Gombey Festival Honouree, October 15, 2006
Mr. John James Warner was born in St. Kitts in 1907 and some six years later was brought to Bermuda – a distant place where he spent the rest of his life. Steeped in the Culture of his birthplace and living in an area where the immigrant population proudly celebrated their heritage, the young John James soon came in touch with the man who was to become his mentor, Mr. Charles Norford, the father of the ‘modern’ gombey movement.
Although a stonecutter by trade and profession, John James’ other pursuit was that of a boxer where his prowess and ability earned him the nickname “Round One”.
But history will forever record the contribution that Mr. Warner has made to the preservation of the gombeys – having started his own troupe in the mid-1940s.
The richness and depth of his commitment to this art form involved the entire family. The regalia were made by his wife, Mrs. Iona Warner, who was ably assisted by daughter Janice Warner. Janice continues the tradition to this day. Upon his death, the leadership of Warner’s Gombey was passed to his cousin, ‘Merry Mice’ Darrell before being handed over to his son, Llewellyn ‘Termite’ Warner.
Although traditionally a dance performed by men, it was John Warner’s daughter Audrey that broke into the ranks, out-performing many of her male counterparts. Allan Warner, son of Audrey and grandson to John Henry, is a proud gombey tradition-bearer in the classical sense which earned him and Warner’s Gombeys recognition by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. As circumstance would have it, Allan’s daughter has now given Bermuda the Alisa Kani Girl Gombeys troupe.
This is a testimony to the deep roots which form a part of the JOHN JAMES WARNER tree.
The Department of Culture salutes JOHN JAMES WARNER, an indisputable giant and tradition-bearer of the Bermuda Gombey folk art.
