The family of a late Gombey performer and trailblazer in the field has donated his regalia.

Relatives of Tyrone Alexander “Funk” Nesbitt, who was known to many as The Gombey Man, offered his outfit to the Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport so it can be preserved as a piece of cultural heritage.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, said: “We are truly honoured that the Nesbitt family has chosen to bestow Mr Nesbitt’s Gombey regalia to the ministry.

“His legacy is an important part of our cultural story and we are committed to ensuring it is preserved, celebrated and shared with the wider community for years to come.”

Mr Nesbitt was one of the youngest members of Place’s Gombeys after he and his friend, Leon Place, followed their route for years.

He stayed with the troupe for more than 40 years before taking a short-lived retirement and creating H&N Gombeys two years later, which eventually became H&H Gombeys.

Mr Nesbitt performed around the world, including across the US and the Caribbean.

He was known to perform alongside Warner’s Gombeys and assisted in playing the snare drum well into his older age.

A renowned craftsman, Mr Nesbitt was famous for his unique handmade regalia, a skill he picked up in the 1960s when they were commonly made by women, which depicted nature scenes and African symbols.

He also crafted traditional bows from pimento wood, hatchets with a traditional technique using four pieces of wood and even built his own bass drum.

He died shortly after the start of this year at age 76.