Mama Shars Caribbean Food

Montserrat - The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean

By Sharmen Frith-Hemmings

Above: Sharmen wearing the Montserrat Madras

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The words of Rick Tyson in his song Nature Lovers Fantasy, takes me on an imaginary journey of pure niceness.

“Let’s take a cruise lets enjoy a vacation, leaving the hustle and the bustle behind, it’s the warmth of a tropical island. Come on and share that delightful sensation of being surrounded by the sand and the sea, in an atmosphere of tranquillity. There’s a beautiful unspoiled gem of creation, the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, Its Montserrat come and see, a nature lovers’ fantasy…”

As the sweet sultry tones of the music continues to surround me, I can’t help but remember the beautiful beaches, the rolling mountains and the relaxed way of life that I grew up in. I am reminded of the friendly and respectful way we great each other, the sound of our own dialect a language that means so much to me. Montserrat in all its royal beauty gave me a culture that played one of the greatest influences in my life.

A people that prides themselves on their cooking ability produces some of the tastiest dishes that your palate will ever experience. Our pride and joy Montserrat’s national dish is ‘Goat Water’. Don’t let the name fool you, this smooth tasting brown stew made of goat meat and exotic spices, served with fresh baked bread rolls or rice is not to be confused with the Jamaican Manish water. One taste of this culinary masterpiece will have your taste buds screaming for more. The smell calls you from a mile off and as the meat melts in your mouth you cannot resist the call for seconds.

I remember the large pans cooking away on a wood fire on every special event that I attended from fêtes to weddings. No occasion would be complete without Miss Mono’s Goat water, she was our village (Salem) Queen of cooking Goat water. This dish is made authentically from the meat of a ram (male) goat and includes spices such as ‘erbs and chibble, (the local names for thyme and spring onions), scotch bonnet and cloves. In addition to the spices, the smoke from the wood helps to give this culinary creation its unique taste. Traditionally this dish can be difficult to cook as it requires a certain consistency that is neither too thick or thin and the colour that is just right.

Above: Goat Water

In looking back the historic influences clearly shows the fusion of our African and Irish ancestry. The stew bares some semblance of the Irish stew but is heavily influenced by the African spicy flavour.

Goat water is not the only thing that is unique to Montserrat. We also have national dress made from the Montserrat

Above: Montserrat National Flower, Red Heliconia Above: Montserrat Masquerade Above: Montserrat National Dress Above: Montserrat Oriole Tavez Aymer

Madras this too is worn on special occasions one of which is St Patrick’s day. Our St Patrick’s day celebration is affirmation of our heritage and includes a fusion of colours and costumes that reflect the combination of African and Irish heritage. On this day we remember our ancestors who gave their lives so that we can have freedom today. The day represents the beginning of our ancestral bid for freedom from slavery. And reminds us of the plight of our ancestors on March 17th 1768 where the African slaves on the island planned a failed uprising - nine slaves were hanged. The uprising was set for that day because the Island Slave Masters and Overseers were Irish most of the Island would be drunk and distracted.

However, plans of the enslaved reached the ears of the Overseers and they were ready when the slaves arrived. Nine slaves were killed including the Leader Cudjoe and another 30 imprisoned and sold off the Island. The unwritten history told by our ancestors as we grew up, explains that as a warning to other slaves of the consequences of revolting, Cudjoe’s Head was hung in a Silk Cotton Tree in the middle of a village. The village now named Cudjoe Head.

In typical Montserratian resilient and creative style, we turned the day into an opportunity to celebrate and educate the world of our unique Afro-Irish history. The day became a national holiday in 1985, and since then has developed into a 10-day celebration, of parades, parties, lectures, and excursions, honouring the rebellion, celebrating the Island’s African and Irish history.

On St Patrick’s day people gather for carnival like parades, a sea of green is seen across the whole parade with revellers wearing either the national dress or the colour green. Amongst this the Masquerade dancers stand out in their colourful red costumes, performing the traditional Masquerade dance. The beating of drums, the tall hats and masks and the dances steps are an expression of respect for out African ancestors and protest against the Irish slave masters.

I could go on about things that are unique to our Island. The national flower which is the Red Heliconia that grows wild in the mountains of Montserrat.

The Montserrat national bird is the Oriole (Icterus oberi) is a medium sized Icterus bird found only on Montserrat. Originally, they could be found on the three forested mountains of Montserrat the Silver, Central and Soufriere hills. However, the volcanic activity of 1995 and 1997 has destroyed at least two-thirds of the population. Threatening habitat loss and prompting its classification as a critically endangered species with an estimated population of between 200 and 800.

Now that I have shared that delightful sensation of my Island that has been branded worldwide as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, it’s time to come back to the UK to a little town called Burnley in the County of Lancashire, where I have come to settle. Here you can Find Mama Shar’s Caribbean Cooking my little unique Caribbean cooking establishment, where you can order ‘Goat Water’ for your special occasion. You can see pictures of the national dress and flower hanging on the wall. You too can be transported to the Island with our warm greeting and friendly atmosphere. Where we honour my Island’s traditional saying ‘Montserrat still home, still nice’.

M 5 Brennand Street, Burnley BB10 1SU E info@mamashars.com N 07988 890974 F @mamashars I @mamashars

MAMA SHAR’S CARIBBEAN COOKING

We boast authentic, delicious and affordable Caribbean meals and Celebration Cakes. We can work with any budget and give you amazing flavour and homemade taste.

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Photography credit: John Cox

MAMA SHAR’S CARIBBEAN COOKING E info@mamashars.com N 07988 890974 FI @mamashars

SHAR FRITH EVENTS #E info@sharfrithevents.co.uk N 07988 890974 FI @sharfrithevents