THE Kumina experience has always been shunned by many, who view it as a form of obeah, but to Oliver "Bongo Baucho" Barrett, King of Kumina, it is a part of the African culture which has always been his way of life.
"People tend to look at it negatively and not as an African culture. Every religion has a power, it is not that it is obeah, because I really don't understand what is obeah, but power can be good and it can be bad, " he explained.
The 33-year-old Kumina King, who is the nephew of the renowned Kumina leader Imogene 'Queenie' Kennedy, said he has been involved in Kumina all his life.
"I have been involved in it from I was in my mother's belly because both my mother and my father used to dance it. A matter of fact I have been playing the drum since I was three years-old," he said.
At age seven, during a spiritual ceremony, Bongo Baucho's aunt bestowed upon him the title of prince of Kumina, with the understanding that one day he would be crowned King- but only after he was able to pass certain requirements.
It was however, until after she died, that he was crowned because Bongo Baucho said he had moved somewhat away from his calling. "A lot of things came to me in visions and so I knew the time was ready."
Today, he is the leader of his own kumina band called the Kicongo group. The group which consist of 20 people is said to be in high demand to play at weddings, birthdays and nine nights.
Bongo Baucho believes that Kumina is growing. "Nearly every place in St. Thomas you can find Kumina groups," he said.
