Mr. Bobolee

By Ateebo

Mister Bobolee,
Doh play like yuh dead
All ah we done hear
How yuh make yuh bed.

Mister Bobolee,
Dey make yuh cry long tears?
An yuh still eatin’ licks, boy
After all dese years?

Mister Bobolee,
Yuh really have no spine?
Yuh still waitin’ dey believin’
Time longer dan twine?



Mister Bobolee,
Open yuh eyes and see
Dey go planass yuh backside
Until dey make yuh pee.

Mister Bobolee,
Yuh betta run fuh yuh life
Cause when dey done wid you
Dey goin’ fuh yuh wife.

Mister Bobolee,
Dey only dressin’ you to kill
Yuh lookin’ like a man
But dey take away yuh will.

Mister Bobolee
Judas turnin’ in he grave
How long yuh goin’ to hate yuhself?
When Jesus died to save?



Mister Bobolee,
Is more blows in yuh clothes
Dey tell mih “Bobolee waitin”
Is dey favourite pose.

Mister Trini man,
Get up an end dis farce!
An doh play yuh cyah hustle
We see yuh playin’ mas.

An youself, Trini woman,
An yuh like to show yuh groove?
Is kicks and blows dey sharin’
We betta make we move.

© 2006 - Ateebo
Reproduced with the kind permission of Ateebo.

..................................................................................................



A Note From The Gull
For non-natives, the Trinidadian Bobolee is an effigy of Judas Iscariot, the disciple, who according to the Christian tradition, betrayed Jesus Christ. In communities that still maintain the tradition, the figure is fashioned, usually by a group of people, out of old clothes stuffed with rags. On Good Friday, after having being left on display to contemplate its impending fate, the effigy is literally beaten to shreds by anyone who wants to have the satisfaction of giving “Judas” his just deserts. The execution of this “death sentence” is usually accompanied by shouts of “Beat de Bobolee!” and other colourful and derisive slurs and jabs. It is quite a spectacle to witness with the participants immersing themselves in the spirit of the event, with audible grunts and exaggerated gestures as they deliver the punishing blows.

Sometimes the design of the effigy takes a political twist and Judas is made to represent traitorous public figures and politicians and their unpopular policies or actions. Thus, the beating provides an avenue for “killing” two birds with one stone – the historical and contemporary Judases.

This custom is also practiced in many other parts of the world with perhaps the most spectacular being the Mediterranean inspired practice of Judas Burning or Quema de Judas. In these countries, large effigies of Judas are hanged and/or burned instead of beaten.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the word Bobolee is a colourful part of the local language and is used to describe an unfortunate individual who is habitually taken advantage of by others, or to describe the severity of a beating or humiliation, “Dey beat him like a Bobolee.”

Beat de Bobolee!!
Badaw!! Wadap!!
Take dat!! An yuh playin’ bad?
Bradaps!!
Eh heh? Is silvah yuh like? Today we go make yuh see stars!!
Katax!! Boodoop!
An yuh talkin’ back too?
Pow! Bataps!!
Dat one was fuh Jesus!
Boof!! Brapps!!
Dis one is fuh he poor sufferin' Mudda!!
Slap!! Bodow!!
If is more calpet yuh lookin’ for boy, jus' breathe!!!
Yessss, Manny boy, dat is de dam ting self. Bring dat cutlass ovah hyeh!!!!
Say yuh prayers, Mister Bobolee
Now... we go do fuh yuh!

Ateebo is addressing the Bobolee in us. Whether it is a virtue or flaw, many Trinbagonians, seem to have the ability to stomach abuse. It remains to be seen, if this trait will be our salvation or will grease a continued tailspin. He sees Trinbagonians as long-suffering Bobolees, created and trained and dressed for the role of “eating” blows. The writer is urging us to see ourselves as worthy of respect and to recognize that we are also part of the problem when we take the easy way out and pretend that we have no power to make positive changes. Our patience/passivity leaves the doors wide open to negative influences that have long begun to beat us and our country to shreds.

I’d like to hear what your thoughts are on this but you will have to tell me later. All dis Bobolee talk only makin’ me think about going down on the beach and chasin' a juicy crab. This gull gone!!

Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people,
Blessed be our day of awakening,
Blessed is my country,
Blessed are her patient hills.

Mweh ka allay!
Guanaguanare