There are not many things that categorically identify as Bermudian. One of them is the Bermuda kite. While stringing together pine sticks and tissue paper is hardly unique to our shores, there is a craftsmanship, aesthetic and measure of success that distinguishes a Bermuda kite. Put one in a line-up and it is instantly recognisable. Why? Because it is a carefully crafted cultural icon whose traditions are slightly esoteric and passed down through generations via oral history. Successful kitemakers did…
The Consummate Bermudian
The Consummate Bermudian
Rigged for Success
Photo credit: ‘A Bermuda schooner yacht offshore’, oil on canvas by John Lynn, 1834. National Museum Bermuda. The Bermuda Rig, that innovative sail design that is still, some 400 years after it emerged on local waters, being used on…
April 14, 2022
The Consummate Bermudian
An Ode to the Easter Lily
Since its accidental introduction to the island in the mid-nineteenth century, the Easter lily has been synonymous with springtime in Bermuda. And while no one can deny its pleasing aesthetic, the plant's real value to the island is measured in…
April 13, 2022
The Consummate Bermudian
The Bermuda Longtail: Life in Flight
"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt; sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." This sage advice is usually attributed to Mark Twain, the writer and humorist with a deep affection and connection to…
March 15, 2022
The Consummate Bermudian
The History of the Dark ‘n Stormy
The Dark ’n Stormy is the inexorable concoction of Bermuda’s British history, a literal fusion of our merchant and naval traditions. That it is today one of only four internationally trademarked cocktails further reflects Bermudians’ entrepreneurial spirit and legacy of…
February 4, 2022
The Consummate Bermudian
Lobster Tales from Bermuda’s Outback
As remote as Bermuda is, our onshore environment is essentially suburban, with the wildlife consisting of birds, lizards and a bunch of feral cats and chickens. Almost nothing dangerous or exciting. Offshore is another story entirely, with our extensive coral…
January 8, 2022
