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EveryParampara

Traditions of Hamilton

The capital of Bermuda, famed for Gombey dancers, kite flying on Good Friday and the fish chowder with sherry peppers.

Hamilton is a small port city in Bermuda, with pastel buildings and a mix of British and African heritage. The Gombey dancers, with masks, capes and drums, perform on holidays, and on Good Friday, Bermudians fly kites as the island's Easter tradition. Cup Match, a cricket match each summer, is a public holiday.

Gombeys and Good Friday kites

Gombey troupes dance with whips and drums in flamboyant costume of mirrors and feathers, in a tradition blending African, Native American and British influences. On Good Friday, families fly large homemade kites in the shape of crosses, with hot cross buns and codfish cakes picnic. Cup Match is an August cricket festival.

At the table

Bermuda fish chowder, thick and spicy with dark rum and sherry peppers, is the national dish. Codfish and potatoes, a Sunday breakfast, hoppin' John, and the Dark 'n' Stormy cocktail are local. Loquat jam and Bermuda onion are eaten. Hot cross buns are baked for Easter.

Signature traditions of Hamilton

Also part of it, and being written: Gombey dancers (The dancers.), Bermuda fish chowder (The soup.), Dark 'n' Stormy (The cocktail.).

A trail idea for Hamilton

  1. Front Street Stroll the harbour.
  2. Fort Hamilton See the view.
  3. Bermuda National Gallery See art.
About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

KindSpiritualFestivalRite of passageTable customSeasonalDressPerformanceEtiquetteCraftGameFolkloreHomeCeremony
MealBreakfastLunchDinnerSupperTea-time and snacking customsTea, coffee and drinking ceremoniesSweets given and sharedFeasts and festival mealsFasting and breaking the fast
🇧🇲 Hamilton, BermudaBermuda Day A public holiday in Bermuda marking the start of summer activities with a parade and road race.Festival 🇧🇲 Hamilton, BermudaGombey A Bermudian masquerade of dance and drumming with African and British rootsPerformance

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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