Kassandra Lippincott
What to know about this historic island…
A small island off the East Coast of the United States in the Atlantic Ocean holds a tremendous amount of culture in spite of its particularly small land mass. At a whopping total area of 53.3 sq. km or 24 miles, the overseas British Territory holds an infamous amount of uniqueness. Connected by causeways and surrounded by nothing but the ocean, the island holds beauty around every corner. Whether it’s the pink sandy beaches, fish sandwiches, or their national island drink, swizzle, there is a new experience just waiting to be discovered.
The most common experience for tourist is normally through cruises as the island hold three ship ports where visitors take a shuttle to the main beach or shopping center. Bermudians refer to their one and only shopping strip full of various dining and drinking spots as “town” or their only “city”. Tourists can take a shuttle to get a little taste of the island’s culture.
The island is very dependent on tourism, as it is their main form of income with over 350,000 visitors every year with their peak season running from April through to October. What is so notorious about the island is their yearly Cup Match. Week-long events that revolve around a two-day cricket game where the island is split in two, Somerset, the West End of the island, and St. George’s, the East End, face off to celebrate their love and passion for their country. The main reason for such a celebration is to honor their Emancipation day.
“Emancipation day commemorates the end of enslavement (August 1, 1834); Mary Prince Day, named after a once enslaved Bermudian who became a hero of the abolitionist movement in Britain.”
GoToBermuda
Oddly enough, Cup Match only became a nationally recognized holiday because too many Bermudians would not attend work in order to participate in the two-day cricket event.
What to do on a Bermudian holiday
Our week of festivities began with Beachfest. The island gathers on the beach of Horseshoe Bay with one main goal, “strengthen the camping tradition, encourage togetherness among visitors and locals, and promote the celebration and education of one of Bermuda’s most important historical events.” Hundreds of people pitch their tents and play their favorite music while singing and dancing all day long. You see people in the ocean floating on various forms of tubes and pool noodles while others are lounging around in their beach chairs enjoying the beating sun. This occurs every year on the Thursday before the Cricket game.
When it comes to the day of the Cricket game, Bermudian culture truly shines. Located in St.George is a stadium where every local gathers to cook, eat, and drink as they celebrate their love and passion for their country. They truly show their care and love for one another as they offer what they have to any passerby. There are vendors who sell island favorites like the fish sandwich, play the infamous game of Crown & Anchor, or enjoy one of the various drink combinations that always includes Goslings Rum. This day-long event is the main build-up of the entire week but it doesn’t end with that.
What’s so interesting about their way of celebrating their country’s emancipation is what used to be called the Non-Mariners Race. This event particularly fascinated me as the main goal is to lose. Previously located in Hamilton Harbor, was a race to gather any object that will sink the fastest hence the term Non-Mariners. Although today, there is no longer a race as you can put the pieces together that purposely sinking objects in the ocean it’s the best idea.
Instead, hundreds of boats gather and link together in Mangrove Bay where you’ll find boats tied together and people drinking, listening to music, and simply just floating in the water on their various tubes and noodles. It’s a day-long event where people hop from one boat to another or choose to swim their way from point A to point B. There are no phones involved and is truly a disconnect from the outside world to simply enjoy the current moment. This event is what tops off the week-long celebration and leaves Bermudians ready to rest up before they start back to work the following Monday.
Being so fully immersed in a different country’s culture is something that I would recommend to everyone. The Bermudians have a special way of making everyone feel included and welcomed regardless if you’re a tourist or not. Their hearts are full of pride and most of all kindness. Their sense of community and passion is unmatched and it was a beautiful thing to experience. My recommendation is, if you are to ever visit the island make sure to book the dates for the last week of July to the first week of August and experience for yourself the community and culture that Bermuda has to offer.
I highly recommend reading the full article on Non-Mariners as it is quite the story. You can click here.
Sources:
History:
- https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/bermuda
- https://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_0000a0.htm
- https://chewstick.org/bermudas-beachfest-emancipation-celebration/
- https://www.gotobermuda.com/inspiration/article/cup-match-time-bermuda
- https://www.gotobermuda.com/inspiration/article/bermudas-national-holidays
Food & Drinks:
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/59am58/how-the-fried-fish-sandwich-became-one-of-bermudas-most-important-cultural-staples
- https://tastecocktails.com/the-rum-swizzle-recipe-and-history-how-to-make-a-rum-swizzle/#:~:text=A%20Rum%20Swizzle%20is%20a,held%20by%20novelist%20Alec%20Waugh.
- https://www.goslingsrum.com/the-story/
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