BASSETERRE St. Kitts – AS one walks through the town of Basseterre or anywhere in St. Kitts for that matter, one would observe many persons scattered about selling different varieties of fruits – from mangoes to coconuts to avocados to genips and even pineapples.
On the road sides the ‘Bobo Dreads’ would be seen with sugar-canes in hand yelling “Bobo cane, soft and juicy, nice and sweet!”, and walking around with a white bucket would be Samande ‘Ras Iya’ Reid. Found in this bucket are some of the tastiest tamarind balls around!
Ras Iya, as he likes to be called is a young man who goes around Basseterre and the surrounding areas daily, selling tamarind balls that are prepared by a lady by the name of Debbie. Reid told SKNVibes the tale of how he started out selling.
He said that it all began on his way from a funeral one day a few years ago. “I was on my way from a funeral one day and I saw Debbie, her daughter and another lady trying their best to sell the tamarind balls and I decided to go and assist them. I went and called out to people saying ‘Get your tamarind balls’,” he explained.
He said that from there, Debbie approached him to seek his assistance in selling the tamarind balls which he agreed to do.
Reid is no average seller, as he has his scheduled six day routine. He starts out early at mornings between the hours of eight and nine.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays he can be found around Basseterre and the airport area. On Tuesdays and Thursdays Reid will be seen in the vicinity of the Industrial Site and the Hospital. Reid calls Saturday, the ‘Run Wild Day’ as he can be found any and every where around town selling.
Reid has his regular customers whom he says look out for him on specific days and he often acquires new customers. He explained that the current economic downfall has had some impact on his sales but that does not stop him from going out as he always leaves his daily post with an empty bucket.
When asked about the Tourist response, Reid explained that they are always fascinated by what the tamarind balls are as they are not familiar with them but those that patronize are always blown away by the scrumptiousness.
Tamarind balls prices are EC$0.75 for a pack with five balls.
