Page 2 - "The Book" - Ma Gaston

When she became aware of her loss, we learnt that "The Book" had been inherited from her grandmother, Paulina Nathaniel-Betaudier aka "Ma Gaston".  According to my mother, Ma Gaston did not only have that very desirable meal making quality, 'a sweet hand', she was also skilled at making 'creole medicine'. This knowledge did not relate only to those which were intended to be 'drank and rubbed' but also to the compositions which aided 'personal hygiene', nevertheless, Ma Gaston was not unique or unusual for her time.

As the people of Trinidad and Tobago become part of the what is now identified  as 'The Global Village' things indigenous and traditional to the sister islands are now positively endangered.  Throughout the Caribbean region, as elsewhere, people were either totally self reliant in feeding, healing and ensuring they were 'nice to be near'. This ability was retained to the 1950s, assisted  perhaps by the two World Wars which halted European and North American's exporting,  production and marketing to us, items which have now replaced what was called 'Creole Medicine'.

Interestingly with entry into the 21st Century, there has been a worldwide growth of interest in what the 'developed nations'  described as 'herbal remedies' and 'alternative medicine' and this has encouraged a revival of interest in 'Creole Medicine' locally. It is my goal to be part of the small but determined group of Trinidad and Tobago nationals who want to match the 'imported' with the 'indigenous and traditional', so that the future generations would know that their ancestors and predecessors were not a helpless and ignorant lot.

Hopefully we might be able to motivate at least some of the younger generation to look inwards while seeking inspiration and motivation for survival systems and career options, and in the process, helping to determine a positive future for Trinidad and Tobago.

......to be continued.