SPOOKY tales about roaming spirits and jumbies were an intrinsic part of Carion Baird-Job’s youth in Les Coteaux, Tobago’s folklore capital.
She also vividly recalls having to enter her home, back first, when she got in late at night, as way to ward off the evil spirits that might have followed her.
And if a man or woman desired a particular individual as a lover, she said, Les Coteaux was the place to go.
“People regard Les Coteaux as the village that is full of necromancy, folk tales, superstitious stories and any time you want to do somebody something go ‘Leckitoe’ (as Les Coteaux is sometimes pronounced),” Baird-Job, 57, told WMN, bursting into laughter.
“Even our politicians fan the flames with that narrative when they mention Leckitoe on their platforms in their quest for power.”
Baird-Job, who describes herself as a “child of the living God,” wears many hats and is a livewire in the community. Outspoken, expressive and engaging, she is a dramatist, storyteller, director, producer, event host and cultural activist.
For the past seven years, Baird-Job has also been the president of the Les Coteaux Close Connection Cultural Club, which hosts the village’s annual Tobago Heritage Festival presentation, Folktales and Superstitions, one of the most eagerly-anticipated of the season.
In the past, Les Coteaux’ presentations have explored universal, relatable themes: love; jealousy; hurt, infidelity; deceit, trust, unity, greed, among others.
She told WMN this year’s presentation, which is being held at the Tablepiece Recreation Ground, will again “give life” to the village’s vibrant traditions.
“People tend to believe that stories and rituals we perform are real because we make the superstition come alive on stage. So this year’s presentation will be something to look forward too as all the others.”
Not wanting to divulge too many details, Baird-Job said the play is titled The Duke of Lekitoe.
It tells the story of brothers Alick and Mandingo Duke, who own two separate slave plantations.
Alick is cocky, greedy, advantageous and a womaniser while Mandingo is good-natured, compassionate and level-headed.
[caption id="attachment_1022702" align="alignnone" width="943"] Carion Baird-Job, second from left, with members of the Les Coteaux Close Connection Cultural Club. -[/caption]
“Alick is running the plantation willy-nilly. He is looking at all of the young slaves girls and he is looking for relations although he has a wife with two kids, whereas the other plantation is being run fairly with the slaves are treated properly. Dingo does not beat his slaves but empowers them.”
Baird-Job said at the end of the play, Alick loses everything.
“It is a case of crave all, lose all.”
As usual, Baird-Job, who has either played a wife, mother, sister, or best friend in presentations over the years, has a leading role in this year’s production.
She plays the head slave on Alick’s plantation, in charge of the household and all of the female slaves.
“I enjoy whatever role I play because I am alwa
