Gombeys to fly up for Goater’s big farewell

Kent Shrimper · Apr 20, 2006

Latest news from the Shrimperzone official paper of choice, The Royal Gazette.

A Gombey troupe is flying to England early next month to help celebrate the final game of soccer player Shaun Goater’s illustrious career.
Mr. Goater, who is hanging up his boots after a 17-year stint as a professional in the UK, will play his final game for Southend United against former club Bristol City at Roots Hall, Essex, on May 6 – and the event is fast turning into an Island spectacular.
The Shrimpers, are putting on a ‘Blues Bermuda Bonanza’ on the final Saturday of the season to mark Mr. Goater’s retirement as well as celebrate what is expected to be a second consecutive promotion for the team.
“We always do something special to mark the end of the season and we thought a Bermuda day would be a great way to thank Shaun for all he has done for us this season,” said Shrimpers marketing executive Nina Drew, whose club are just one win away from securing a place in The Championship, England’s second highest division.
Ms Drew added:“It is going to be a wonderful day for all the fans and we are looking forward to enjoying a party atmosphere.”
The Gombeys trip was financed by sponsorship from four Bermuda companies with ACE, the Aon Group, Bermuda Forwarders and the Shipowners Insurance & Guaranty Co. stumping up the approximate $20,000 costs to send over the dancers for what should prove to be a massive advert for Tourism.
ACE are also sending over Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, former national team colleague of Mr. Goater as well as the coach of the Triple Crown winning North Village this season, as a representative.
National media interest in the game is high due to Mr. Goater’s celebrity profile – garnered mostly through his goalscoring exploits with Manchester City and the now-famous ‘Feed the Goat and he will score’ chant – and the club is hoping to make the most of the day by also running a best and worst Bermuda shorts competition for the sell-out 12,000 crowd.@EDITRULE:On the Ball with Shaun Goater: Page 20 Gombey Troupe

Andy_S · Apr 20, 2006

Goat to dive!?

Apologies if it has already been posted but I haven't noticed it!

The Goat's most recent article.

Kent Shrimper · Apr 20, 2006

a Gombey Troupe

Kent Shrimper · Apr 20, 2006

And for the intelectuals amongst the SZ community

A tradition that began when black slaves were first brought from Africa and the Caribbean. "Gombey" is derived from an African word meaning rhythm. It was originally intended to be performed only on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day - the two days of the year when slaves were given a rest from their labors. Today, Gombey dance and prance on Boxing Day, New Year's Day, other important events such as football (soccer )matches, at festivals or parades and holidays, also at hotels and guest houses. There is a method of collecting contributions from spectators. The musical accompaniment is usually a kettle drum with two snare drums, covered with goat skin, and a beer bottle fife which produces the sound of a flute crossed with a whistle. Their acrobatic Bermudian members whose routines are based on African, American Indian, Biblical, British "mummers" and West Indian lore and traditions. Each group is a "crowd." The Captain wears the most elaborate costume and is the crowd leader. The Wild Indian and Trapper have a perpetual chase. The Chiefs also carry large tomahawks and shields. Warriors or Choppers include children of families. Under the Captain, the dancers have duets and solos simulating combat. Once, they also re-enacted biblical stories like David's fight with Goliath. Gombey troupes include Warner's Gombeys, Norford's, the Shakey Smith Troupe, Richardson's, and Wilson's Troupe. Books include Gombey Boy and Bermuda Gombey by American born Bermuda author Mrs. Louise Jackson.