Traditional Xmas Celebrations in the Turks and Caicos
Salt Cay Preserves Xmas Traditions With Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
It’s Christmas in the Caribbean.
So, let’s celebrate with a ceremony and some salt.
On a very small island in the Turks and Caicos Islands this special “seasoning”, or rather “season” of the year is celebrated literally in the place where salt began.
Salt Cay is a small island located off Grand Turk whose economy rested completely on the salt industry from the late 1670’s to the 1960’s. The seawater was directed in ponds and the salt was harvested from the evaporated brine. Islanders gathered the salt, piled it up, and stored it in sheds. So important was the salt trade to the economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands that an early version of their national flag depicted piles of salt. It is in one of the original salt sheds that the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is held each year in December.
It’s a very simple ceremony event, but the location and some of the islanders involved echo the rich cultural history. Salt was the lifeblood of the island. It provided an income to islanders. It brought challenging work. It brought the world markets to this part of the Caribbean, and it took a bit of the Caribbean out to the world. While the salt trade is no more, the visitors continue to come to Salt Cay and the locals continue to celebrate their heritage.
Salt Cay Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is a traditional Xmas celebration in the Turks and Caicos that knits the local community on Salt Cay together. Local islanders decorate the shed and the tree, and string lights and holly around the interior. Typically emceed by local government officials such as District Commissioner Noyal Hamilton in 2013, the ceremony includes Christmas poem readings and carol singing as well as the mainstage event, lighting the Christmas tree.
This most important task is reserved for the oldest member of the community. For a couple of years now the honour has been given to Miss Melvina (known as “Mellie”) Simmons, a resident who turned 90 in 2014. Her husband William also worked in the salt industry. Together they raised seven children, and Mellie still lives in the home he built for them. When the lights shine on the Christmas Tree in that salt shed, Miss Simmons represents more than just community. She is a living link to the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
This connectedness is celebrated at the Christmas Tree Lighting event. It’s a time when community, culture and creativity coalesce into an evening of a Christmas spirit unlike that found anywhere else. The Christmas season is celebrated and the Caicos culture is honoured.
Behind the ceremony stage, the wall of the salt shed that overlooks the dock is latticework. So, once the lights are aglow and the decorations are up, they can be enjoyed by the outside world. The simple salt shed of Salt Cay becomes a beacon of light for the world to see.
Travel to Salt Cay
If you are staying at Villa del Mar during the holiday period, you can plan a day trip to Salt Cay to experience the Annual Christmas Ornament Contest or the Christmas Tree Lighting with ease. Regular arline service from Providenciales to Salt Cay is provided by interCaribbean Airways and Caicos Express Airways.
Contact Villa del Mar to arrange your stay on Turks and Caicos this Christmas season.
