BUSINESS & LIFE: Madam Wob Dwiyet – a review

Congratulations to Mrs. Veronique “Ma Boyd” Nicholas on being sashed “Madame Wob Dwiyet 2013” and to all the other contestants who participated in the show. I love the Madame Wob Dwiyet Show, and while I may not attend the Miss Wob Dwiyet, I have only missed a Madame Wob Dwiyet because I have been out of State on the day of that show.  It is just heart-warming to see the older folks proudly displaying their talent and the Wob.  I love the Wob!  When you step in one, it automatically transforms you into a matador and you have no choice but to “strut your stuff!” Your shoulders go up, your back is straightened and your head goes up.  I am convinced, I become taller, a full extra inch!  Combined with your headpiece and beautiful jewellery, albeit mostly costume, you feel like the matriarch of the family, the queen; the one who holds court and behave accordingly.  This is why my heart was hurt with the handling of the Wob by Mrs. Germaine “Lady Jockey” Letang, one of the contestants of the Madame Wob Dwiyet Show.  I will return to this later.

As I speak of the Wob, there is a burning issue for me.  Mrs. Delia Cuffy-Weekes and Ms. Aileen Burton (I hope I have spelt the name correctly), two of our cultural gurus and icons, whom I respect and love, have indicated that the formal Wob Dwiyet is the one made out of non-madras cloth.  Logically, this does not make sense to me:  I don’t understand how the more expensive material was/is the one used for the everyday event.  Personally, while I like some of the non-madras Wobs, my preference is for the madras Wob Dwiyet.  Another issue, with the exception of Mrs. Joan Frampton on Friday, every other contestant and the Madame Wob Dwiyet 2012 wore a petticoat with the coloured ribbons.  My understanding was that the coloured petticoat was only worn with the Jupe.  I may be wrong for I would think the organisers of the show, would have advised the contestants accordingly.  Okay, I have had my say, now let’s get on with the review.

I enjoyed the show.  It was for me a wonderful break after a week of long hours of work.  I missed the introductory round but I was informed that the round was full of jokes and if it were anything to judge by, we were in for a “Show of Shows!”  Round one, first contestant, Mrs. Huguette St. Hilaire performed a mini skit and then ended playing the flute.  She played beautifully.  The skit in my view detracted a bit from the performance, as she should have devoted more of her time to playing the flute.  I never understand why people, who can sing, dance or play an instrument, resort to skits or other activities instead of singing, dancing or playing an instrument.  These are gifts I have either not been blessed with or developed sufficiently.  I used to say often when I was younger (I don’t now) that God knows why he did not give me the gift of singing, dancing or playing an instrument (I did go to piano lessons as a child and again as an adult however, I confess while I love it, this is not my strength) for the world would not be able to contain me, and he does not want me to perish!  I digress!  Let me get back to the show.

First round, second contestant, Mrs. Joan Frampton.  I was disappointed.  Mrs. Frampton is a cultural icon in Dominica and I came to the show with high expectations.  I expected her to win the talent round hands-down.  She can sing and dance all of the traditional dances.  I expected to be dazzled with a combination of dances and singing.  Mrs. Frampton forgot the words of her song, the drums could barely be heard, there were at least two exchanges of words between Mrs. Frampton and her drummer, and by the time Mrs. Frampton began to dance, the energy was gone, and if ever there was a situation of “too little, too late,” this was one sure one.  This was also a reminder that the judging begins when the show begins!

Then came Mrs. Masylin Massicot, who came with a “conte” about Monsieur Williams and Monsieur O’Neal.  While we, the audience, occasionally had to help her with the names, the moral of the story was strong.  It included appreciating what we have and the people in our lives, making wise choices and looking before we leap.  The crowd loved Mrs. Massicot, a 76 year old, mother of eleven.

Then contestant four, Mrs. Germaine “Lady Jockey” Letang.  Her talent was part skit and part-singing.  Mrs. Letang fully decked in red, told us about her love for the Prime Minister and sang, “Children obey your parents,” acappella.  This performance lacked coherence and I thought the song was not targeted to the audience, for while there were some children at the Show, this show is mostly attended by adults.  I reasoned that this might have been one of her popular songs from her competing days as “Lady Jockey.”

Finally came Mrs. Veronique “Ma Boyd” Nicholas.   From the time I heard the entrance song, “Moin sortie hord habitacion pour vend marcher,” I knew we were in for a treat.  She came dressed in a black and white madras dress tied around her breasts and waist and a basket of provisions on her head.  She told us friends were coming and when they come, they want everything Dominica has and so she was going to make a “braff”.  She had one “to warm the heart and feet” before cooking.  Well everything went into that “braff”, from chives and onions in whole, okra, carrot, and my friends smoked herring, messier marie.  The crowd also got into the performance, shouting “in the braff”, when she was adding her ingredients.  And I did not tell you about the size and the shininess of that pot!  It could safely feed us all at the Arawak House of Culture.  Oh what fun!  I told Ma Boyd if this were the way broth was made, I finish eat broth!  Yesterday, at the supermarket, when I saw smoked herring, I bought some to put in my broth!!!

In the second round, the ladies came out in the Wob Dwiyet.  They moved and glided, and for the most part displayed their Wob with grace.  Mrs. St. Hilaire came out in a Wob, which fitted beautifully and was complemented with a purple foulard.  I felt her lipstick was too red for the purple foulard and the impact would have been better with a purple or lighter shade lipstick.  She moved well, but did not execute well the pick up of the dress, which is one of the highlights of displaying the dress.   Mrs. Frampton redeemed herself in the second round!  I loved her Wob and it fitted her well.  She moved with “gam,” she was happy and joyful and one could sense that she was in her elements.  I was happy!

Then came Mrs. Marcellin, who had already won my heart in round one.  When she came out she stood still for a moment to take in the crowd and to give us an opportunity to appreciate her.  She moved slowly and gracefully, displaying that Wob in all its glory.  While some contended she was too slow, I argued she was moving gracefully and showing off every aspect of the dress and was sending a powerful message that we need to slow down.  She was moving, as a popular song says, “nice and easy!”  She was followed by Mrs. Letang, who did not appear to be comfortable in her Wob.  It appeared too big and fitted poorly.  There was no grace in movement and there was no display of the dress.  The pickup never happened.  Many laughed.  I was sad for such poor execution and display of the Wob.  Mrs. Letang however appeared oblivious and took all the time allotted to her and maybe some parading on stage.

Finally, Ma Boyd appeared, a vision of beauty in a joyfully patterned Wob, which fitted to perfection.  She moved gracefully and deliberately, displaying every aspect of the Wob, similar to Mrs. Massicot, just at a slightly faster pace.  She walked with confidence and her mannerisms were in total contrasts to her first appearance.  What a transformation, confirming my position that when you put on that Wob, you become a better you!!  When she pulled out that fan, at that point, the round belonged to her and so did the Sash!

The organisers of the Madame Wob Dwiyet 2013 Show need to take a few bows for a job well done!  The show started on time and flowed beautifully.  The performances before the show, between the rounds and before the results were well chosen and well executed.  The Sisserou Singers, Lady of Song, Ophelia Olivacee Marie, Sibouli Dancers, Grandbay Cultural Group, Waitikubli Dancers, all need to take a bow.  The joy, which the performers emitted during their performances, was palpable.  The young and very young people in the groups indicate strongly that culture is alive and well in Dominica. The judges did a great job, and I don’t think anyone objected to the results.  There are just about two things I would change:  seven contestants instead of five and maybe a bigger venue for this was a sold out crowd!  Many people came but had to leave, as there were no more available seats.

This was time well spent, an energy giving time!   I say Thank You to the organisers, contestants, performers and my row mates, for a great night out!  I had, in the words of Nathan, “big fun!”  I enjoyed myself.  I was blessed!  Thank You and May God Continue to shower you with his blessings.

Until we meet again, may the Lord continue to Keep Us in the Palm of His Hands!