SILK COTTON TREE

Above are all different photos of the Silk Cotton Tree. In image 12, this was taken in Aruba and image 13 was in Tobago. These trees have existed since the 1900’s. The silk cotton tree, also known as Kapok, has been a vital part of folklore stories since the Pre-Colombian times in Trinidad and Tobago. (a) (Bissessarsingh, 2020) Persons who reside in Trinidad believed that spirits inhabit in the roots and branches. It has been seen as sacred by the ancient Mayas whose attitude is described as admiration and distress. (a) (Bissessarsingh, 2020)

Throughout the Caribbean, there are several names for the silk cotton tree such as ‘God tree’, ‘Devil tree’, or even, ‘Jumbie tree.’ (b) (Avad, 2017) In the 19th century, people were convinced that the silk cotton trees would move from one spot to another to join other trees to consult with each other.

According to legend, “Gang Gang Sara, the African witch of Tobago, climbed a silk cotton tree in Les Coteaux and tried to fly back to Africa. She forgot that because she had eaten salt (reminiscent of the ol’ higue or hag or sucouyant) she could no longer fly. Gang Gang Sara died instantly. Her grave is one of the tourist sites in Tobago.” (b) (Avad, 2017). Nearly two decades ago, there was a severe storm which made the tree collapse. What is Port of Spain now; use to have an Amerindian village called Cu-Mucurapo where it is known to have silk cotton trees.

References

a) Bissessarsingh, Angelo. “The Jumbie Tree.” Trinidad Guardian, April 16, 2020. http://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.384798.e3f7338027.

b) Avad_S. “Legends of the Silk Cotton Tree and the Demon, Bazil, Caribbean Folklore.: Mythology & Folklore Amino.” Mythology & Folklore | aminoapps.com. AminoApps, September 5, 2017. https://aminoapps.com/c/mythfolklore/page/blog/legends-of-the-silk-cotton-tree-and-the-demon-bazil-caribbean-folklore/kLeg_XPcGu44MmZ4JP4zoXjz3GW14xwWDe.

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