Keeping Culture Alive Through Native Traditions

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – For Elizabeth Nixon, Bahamian culture should be cherished, so generations after her will know the beauty of straw work.

From the days when Africans brought the secret of genuine thatch, to Loyalist and Seminole weaving styles passed down through centuries, Nixon says plaiting has always been the foundation of our straw industry.

Today, she shared how she’s passing on the tradition through teaching.

Elizabeth Nixon – Straw Vendor

“I was inspired by my grandmother and she tell us don’t let the shops go…in their days they use to call it stalls, don’t let the stalls go, and because I was inspired by her I kept the tradition up, and I inspired my little grand girl to do so now, she is learning how to do it.”

Elizabeth Nixon – Straw Vendor

“I teach it in the summer during summer times, I teach it during summer school. The children are excited, even the little boys, little boys, little girls, they are excited.”

I also met Rudell Bain, an 88‑year‑old monarch of straw in the Bay Street Market.

She says keeping traditions alive is a part of Bahamian identity and duty.

Bain says she taught all of her grandchildren how to plait, but she wishes more would take the initiative to learn.

She says even tourists revisit The Bahamas and stop in awe when they see her work and amazing designs.

Rudell Bain – Straw Vendor

“They come here, they take picture they meet me plaiting all the time, or whatever I doing, they love it and they would say now this what I use to…this what I use to when I first came here from a child, this what I saw and this what I like.”

Now the next generation is stepping in.

17‑year‑old Desiano Brown, who was inspired by his father, carves wood with passion.

Desiano Brown – Wood Carver

“For the new generation like me being young myself I think everyone should get into a trade or at least something that could help The Bahamas…”