Corn Islands' “Rachel” or Minstrel Show

Before television and radio gained popularity on the Corn Islands, community gatherings were a key source of entertainment for the islanders. One notable tradition that brought people together was the Minstrel Shows, locally known as Rachel.

Historically, the Minstrel Show originated in the United States during the 19th century. It involved theatrical performances by predominantly white actors who wore blackface makeup to humorously depict racial stereotypes of African Americans. However, the idea of staged performances has ancient roots, dating back to Ancient Greece.

On the Corn Islands, the Minstrel Show served as a form of entertainment where both young and old would gather, particularly in the South End neighbourhood, at the school building. Local men and women would artistically portray the daily struggles of islanders or reenact local gossip in a comedic manner.

According to oral history, this tradition was introduced to the islands in the early 1930s by a woman named Rachel from Pearl Lagoon. Consequently, the locals honoured her by naming the artistic performance “Rachel.”

The Rachel performances occurred year-round, with a higher frequency in November and December, usually in the evenings on weekends. Typically, an improvised stage would be set up, and sheets hung as a backdrop for the actors.

Most performances were spontaneous, with actors donning outfits to represent the personas they were mimicking. Some performances were mildly controversial, as attendees occasionally recognized that the portrayal hit close to home for them or their relatives. As a result, it became more common for children to avoid attending, although some would still sneak out to observe or peek from the back of the crowd.