 20 Epha, 23 Nee.

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Indian Ocean island republic (10) 6 Biting comment (4) 10 Twelve (5) 11 Highly significant (9) 12 Liquefy (8) 13 Private teacher (5) 15 Mistakenly (2,5) 17 Sleep peacefully (7) 19 Use thriftily (7) 21 Official reports (7) 22 Allow to enter (5) 24 A salad plant (8) 27 Mouth organ (9) 28 Woman’s brimless hat (5) 29 Government (4) 30 In direct confrontation (4-2-4)

Down 1 Way of doing (4) 2 Vertigo (9) 3 Class (5) 4 Like (7) 5 Lacking purpose (7) 7 On all sides (5) 8 Unexpectedly (2,8) 9 Give order to (8) 14 Large domestic appliance (10) 16 Opposition to change (8) 18 Ludicrous imitation (9) 20 Deteriorate (7) 21 Name of three English kings (7) 23 Ethical (5) 25 Maxim (5) 26 Large group of cattle (4)

Today’s TarGeT Good 15; very good 22; excellent 29 (or more). solution tomorrow. yesTerday’s soLUTion cement cent comet comment CoMMenTed cote decent demote denote dent dote emmet emote emoted meet memento mete meted moment mote note noted teed teem teen tend toed tome tone toned toneme

call 0907 181 2585 for today’s target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

*SP: Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390

Misquote, Reflux, Earwig, Jowls, Portly. down: Splat, Himself, Avails, Scat, Who, Graze, Ought, Kebab, Jeers, Nod, Flow, Hatful, Odyssey, Exist.

Extra letter clues

0907 181 2560 (Deduct three minutes for each extra clue letter heard)

full solution

0907 181 2558

Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1

*Calls cost 80p per minute 21 plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

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PLay More Cros

The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, February 16, 2018

animals Animal matters Kim Aranha

The truth about potcakes

PETS OF THE WEEK

A dynamic duo

By The Bahamas Humane Society “Hi there! Nice to meet you,” says Leo. “Are you sure you’ve come to adopt me?” asks Timmy.

Once again we have a pair of brothers for your adoption enjoyment.

Leo and Timmy are multi-faceted dogs. They are friendly with other dogs, kids, and even cats! This dynamic duo of terrier mixes would love to be adopted together but that isn’t a requirement. They’re about one year old and were surrendered to the Bahamas Humane Society last year.

They’re more than ready for a family of their own. Do you have a place for Leo and/or Timmy in your life? If so, come in to the BHS to meet them, or call 325-6742 for more information.

Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Leo and Timmy are eager to meet you!

I

have been thinking about potcakes.

Yes, I have spent some time deep in thought about these amazing dogs. So much so that I decided to interview my four ( marginally spoiled) potcakes who live with me. First up was Chief.

“So,” I asked Chief, “what is it about potcakes that make you believe that you are so special?” He gave me a long and penetrating look and replied: “We do not believe or think we are special, we know that we are special. We are the perfect mixture of hundreds of different breeds.

Many of our ancestors were highly pedigreed dogs. We all got mixed-up together, and voilá, the perfect dog was created.”

All the while Chief is draped, and I mean draped, across my sofa taking up every available inch of space, so that I have to stand in order for us to have this conversation. Chief sees this as the way human-to-potcake exchanges should be conducted. “Oh, yes” Chief adds, “Bring me some strawberries please.”(Potcakes are very polite dogs, if you are polite to them.) Chief has recently added strawberries to the list of fruits he enjoys to snack on when they are on my plate and he comes over to where I am seated, his big head mere inches from my dish.

Clearly he knows that I brought them for him, and I am stealing his snack.

My next question is directed to smaller, black and white Dalmatian coated, Fox Terrier looking named Bella: “Bella, why are you potcakes so feisty and barking at everything? Passersby, doorbells, a plane flying over the house, a boat in the canal.

What makes you do this?”

Bella has assumed her favourite position on the back of another sofa, where she has a commanding view of the entire room. She looks down her nose at me and says: “We are exceptional guard dogs. Our sense of property is unique; our protective instincts are highly developed from living on the streets. My mother taught me at a very young age to protect what is mine. This house and the people

Timmy

in it belong to us potcakes…very simple really.”

Boss, my biggest and youngest at 80 pounds plus and only six years old, is catching 40 winks in the tapestried antique armchair in the entrance hall.

“Excuse me, Boss, how is it that you potcakes can be such wise and gentle souls?” One eye opens, then the next, a small wag of the extreme tip off his tail, and then the eyes close again. “Boss,” I say a little louder. “OK. It is very simple really,” he answers. “We come from a long line of dogs that have had to fend for themselves. Some of us have lived under cars and in the bush, our mothers taught us how to survive, how to find food and

Leo

water, how to avoid being hurt or run over. Have you ever watched a street potcake look both ways before crossing the street at exactly the right time? That is not by accident. Our wisdom comes from our noble lineage. Our potential for gentleness is also from our ancestors who taught us to tell the difference instinctively and instantly between good and evil…evil is bitten, good is licked… simple really! Now can I go back to resting?”

My last potcake interview is with Garmin. Garmin, who does not know how to fight but frequently starts fights, and then loses miserably. “Garmin, how is it that potcakes love their humans so very,

Boss, Chief and Garmin, left; and Bella, above

very, much and are so loyal?”

First Garmin has to jump up where I am sitting and tries to squeeze all 65 pounds of his slightly chubby self on top of me. “Mummy, I love you, I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU.” The tail is wagging and his eyes are melting my heart. My little fox-faced, naughty boy was found in Ball’s Alley near death, surviving on insects and rainwater puddles. He spent his first weeks at the shelter on drips, medication and slowly came back to health. Skinny with no fur, he chose me one day. “We potcakes are so smart, we know when we have it good. We know who are the humans who love us and in return we open up our enormous hearts and will love you with all our hearts and souls forever. You will never find a dog more loyal than a potcake.”

(Followed by uncountable licks and wags) All this time I have wondered what made these wonderful Bahamian dogs so special, I could never quite figure it out. And to think, all I had to do was ask them!

I love to read how there are potcakes all over the world and how proud their humans are of their exceptional intelligence and special gifts of loyalty, love, protection and the desire to please.

Oh, and did I mention, they are always hungry?

Yes, it’s official, the potcake is tru-tru Bahamian.

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 16, 2018

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