When it comes to highlighting the
cultural heritage of the Caymanian people, the community of East
End pulls out all the stops.
On Tuesday during its Pirates Week
Heritage Day, residents took visitors a step back in time. The district put its
heritage on display, to good effect.
East End Primary School
students showed keen interest in trying
their hand at making a seine, (a net used to catch sprat fish) and sharpening
knives on the rubbing stone from resident Jerlow Rankine. They also learned the
art of washing clothes on the wash board, how to roast corn and sampled a huge
array of homemade cakes, jams, stew plums, fried fish and coconut tarts.
The usual nostalgic exhibits were
displayed, describing life in the district many years ago, and a caboose fried
up mouth-watering fish and fritters, tempting visitors with its aromas.
Visitors also browsed extensive
displays of domestic utensils and work tools from the past, as well as a table
devoted to books that must have helped to while away the evenings for older residents,
Also on display were old bottles,
plantain trash beds, washing machines, record players and stamp collections
from yesteryear.
Grand Cayman’s most easterly district has always been
considered a premier spot for local cooking, and it was there in
abundance. Stew turtle, lobster, crab,
conch, whelks and chicken with all the trimmings were on sale, and stalls did
good trade.
In
the day, visitors enjoyed music by the North Side Kitchen Band and the
Panoramers, and in the evening party-goes enjoyed music by Island Vibe
and Regeneration.
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