Dominica has lost one of its calypso pioneers.
Seraphine Hyacinth aka “The Mighty Kon Lanbi” has died.
Hyacinth’s sister, Ruby Hyacinth-James, confirmed that she passed on Friday, May 29, 2020, after a prolonged illness.
Kon Lanbi was the first and only female calypsonian involved in calypso in Dominica in the early 70s. Seraphine earned the name Kon Lanbi, thanks to her dad, Elon Hyacinth, who was a fisherman who used the conch shell (Kon Lanbi) to announce his catch.
The Mighty Kon Lanbi began singing Calypso in 1970/71 in Portsmouth, while she was in her early 20s. Her first calypso, I’m Gonna Win the Calypso Crown, was written by John Alexis, and it included lyrics like:“make the men hold their tongue, I’m gonna win the calypso crown, and make Portsmouth women strong”. Alexis was also Kon Lanbi’s brother-in-law and teacher at the St. John School. In 1972, Kon Labi sang Go Back to Africa and her 1973 song was entitled, Kon Labi is the one we want in 73. In 1974, Seraphine sang Free for 74: I don’t want no heavy load, all I want is fet, fet, fet, a song which was written by Livingston Castle (Might Spencer).
Kon Lanbi was one of four Portsmouth calypsonians who participated in the national calypso competition in Roseau in 1974. She placed 4th. that year. When asked about the reward for her achievements, Seraphine said, “at that time they were not paying. You just sang for free and for fun”. The other three north calypsonians were Tremendous, Mico, and Tiger. Some years before, Kon Labi had qualified for the national competition after performing at the Rovers Calypso Tent.
The Mighty Kon Lanbi migrated to St. Martin in 1975 where she would continue singing calypso for a few years. In St. Martin, she went by the name: Super Sey.
Hyacinth’s kaiso mentors were Mico, Spencer and the Mighty Sparrow. She said she loved kaiso because she loved carnival “and carnival is calypso.”
Hyacinth converted to Christianity, and as a result, her love for calypso waned, but according to Alex Bruno, the author of this article, she was “gracious enough” to grant him an exclusive interview in 2014.
Bruno said Hyacinth’s full story will be released sometime in the near future, to coincide with the delayed release of his book, “Historical Perspectives of Calypso & Soca.”
Seraphine “Kon Labi” Hyacinth was the pioneer woman in Dominica Calypso. Her sister, Ruby, says that she was the Calypso Rose of Dominica. She certainly paved the way for Juliana “Jah Lee” Alfred to become the first calypso queen in 1987, Avis “Lady A” Bruno, who was the only female kaiso finalist of the 80s and Tasha “Tasha P” Peltier – Dominica’s first female Kaiso Monarch in 2011.
Seraphine “Kon Lanbi” Hyacinth, who will be laid to rest in St. Martin later this week, is a major loss for calypso, Portsmouth and Dominica.
Dominica News Online joins the author in extending sincere condolences to her family and friends.
Below is an audio clip from Hyacinth’s interview with Alex Bruno.
May she rest in eternal peace and my deepest condolences to her entire family and friends.
may she RIP and family sorry for you all lost bless
You could not have met a person as genuine as her. Just absolutely beautiful lady.
Wow, wow, wow… An Icon of calypso from Possie has passed and not a peep like what HE did yesterday on Q95 for Jeff! Had our sister been an American entertainer, would she have been so ignored by DEM? Luke 4:24. Thanks Alex. Kelvin, it is not that they got it wrong, it is because she is from Portsmouth. So to the likes of MassInTheCemetry and those on DNO who keep calling Portsmouth people stupid, the question I have for ya’ll: If you were to go to war today, which group would prefer behind you: Portsmouth People or those from Roseau Central? As Professor Edward Scobie once told me: we did not take no crap in Possie, and Labour knows dat! You see, we in Possie understand the social dynamics and political landscape that permeates the political culture in Dominica: a colonizer’s inheritance, difficult to shake, that has separated our people in DA, including those who claim to be on the frontline for change.
But RIP SiS, because we got you, we know Possie people got your back too.
I cannot believe you Cokeys would post such garbage on the death of your sis Seraphine, such a wonderful lady. You just confirmed what Roseau people keep saying.
RIP Seraphs you were well loved. This breaks my heart.
Please tell me what they are saying, that we are stupid. Put your real name here if you hold the tentacular fortitude to do what I did, it you are human person enough to do so.
Boy, don’t be ignorant!
So what?
Because she sang, does not mean she must be honored; how many people in positions has died in the country, and are dying everyday and you do not see their names on DNO?
Portsmouth people been called stupid has nothing to do with it; I so often called Portsmouth people stupid, is because Ian Douglas for more than twenty years and Roosevelt Skerrit been kicking you all around, yet every five years, for a few drink of rum from; Ian make you all go crazy; hence, you vote him in office.
One would have thought with the advent of Ross University leaving the village of Portsmouth out of work, and so many people owing banks, that would be enough to rid your soles from the Douglas syndrome; rather than firing Ian Douglas, and Roosevelt who are obstacles in your life’s!
What did you all do?
Compensate them by returning them to power.
The dead woman is simply human, nothing special, she’s “unknown!”
WAWWW!!! A women’s right fighter in the 1970’s.
Sending love and strength to our big loving family with the front door open to the whole community in “Lagor”, Lagoon Portsmouth, Dominica. We pray that each and everyone of the family be comforted knowing that the love flowing from everyone who went through the doors, the yard and the lives of the family lives on forever. Sleep peacefully Seraphine Hyacinth (Might Kon Labi)
Calypso comnentators in Dominica have been so wrong on the first ever woman calypsonian in Dominica. Thanks for setting the records straight Alex Bruno.
Her smile says it all- an infectuos personality; loving , kind, generozs and always willing to help anyone
We love you Sey.
Condolences to Cris and family.
Deepest condolences to the family of Seraphine. I remember her quite well singing in the Rovers Calypso Tent which my brother Mighty Spencer was very much involved in. May the Lord comfort you during this difficult time
My condolences to you and family. Can’t remember her but if memory serves me well, here dad and my dad were first cousins. Cousin Ruby, Earl and the rest of the family, may God grant you guys the strength to deal with your lost in this most teying times.
Rest in peace my longtime friend.Keep smiling in heaven.