Aunty Tek was “one of a kind’’

By Lincoln Depradine

St. George’s, December 15, 2011 – Grenada is mourning the loss of another national icon. Renowned folklorist, Aunty Tek Phillip, died Wednesday at the age of 85.

“The death of Aunty Tek is a monumental lost to our cultural community. Aunty Tek was a genuine cultural icon, truly one of a kind, and she cannot be replaced,’’ said Senator Arley Gill, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture.

Sen. Gill, who has special responsibility for culture, expressed “heartfelt and deep condolence’’ to the family and friends of Aunty Tek on behalf of his ministry and on behalf of the Grenada government.

“Aunty Tek has been an immeasurable treasure to culture not just in Grenada but also in the Caribbean,’’ said Sen. Gill, who noted that her death came less than two months after the passing of Anthony “Jericho’’ Greenidge.

Greenidge’s contribution to media, sports and culture evoked an outpouring of national grief.

Born Thelma Ermintrude Knights, Aunty Tek adopted the name, Phillip, after marriage.

A well-known resident of Belmont, St. George, Aunty Tek was a pioneer among women in Grenada, breaking long-held stereotypes about women.

She was among the first women to own and drive a car in Grenada. She was a teacher and principal, as well as a leading Grenadian and Caribbean stage actor.

Aunty Tek – founder  of her own junior theatre company and of the now defunct Bee Wee Ballet drama group – was an undisputed master of folk tales, especially the “Ole Nancy Stories.’’ As a raconteur, she is perhaps rivaled only by the late Jamaican folklorist, Louise “Miss Lou’’ Bennett –Coverley and Trinidad-born and Grenada-raised, Paul Keens-Douglas.

Keens-Douglas’ younger brother, Richardo, is among the best-known of a current generation of storytellers.

A graduate of the Teachers’ Training College in Trinidad, Aunty Tek once worked as Chief Social and Community Development Officer for Education and Culture for the Grenada government.

When the government of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas hosted the first Spice Word Festival in 2010, Aunty Tek was honoured and presented with a special award. She performed at both the opening and closing of the inaugural festival.

In 2011, the festival was renamed after Aunty Tek. In making the announcement of the festival’s renaming, Sen. Gill said the aim was to “immortalize’’ Aunty Tek’s name.

The 2011 Aunty Tek Spice Word Festival was held from October 18 – 23.

“While we mourn the passing of Aunty Tek, we are pleased that we were able to honour her by naming the Spice Word Festival after her. She was very appreciative of the honour,’’ Sen. Gill said.