Faces of Jamaica [Part 9 of 10] Lloyd the "Bongo Man"

Lloyd the "Bongo Man"

Lloyd the "Bongo Man" and my son 2007

Our accommodations were at hotel Samsara on the cliffs. We got a deal that I just couldn't pass up on - airfare plus room for 1,500 USD for two, 10 days in total.

We walked West End Road into town one day. It's a sort of treacherous walk - winding road, no sidewalk, just a well worn path until you get into the town's centre. Once we got through town, we passed by all the restaurants and shops lining the roadside, Burger King being one of them - ya you read that right... a Burger King in Negril. Yikes, who would have thought.

Negril's roundabout

At the roundabout, off to the right, we decided to take Red Grove Road - a new direction for us with different sights than before. At this point, we saw this sign pictured below.

Just behind the pictured sign, there was a diligently working rasta with his head down, immersed in his trade by day. He was constructing a bongo from nature's resources. I say to my son, "hey, let's check this scene out."

We approached slowly, as not to disturb the man. He acknowledged as all Jamaicans do, "Yes mon, respect."
We quickly struck up conversation with the "Bongo Man."

His real name is Lloyd, but we later found out, hence the title of this post, that Lloyd was strictly known as the Bongo Man in Negril. One extremely talented Jamaican with a profound and richness in stature that simply cannot be described in words.

He was very well spoken. A strong Jamaican accent, but well-versed and easily understood. He reminded me of BURNING SPEAR. He told us all about how he constructs his bongos from start to finish. He uses dried cedar wood and stretches over a goat hide to produce a rich and vibrant sound that is music to the ears.

I knew I wanted to take one home with me. Well, not for me, but for my son. I always try to purchase souvenirs that have a memorable story to go along with them. Gifts that can be cherished and bring back memories of moments in life we hold on to forever.

My son asked, "how do you play?"

Lloyd responded, "pick out one you like, son, I will show you."

He proceeded to play. The sounds were simply amazing. Indescribable through any words I could ever transcribe on to paper. On the street in Negril, Jamaica, Lloyd the "Bongo Man" was playing for us a beautiful solo rasta got soul music.

Lloyd playing us a song

The sounds were vibrant, produced from only the palms and fingertips of his well seasoned hands. He sang, too. His voice was soulful, reminding me again of The Burning Spear. I was in awe. One of the coolest experiences I have from my times to Negril.

We purchased the bongo my son had picked out. The one Lloyd had been playing. He said, "don't let the mice eat your bongo, protect the skin, hang it high off the ground, and keep the skin conditioned."

Ahh, words of wisdom from the master "Bongo Man" himself.

We took this picture of him, printed it, and tracked him down on our next trip in 2010.

In 2010, we went back to the spot on Red Grove Road. To our dismay, Lloyd was no longer set up at his usual spot. He must have relocated. We showed the picture to people and asked around. Finally someone that knew. A rasta told us he had packed up and moved. He was now working from his van just outside the crafts market on Norman Manley Blvd.

We trekked around for a while just to find him. We eventually did, and we gifted him the picture as a memento to remember forever.

Now, close your eyes. Can you hear the rhythmic beat of Lloyd playing the Bongo?

Yes mon,

Respect -

@s-irie

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