SANDY POINT, St. Kitts, November 2nd, 2012 - The chambalay is one of the oldest surviving fixtures of Sandy Point folklore. It is a simple handheld torch made from the hollowed stalk of the papaya plant and filled with absorbent crocus material to which fuel is added.
The green-stem torch traces its history as far back to the plantation system where, it is recorded; maroon slaves would use chambalays to light their escape to mountainous hideaways. ‘Chambalay’ later became a buzzword used in post-slavery villages to alert others of impending danger. By the mid-twentieth century, it was not uncommon to hear the chant ‘Chambalay, Police ah come!’, also a warning of a looming threat during the colonial years.
Though the exact origin of the word chambalay remains unclear, it has long been used to protect the interests of the small villagers and also to light the way to a new way of life—a kind of community empowerment, if you may. The torch is now a contemporary symbol of pride and even the word ‘chambalay’ represents a spirit of community togetherness. In Sandy Point, the local torch is a central part of an annual festival called Chambalay, hosted by Sandy Pointers Inspiring Real Improvement Throughout (SPIRIT), the largest community organization in St. Kitts.
The festival was first staged in 2010 as one of the group’s primary objectives was to revive community pride through culture and the arts. Community residents parade through the streets of the town with hundreds of chambalays and other cultural symbols including the iron band and the mockojumbies—both island crafts which still remain strong elements of Sandy Point heritage.
By its second year, Chambalay expanded to be a full weekend festival with grassroots sports and a Kart Part Game Day, an initiative named after a popular Sandy Point thoroughfare which was designed to bridge the gaps between the older residents and the young. Residents come in teams representing their various communities in Sandy Point and compete in old-school games for the year-long reign.
In its third year, Chambalay has now developed its profile as a revival of culture and folklore in the town. The festivities are geared to raising community pride, restoring and upholding community values and reuniting the peoples of the community with arts and entertainment. So, no longer is the chambalay chant used as a declaration of impending trouble, rather the torch is held high and the chant is a declaration of community pride and togetherness.
The exciting Chambalay 2012 schedules of events are as follows:
Saturday 3rd November- Guinness Street Football challenge at the Sandy Point Hard-court beginning at 8:00pm
Sunday 4th November- 3rd Annual KPO Games at The Alley beginning at 2:00pm
Monday 5th November- Chambalay Torch and Iron Band Street Parade at 6:30pm
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