Back Then

Oct 22 2023

Back Then Podcast artwork

In August 2021, I had the honor to interview people who grew up on the island of St.Martin right before the arrival of pipe water, electricity and tourism. We talked about many subjects through which we discover pieces of a authentic caribbean people.Thank you to:
• Jeanine and Etina Arnell,
• Frantz and Fabien Gumbs,
• Olga and Rosette Gumbs,
• Alicia Weinum,
• and Ginette and Mercedes Fleming

For sharing with me pieces of their past, pieces of our history
Brought to you by Stéphie Gumbs through Nansi's Office

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Episode 7 - Traveling for School

Oct 22 2023 22 mins

School as the main activity of children means that during our interviews, education was one of the main topics.Given that there was no high school on the French side, going abroad was mandatory for students whose parents wanted them to further their education. Having family already living abroad facilitated the move.In this month's episode, you will hear Alicia Weinum, Jeanine

Episode 6 - School children & teachers

Sep 03 2023 17 mins

As school is about to start, we sometimes remember our days as school children: the classes, the games, the teachers, the friends and of course, childhood.Although going to school is an experience that many have had through time and space, the organisation, the technology used, the teachings can vary vastly, even for students of the same era. And of course, how we remember school b

Episode 5 - What we used to eat

May 22 2023 13 mins

What a people eat tells a lot about their personal circumstances, their immediate environment and their cultural background. St.Martin is known as the Caribbean capital of gastronomy, with chefs coming from all over the world, but the cooking traditions of St.Martin are also worthy of celebration.Our traditional food tell a story within the story, of which ingredients were availabl

Episode 4 - Love is everywhere

Feb 18 2023 15 mins

As you know, February is the month of love! In this episode, you will find testimonies of love beyond its romantic form: Family, God, Friendship, Self love and more!Thank you to Olga and Rosette Gumbs, Fabien and Frantz Gumbs, Alicia Weinum, Ginette and Mercedes Fleming and Etina and Jeanine Arnell for their testimonies, hoping that you are inspired to celebrate all the love you ha

Episode 3 - A Close-knit Community

Jan 22 2023 22 mins

When a new year begins, we look hopefully to the future and plan the changes that we could make in our lives to make it a beautiful year. We think of what good habits from the past we wish to pursue and which we will leave behind, in a quest for a better life for ourselves, and even sometimes for our community. Which elements of the past of St.Martin could we wish to bring back?In

Episode 2 - Coconut tarts and fly catchers

Dec 17 2022 11 mins

Christmas is often seen as the best time of the year, even on our Caribbean island. From the food, the drinks and even taking care of our homes, it is a time where traditions seem to be particularly strong.While some customs from Back then are still honored, others seem to have disappeared.In this episode, Alicia Weinum, Etina and Jeanine Arnell, Frantz and Fabien Gumbs share memor

Episode 1 - Good weather, bad weather

Dec 03 2022 8 mins

Is rain considered good weather or bad weather?On a dry island like St.Martin, we sometimes welcome rain gladly after too many blazing days, but too much of it can have destructive consequences, as we know it too well in this region where storms and hurricanes leave their mark on the land and in the memories.Given how used we are nowadays to weather reports warning us about hurrica

Episode 0 - Introduction to Back Then

Nov 26 2022 2 mins

The way we see our world today is partly influenced by the way we see yesterday. Sharing a common vision of the past, or at least, some elements, gives us common ground. In a society where the informal occupies so much space, it is no surprise that the family space is a primary place of transmission. Some might already be tired of hearing the same stories of their parents, talking