Book Review…A brilliant revival of a dying art

Mar 29, 2015 Book Review…, Features / Columnists

Book: “Mammie’s Folklore Stories”
Author: Eva David-Swain
Reviewer: Dr Glenville Ashby

Nostalgic, vivid and imaginative. These are just a few words to describe “Mammie’s

The book cover of Mammie’s Folk Stories

Folklore Stories.” With hardly any notice, Eva David-Swain has emerged from obscurity to become one of the premier griots with this stirring rendition of Caribbean folklore.
In this inspirational work there is every element that makes for an exemplary piece of story-telling. It is here that the mysterious figures that have frightened children in bygone days come to life – douens, Papa Bois, Soucouyant. You name it. Throw in a pinch of vernacular, some Sophoclean irony, and poetic justice, and you have something special. Indeed.
Arguably, David-Swain may have thrown a lifeline to a dying art. She adds colour and life to each character and invites the reader to become part of the experience, no matter how haunting and phantasmagoric its nature. Not that every scene is thrillingly frightening. No, there is pedagogy – enduring philosophies and lessons that beg attention.
Papa Bois is thought provoking, pricking the conscience of all who hear his piercing word about our ill treatment of animals: “…but my pets, these agoutis will surely die if you carry them home. First, they accustom looking for their own food and they search for what they like to eat. Second, you would like for people to lock you up in a cage away from your family and friends with no place to run and play. Eh? Well now, you see all these animals with me? All of them is my pets, my children. My children don’t trouble anybody, but people like to hunt wild meat even though they could get beef and pork and chicken He gave the boys a hard look, his eyes becoming blood-red and huge, and they screamed in terror.”
And there is mention – ad infinitum – of stories told by grandmothers and mothers to their enthralled children. David-Swain’s message is clear and uncompromising: This is what the family needs today. Maybe, we should heed from the lessons of the past if only to temper the social problems we face.
David-Swain deftly weaves stories and characters. She fires her first salvo with ‘Mango Pyung’ that recaptures the good ol’ days when kids had that adrenaline rush when stealing mangoes and boasting about their stealthy accomplishments. Here, Deshi is the main character willing to chance fate. His luck runs out as he is chased by douens in a hilarious scene.
“But what had him frozen to the spot, was when he noticed the boy in the straw hat whom he taught was Joshie was floating up the steps of the house, and he was not wearing any clothes so early in the morning! And his feet were pointing backwards!! Oh Gawd! Oh Lord! Is really douen. Holy Mar! Mammieeee!.”
In another tale: ‘Ma Bailey’s Calabashes.’ the writer blends the daring personality of Deshi with that of Arielle. In ‘Buck Baby,’ there are even guidelines on how to handle douens. “They don’t do anything to children, only play with them. That is what Grandpa say. But you must say your prayers as soon as you seem them and they wouldn’t do you nothing.”
And a soucouyant? A mixture of salt and pepper thrown on her skin oftentimes does the trick. And oh! There is always the La Diablesse to add another dimension to this lugubrious world.
Unfamiliar with these strange terminologies? Worry not. A glossary is aptly provided. Everyone is pulled into this edgy, cryptic and fantastical world. Tale after tale compels and grips the reader.
Throughout, intrigue, curiosity, temerity compete with fear and anxiety. No doubt this is vintage Trinidad and Tobago folklore. But David-Swain’s work transcends any one island. It appeals to traditionalists wherever they might be. It challenges modernity and the alienation it has wrought on families and societies. Auspiciously, the writer has revived a form of literature that gasped and gasped – cheyne-stoking – fighting for its due place. This is no easy feat, especially in an impersonal, disconnected world where heritage has lost its relevance. Sometimes dead and forgotten!
Surely, if only for her dedication, ever true to the spirit of ‘Sankofa’ David-Swain is deserving of our highest literary honour.

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Ratings: Highly recommended
David Swain can be reached [email protected]