A MAYARONIAN WITH A VISION

Sometimes we see others success and have no idea what they had to go through to reach where they are today. In a collaborative effort effort between Akeme Clarke who's blog is entitled "A call to all Entrepreneurs" and myself we would like to highlight an entrepreneur from Mayaro. Enjoy...

"My name is Nathan Thomas and I am the proud owner of Ice Shak. I came up with this name because it reminds me of where I came from and the family I grew up with. I am from Mayaro but I live in San Fernando. My parents also are from Mayaro and they were born into a family of ice makers/sellers. I grew up with my parents living from hand to mouth, selling ice from the old red fridge that we had bought from my Aunt in Pierreville which borders Mayaro. That fridge was so noisy we had to put it in the back. Growing up in Mayaro was fun for me as a child, doing what boys do best. Playing football, fishing and all of that, but times were not so easy back then either. I have seven siblings before me so you know things were hard for me. I looked at my parents work so hard to provide for all of us and I said I have to be the one to step out. And I literally did that. I did not get an education but I knew I could count money very well and I could make and sell ice as well, so that is what I did. I took the family business a little further. I saw myself doing more than they did and watch me now. I have my own place, my own business and I am very happy. I know to a lot of people what I have may seem small and insignificant but if I tell you, them same people does come and buy my ice."
Mr. Thomas can be added to the ongoing list of successful individuals arising out of Mayaro. Taking what little he had and transforming it into a business is a great success and in the world of entrepreneurship he is making a significant contribution.

South vendor partakes in sale of ice from Mr.Thomas

COCONUT AND IT'S BENEFITS

Coconut tree

When entering Mayaro there is a long stretch of coconut trees swaying overhead, approximately a 20 minute drive before you meet the village of Ortoire. Coconut is a crop that have always been in abundance in Mayaro dated back to its historical roots. Historian Louis Borde wrote, "The coconut trees in Bande del Este, Mayaro landed there when a ship from the coast of Africa loaded with coconuts wrecked off the coast of Mayaro."  These trees give the community a picturesque look and provide great shade along the shores of the beaches. 

 Coconut water is the ultimate thirst quencher and offers a tasty alternative to water. This pure liquid is packed with nutrients that yield an array of health benefits. 

Coconut-The fruit itself

8 BENEFITS OF COCONUT WATER YOU DIDN'T KNOW  

• Aids in Weight-loss Efforts. 
• Ideal for Picture-Perfect Skin. 
• The Ultimate Hangover Remedy 
• Facilitates Digestion. 
• Boosts Hydration 
• Reduces Blood Pressure. 
• Rich in Nutrients. 
• Compatible with Human Blood 

Take a read to find out what it really does and how beneficial drinking coconut water can be.

CRAB HUNTING

Crab catching is an engaging recreational activity especially when the crabs are caught for eating. The main crabs used as food in Trinidad are land crabs known as the Blue Crab and the Hairy Crab. The Blue Crab generally lives in muddy places and the Hairy Crab usually lives in swampy places.


One of the methods used for catching these crabs is to use a trap and these are usually made of wood, bamboo or wire. Despite the material that the trap is made of, the concept of the design is the same. The trap has a door that is open, but when the crab takes the bait that is in the trap the door either drops shut or falls shut and cannot be opened by the crab from the inside. To attract the crab, bait of either dried coconut meat or large pieces of hot pepper are placed in the trap. Here is a video I made of how to make a crab trap.

 Another method that is used, but is one for the really brave, is to spot the crab entering its hole and then to push your hand into the hole and grab the crab. The claim made by those who use this method is that the crab cannot open its claws in the hole and so cannot pinch very hard. 

Probably the most enjoyable way to catch land crabs is to grab them with your hands as they come out of their holes and traverse the beach. The best time for indulging in this method of catching land crabs is at night during a full moon with a high tide. During this time the crabs come out their holes and cross the beach to release their eggs in the sea. They can thus be caught going to the sea or returning after releasing their eggs. This method, if done with friends, can result in hours of entertainment and is guaranteed to result in laughter especially if someone does not hold the crab properly or firmly. The safest method for catching the crab is to grab the crab from behind using the thumb and index finger and holding the crab by the body with the fingers positioned behind the pincers (gundy). This method is safe because the crab cannot reach behind itself with its pincers. Mayaro is a well known area for this type of crab catching and many individuals engage in this night time activity while on vacation at these beaches. 

PARADISE

If you are looking for a nice relaxing place to spend time with your friends and family, Mayaro is the place to be. The Mayaro Beach which skirts the Mayaro bay is one of the main pulling factors that bring people from all over the country to this relatively remote area, for time away from the hectic city life.  With over nine miles of water it is the largest bay of the Atlantic Ocean.

Miles of coconut trees lines the shores giving it a soothing and relaxing feel, making it the ideal beach for long walks or just taking in the sunrise or sunset. There are quite a number of guesthouses and small hotels along the beaches and also several properties for rent around the more popular bathing areas, in case you were thinking of paying us a visit.

An early morning or late evening walk along Mayaro Beaches would give you the opportunity to see nature at its best. The area is frequent with visitors for long weekends and holidays, who come to experience the beauties of this small community. Campers are seen on the sea shores especially for the Easter season.

An endless shoreline awaits for endless fun. If you want something to relax your mind or simply just a getaway from everything around Mayaro Beach is surely what you want, you’re guaranteed a great experience.

WINSTON "Gypsy" PETERS

Winston Peters is a former calypsonian and present politician serving as the Minister of Community Development under the current People’s Partnership government. He first entered politics in 2000 where he served as the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Mayaro under the United National Congress and was re-elected in 2001, 2007 and 2010. Putting all politics aside, Gypsy is a famous calypsonian who has been recognized for being one of the world's best Extempo artistes winning over seven Extempo titles. He won the Calypso Crown in 1997 with his famous hits "Little Black Boy" and “Rhythm of the Nation.”

Gypsy was known for singing political commentary, one of his best ever composed was his classic 1986 release “Sinking Ship” which was considered by most to be the crowning blow that brought on the downfall of the PNM government, which had been in power for nearly 30 years. He went on to compose forty-four (44) outstanding calypsos within his career as a calypsonian. He has had a roller-coaster career that has reached the extremes of peaks and valleys. In 1988 he was awarded the Trinidad & Tobago Chaconia Medal Silver for his contributions to the development of Calypso Music. Winston “Gypsy” Peters is yet another successful individual birthed out of the soil of Mayaro. For this post I was honored to collaborate with my friend Chantal Thomas who sketched a photograph of Mr. Peters himself. For more portrait sketches feel free to visit her blog, The Sketch Paper Project .

Sketched By: Chantal Thomas

A DISRUPTION IN THE COMMUNITY

Photograph By: Shonika Greenidge

Hundreds of residents in Mayaro and surroundings are in distress after the horrific event following a few days of torrential rainfalls. High levels of water surrounded the homes of many leaving them marooned. For those who were already out their only option was to wait hours before a boat came to their rescue. 

The roads were left impassable, schools banks, groceries and other businesses could not have operate as a result of rising waters. Farmers suffered thousand of dollars in losses as they watched their crops being washed away. It has been the worst the community has experience in a couple of years. No one and absolutely nothing was speared from the hard hit of the flood waters, animals searched for safe grounds and a place of comfort, where they can only hope that the waters don't reach them there.

 

Coast Guards, Members of the ODPM and the Disaster Management Unit of the Rio Claro/ Mayaro Regional Corporation were all a part of the response team to offer relief. Food, water and medical supplies were distributed to affected residents since they were unable to leave their homes for the past two days. 

 

When one is affected the entire community of Mayaro is affected and in this situation hundreds are affected and all they can do is pray and hope that the rainfall would cease. My heart goes out to all those who were affected by this tragic disaster.

ORTOIRE RIVER

Ortoire River
Photograph By: Pond 5

The deepest river in Trinidad and Tobago is located here in Mayaro, the Ortoire River. It is one of the longest and widest streams on the island, running 50km. The Ortoire River forms the northern boundary between Nariva and Mayaro County and its mouth is located at the southern end of Manzanilla Bay where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This river is not just the largest but it also has a long standing history, this said river was previously used by ships to transport goods around the island.

Mayaro was one of the most isolated places in Trinidad during the 19th century even though it boasted rich plantations of cotton, sugar and coconuts. Its only link with the rest of the island was via the Island Steamer which operated from 1818-1928. There was no road to Mayaro and the overland route from Sangre Grande utilized the long, firm beach of the Bande L'Est (Manzanilla) with its thousands of coconut trees. At Point Radix, a headland juts out and obstructs the beach as a road which then turns inland. This inland road had to cross the mighty and broad Ortoire River, being navigable by boats for more than 15 miles. From the 1870s at least, a wooden punt served as a ferry bridge over the Ortoire.

Ortoire River Ferry 1914
Photograph By: Trinbago Yesteryear

On each bank was a bell and one had to ring it to signal the ferryman who would pull the raft over and take one across for a penny. Horses, buggies and later automobiles crossed the river in this way.

It is usually green in color, however during the raining season it appears brown due to sediment in the water.

I remember growing up as a kid my dad would take us to the river for a swim and to me this was the best experience ever. People from Mayaro and outsiders both join together to make a cook or be entertained by the young men who would jump of the trees and “splash” into the waters. The Ortoire River is indeed a historical stream of water that we the people can still enjoy today.

CHIP-CHIP

Chip-Chip shells

Chip-chip (Donax striatus), a bivalve with bluish white to pink shells that is found buried in the sand in the inter-tidal zone is abundant in Mayaro. Regarded by some as an aphrodisiac, chip-chip is a delicacy that can be prepared in various ways. The most common is curried chip-chip which can be eaten with almost anything; however I love it with a variety of ground provision. The water produced from this shell fish found its way into the calypso world, when in 1930, King Radio, a Barbadian calypsonian, sang, "If you want to keep the body in order, then lick me down with some chip chip water and if you think ah lie give some to you daughter." The chip-chip water is used to wash the substance inside the shell before cooking or some people uses it to cook the chip-chip itself. 

Digging for chip-chip in the sand can be a fun activity especially if it is done in a group. What you see on the sand is a closed shell which you then have to open to get the chip-chip and it's water. When visiting Mayaro you can take a walk along the beautiful beaches and collect some chip-chip to make a great cook.

Chip-Chip on the sea shores

During the Dry Season, February through April, there is literally a bounty of fresh chip-chip (mini clams) at your feet.

Tip To collect chip-chip

Look for clusters of small dimples in the sand close to the waters edge at low tide. Now, simply dig them out with your hands and put them into the kitchen sieve you brought along and wash off the sand. Then either scald them by pouring a little boiling water over them to make them easier to open, or place them in clean, clear seawater for a day, to give them time to expel any sand in their gut, and open them by hand.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MAYARONIAN

Edric Connor Park Mayaro

When you enter the village

of Mayaro directly opposite the gas station you would see Edric Connor Park, but many don't actually know who Edric Connor is and what he has done to be given a play park in his name. Connor was a pioneering calypso singer, folklorist and actor from Mayaro. He migrated to England in 1944 where he worked and lived until his death from a stroke in London at the age of 55.

Connor was responsible in 1951 for taking Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra to the Festival of Britain. In 1956 he recorded a Manchester United Football song entitled the "Manchester United Calypso".

In 1952, teamed with a singing group, he released Songs from Jamaica, a groundbreaking LP of Jamaican folk music credited to Edric Connor & the Caribbeans, on the Argo label. Acting came to dominate Connor's career during his final decade, in which he worked in several major epic movies and some prominent British television shows.

Edric Connor

Between 1956 and the date of his death he acted in several
plays, becoming the first black actor to perform for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Connor acted in a total of 18 films and was best noted for his role as Daggoo in Moby Dick. In the 1960s, he appeared on British television in three series: Danger Man; The Avengers; and Man In A Suitcase and later performed in many more. 

In 1956, with his wife, Pearl Connor, Edric established the first black theatrical agency in the UK. In 1961 Connor became Britain’s first black film director when he directed Bound for Lagos, commissioned by the government of Nigeria. Edric Connor dedicated his life to promoting black arts and campaigning for the rights of black artists in Britain. In 2002, in recognition of Edric Connor’s achievements, Screen Nation, an organisation that honours black actors and performers and that has been called the ‘Black Bafta’s’ created an Edric Connor Trailblazer Award for people in the television and film industries. Today in Mayaro we have the Edric Connor Play Park in honour of his great achievements.

Edric Connor Park

References

Artist Biography By Bruce Eder 

Edric Connor