Lawrence Brumant, one of Dominica’s cultural icons, and the man whose name became synonymous with konte, (story telling in creole), has died.
Dominica News Online has learned that Brumant, who had been ailing for some time, died at the Portsmouth Hospital on Friday, September 23, 2016.
According to former Chief Cultural Officer, Raymond Lawrence, Brumant has left his mark on the cultural landscape of Dominica.
“He has left us a rich legacy of outstanding performance, especially in the area of konte. He was so skillful at it and he won so many Independence konte competitions and also National Day competitions which was before the Independence, that he became known as the ‘King of Konte’ in Dominica. So, he certainly can be considered a cultural icon in terms of the major contribution he made to Dominica’s cultural development,” Lawrence told Dominica News Online in an interview on Saturday.
Brumant’s contribution to the art of konte telling in Dominica spanned more than forty years. He first competed in 1967 and his consistent success at the National Konte Competition would see him emerge as the dominant konte teller on the island. He also represented Dominica at various story telling festivals in Jamaica, St. Croix, Martinique and Guadeloupe, among other places.
Brumant received the Golden Drum Award from the Cultural Division in 1987 and the LIME Creole Lifetime Award in 2013.
This is how Cultural Officer, Pearle Christian, described the konte maestro while reading his citation at the LIME awards ceremony: “Mr. Brumant has an unflagging resolve [and has] committed himself to perpetuating the tradition of conte, creole story creation and performance.”
Brumant, was born in the village of Vieille Case and according to Christian, was inspired by a brilliant story teller Patrice Eloi. He relocated to Paix Bouche and it was there that he developed his chosen art form.
“The King of Konte” also made an active contribution to community development in the northern part of the island which extended way beyond his involvement in the Northern District Cultural Improvement Committee.
“He was involved in local government for many, many years, with hurricane disaster committees and in the Church; also with the Banana Growers Association and several community groups. So, he was a community person as well,” former Chief Cultural Officer Lawrence stated.
He said Brumant’s passing is a sad loss to culture in Dominica.
“He was really a master of the konte, a very outstanding konteur…..I would like to extend condolences to the family and friends of Lawrence Brumant,” Lawrence said.
He called on Dominicans to pay tribute to Brumant and to “salute and honour his memory for the contribution he made to keep Dominica’s culture and heritage alive…..”
The late konte teller’s documented works include a book entitled “Ki Manye Domnik Twouve Nony” (How Dominica got its Name) and an album of his kontes.
He was truly the King of Conte. His contes were captivating. I always repeat this peice “Feme paka love yo ka Like”
Condolences to his family. He and my dad were real cool. He was really good at telling those konte.
The Vital family in the US wishes to extend sincere condolences to Mr. Lawrence Brumant’s family, and friends all over the Commonwealth of Dominica and to all those who knew him and may have been blessed to hear his voice around the world.
It is very certain that the present and new generation will find nourishing comfort in his legacy. He did honorably serve his purpose in Dominica’s Cultural contributions and did it very well.
He must be remembered as such. He will certainly rest in peace.
Condolences to the family
Thanks for enriching our culture
May your legacy live on for generations
Rest in Peace.
Rest in peace Sir, now you get to tell some Konte to the man above. I’m sure you can make him laugh too. My deepest condolences to your family and friends
Lawro, rest in peace. I was happy to see and speak to you for the last time in August. Thanks for the contribution that you made to DA and Paix Bouche. You served many years on the Paix Bouche village council giving of your effort to make Paix Bouche a better place. It is ironic that you left this world during the time Paix Bouche is celebrating its feast. Years gone you would be performing at the cultural show at the school ground. Further, during this time you would be traveling with the Paix Bouche cultural group and we would be thinking of how many first prizes for Paix Bouche during the Independence celebration–konte for sure, patois song for sure, bellaire for sure with Robelline Walter. Those were the days. Paix Bouche will miss you.
Sincere sympathy to his family and all those whose lives he touched in some manner.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace. Amen!
Give the man a state funeral and finish with that…
A great Dominican. RIP
A loss to our culture indeed,… gone, but will always be remembered whenever we say the now-famous opening lines of Konte
“Messier quick?
” Quack!”
Condolences to his family
My condolences to his family. May his rich legacy outlive him long after he’s gone.
Messe quik….quack……..ebe coute mwe bien…mwe ka palais ou commision………………… This should be a picture with noble icons such as Mable Cissie, Alwin Bully, Raymund Lawrence, Pearle Christian or members from his cultural group he has helped and served. A decent man indeed.
My ole friend, Brumant. Goodbye Gods Blessings and shower you for the decent good you have done for your village, community and a country, a service that will be well remembered.
Thanks for your wisdom, laughter, decency and Condolences to your family and the people of Paix Bouche.
Mese’ Quick; Quack. Zo ye yesterday yo te ni yon goume fight cote laplas market la. Yo te ni boutey, bottle, stone, woche. Garcon sa te yon goume fight.
RIP Mr. Brumant. WE have lost another icon in our Culture.
#OneLoveDominica!
Daddy you will be missed, so,so,so much. I love you even in death. But we as your children lives on,your legacy will as well. Thank you for the many years of being our daddy, our first love, our protector. Sail on Daddy, sail on LH, sail on Lawrence, sail on Master of Konte and sweet sleep in Jesus.
The incomparable, irreplaceable Lawrence Brumant! Yes, “cultural icon” is a most fitting title for him! His death is a national loss!
may he R.I.P
I remember when I was a kid standing in awe listening to you cast your magic as you brought the characters to life through your entertaining kontes. You had me mesmerized from the beginning to the end of the story. You were a great entertainer and cultural icon, and you will be missed greatly. Thank you Sir, and when the thunder rumbles I will look up and smile knowing that heaven is cracking up with laughter at one of your kontes. R.I.P Compere Brumant.
RIP Mr Brumant. Was such a good soul. You will surely be missed
My sympathy to his family. RIP King of Konte. These kontes were very funny and thel best I’ve ever heard.
R.I.P. Mister Brumant.
You were the master of your craft.
Dominica will miss you greatly, even as we honor you this upcoming Creole Season.
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends. Our nation have lost a true cultural icon. One thing though, the Cultural Division must somehow engage these people to teach and pass on the culture to our younger generation, if this does not happen then our culture will be lost forever.
I give thanks for Mr. Brumant’s sterling contribution to the perpetuation of Dominica’s culture. May his soul rest in peace.
Is that the late Patrice Eloi from the South-eastern village, Riviere Cyrique, that Ms. Christian is referring to? If so,as a child growing up I remember Mr. Eloi and witnessed some of his performances.
So, with the King gone who are the new Prince and Princesses of Conte to become the monarch who ascends the lofty throne this year? I think we may be getting a Queen this year.
May he Rest in Peace!