The sound of drums and whistles rang out in Botanical Gardens as the 2026 Gombey Festival kicked off.

Hundreds gathered in the gardens to take in the spectacle with Gombey troupes from across the island coming together to celebrate the iconic Bermudian art form.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, said that Gombeys were one of Bermuda’s most recognisable cultural traditions — but the festival went beyond elaborate dances and regalia.

Mr Darrell said: “Gombey showcases many aspects of our culture and our connections beyond our shores. It is distinctly Bermudian and is recognised as its own form of art.

“At its heart, it is a history of rebellion and freedom that continues to be expressed through generations of Gombey tradition.”

He told the crowd of attendees said that the event celebrates the dancers, the captains, the musicians, the families and those who ensure the tradition is passed on.

Mr Darrell added: “The strength of the Gombey tradition comes from the people who practise it, it comes from the people who teach it and make sure that other generations have the opportunity to carry it forward.”

Zaniko Hendrickson, a former leader of the H and H Gombey Troupe, was posthumously named the 2026 Gombey Festival Honouree, with Mr Darrell noting his and his family’s contributions to the art.

Mr Hendrickson, a founding member of the Bermuda Gombey Council, lost his life in December 2025 at the age of 35.

As the grandson of troupe co-founder Lawrence “Stickers” Hendrickson, Mr Hendrickson not only had the Gombey tradition in his blood, but famously started dancing with the group as a two-year-old and took up the drums at an early age.

He was a fixture at events such as the Gombey Festival, national celebrations and cultural education initiatives, representing Bermuda internationally at Carifesta in Barbados in 2017 and again in 2025.

Delivering a tribute, Ed Christopher, the host for the event, noted that Mr Hendrickson actively taught younger troupe members and made educational presentations in classrooms to help children experience Gombey culture.

He added: “His profound impact echoes through H and H Gombeys, the students he mentored and the broader Bermuda Gombey tradition.”

In addition to the performances by Gombeys, majorettes and Fire Wayne, visitors were able to enjoy food and drink from a variety of vendors and take part in the creation of a mural celebrating the SMS Gombeys as part of a collaboration with the Chewstick Foundation.

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