Music and Culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Preserving the Islands’ Rich Cultural Heritage Through Music
Old Conch is sweeter than the fresh conch.
Mashed potatoes, peas and cheese.
You might think you’re reading a menu or the opening paragraph of a restaurant review. The words are actually lyrics from songs sung by 64 year old Lovey Forbes who has made a life and career out of keeping alive the music and culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Sharing the folk songs of yesterday and writing music about what’s happening in the community today is vital to preserving the islands’ rich cultural heritage. A couple of islanders are doing just that.
Lovey Forbes
One island musician committed to sustaining traditional music is Lovey Forbes, a talented musician and recording artist who sings and plays a variety of instruments. Born Lovey L. Mozomdee Forbes on North Caicos, he was introduced to music at age 3 when his father bought him a harmonica. Forbes performed many years in the Bahamas writing songs about the islands and played with various bands including Cooling Waters, Smokey 007, The Exciters, and Revolution of the Mind. It was an exciting time of performing, developing as an artist and recording, but he eventually longed for home.
In an archived article written by Forbes, he explains that he “left the Bahamas in 1976 and came home to help root up, and establish our roots and culture, of the Turks and Caicos Islands.” He writes that since his return, he has “been busy training Turks and Caicos Islanders to play musical instruments and to perform with them.”
In the early 1980’s Forbes, inspired by other international genres such as jazz, calypso and reggae, transformed the traditional sounds of ripsaw (music created with steel handsaws that are scraped and bent) and pioneered a new style called “Combina”. Since then he has been actively involved in promoting ripsaw music by organizing various jamborees and festivals and encouraging new bands.
Where to See Lovey Forbes
Currently, he performs on North Caicos from November to April at Ms B’s Restaurant on Kings Road or every other Saturday at The Barracuda Bar & Grill. He often plays with “The Whitby Trio Band” along with his son Correy Forbes on keyboard and Herby Swann on guitar. As well, he sometimes plays at the Cabana Bar located at Ocean Club on Providenciales.
David Bowen
Another person integral to preserving the music of the Turks and Caicos Islands is David Bowen who served as the TCI Cultural Ambassador for 15 years. Bowen studied dance and theatre with the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance and is an accomplished bass player. He founded the band Bowen Arrow, a group that plays a mix of classic rock, blues, funk and R&B.
Bowen has worked tirelessly to re-discover, identify and encourage national culture. A key part of that identity is music. Bowen has spent hours researching and recording historical details and talking with music pioneers. He has spearheaded festivals and numerous special events that celebrate island history and traditions.
In addition, Bowen visits schools and has coordinated youth performances all with the goal of educating young people and connecting them with their cultural roots.
In an interview with Rebecca Bird of the Turks and Caicos Weekly News Bowen states, “I also love the fact that they (youth) see the value of our cultural traditions and have a better appreciation of their parents and grandparents.”
Where to See David Bowen
Bowen thoroughly enjoys sharing the music of the Turks and Caicos by performing it to new audiences. If you’re travelling to the islands, you can see him at the TCI Cultural Centre at Turtle Cove where he shares an insider’s look at the islands through storytelling and music. If you book a tour with Concha Woncha Tours, the Cultural Center is a featured stop. You can also watch Bowen perform with Bowen Arrow on Friday nights at Somewhere Cafe & Lounge in Grace Bay.
Sustaining the music and culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands is happening because of the efforts of passionate artists and mentors like Lovey Forbes and David Bowen. Just like the island cuisine, music is rooted in the past. Whether you serve up the mashed potatoes and peas on a plate or in a musical signature, it’s an integral piece of island history to be celebrated.
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Learn More
(IUMA: Lovey Forbes n.d.) retrieved from:
https://archive.org/details/iuma-lovey_forbes
(Music of the Turks and Caicos Islands n.d.) retrieved from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Turks_and_Caicos_Islands
(Rediscovering the Hidden Culture, Folk Songs 2002) retrieved from:
https://www.timespub.tc/2002/06/rediscovering-the-hidden-culture-folk-songs/
(Rediscovering the Hidden Culture 2002) retrieved from:
https://www.timespub.tc/2002/04/rediscovering-the-hidden-culture/
