Features
Marshall Haseley
BENI TONKA is a writer and creative director of events and films who lives in Cologne, Germany, but half of his roots are in Moruga.
He has written for German-based magazines, collaborated with filmmakers on independent films, and worked on advertising for brands such as Lamy of Germany, which is a nearly century-old company known for its pens.
Although he spent most of his life unaware of his TT roots, the moment he discovered them, he researched until he could embark on an adventure of more discovery. He wanted to learn more about his bloodline and saw no better way than to visit the country.
Tonka’s introduction to the landscape, people and culture of TT inspired Good Lime. It’s a book of stories and recipes that embodies everything TT stands for – many of which may go unnoticed by people who live in TT because of its familiarity.
Tonka said, “Caribbean people know the meaning of ‘good lime’. When you’re in one, you know it. When you’re in good shape, you’re not thinking about life in any way outside of that huddle. The expression and essence of those moments, appreciating moments during a lime that are full of connection, history and laughter – it’s something that runs through the Caribbean.”
Tonka said food is a big part of lime, which influenced the concept of the book – the sharing of stories and food. The recipes are based on how he saw them made by family members such as his father, his aunts Cynthia, Eileen and other people from Moruga.
The intertwined stories and recipes from the TT kitchen begin on Carnival Monday 2013, when he first set foot in the homeland of his biological father, whom at that time he had not met in person.
He told Newsday that his parents met while his father was stationed in Germany as an American soldier. “They met in a nightclub near Frankfurt. He told me that he was impressed by (Tonka’s mother’s) intelligence and they connected because they had similar interests. I can’t talk about the nature of the relationship, but they were close for about a year.” The stories go back to when his mother first told him that the man he now knows to be his stepfather was not his biological father.
“That set me on a quest.”
Tonka’s father, Kirk Louison, is a retired activist and writer from Moruga, who Tonka says has a passion for life and music.
“I finally found a number for my paternal grandmother, who lived in New York, and she made all the connections.”
Until then, his grandmother had no knowledge of the existence of her only grandson.
Tonka made plans and visited TT six months later, landing during Carnival.
“I landed in Tobago. It was my first time in the region – ever – and it was a great introduction. I went in to see entertainers and blue devils, louder music than I’ve ever heard in my life – and I’ve been to festivals. In the midst of all that I see my father, whom I had never met before, and it was like an instant recognition between us.
“Then we flew to Trinidad and headed to Moruga. I fell asleep and woke up in Moruga to see another parade.”
Throughout the book he shares stories about meeting his extended family and his paternal grandfather, whom he and his father met together, both for the first time.
“This is the story of roasting coconuts, when we drove to Point Fort to meet an old man my father had never met before. He was 51 years old at that time, and I was 27. I met my father a few months ago and here he was meeting his father for the first time. That experience makes sense now, when we think about how the relationship grew.”
Since his first visit, he has visited TT about 12 times, for six months at a time.
“So you could say I’ve spent four of the last ten years on the TT – exploring it all, spending time with family in Moruga, Charlotteville, Cunupia, Tunapuna, Sangre Grande, Diego Martin.”
He still has questions to answer such as why his father didn’t know his grandfather.
“It was after he met my father that he got a push from my aunt and grandmother to find his father.
“It wasn’t his responsibility, but when we met it became a little bit his responsibility, because I wanted to meet my grandfather. Sometimes that’s how responsibilities shift.”
Tonka describes the book as the result of a process of spiritual reconnection and physical connection with his family and the Caribbean – parts of him he once didn’t know existed.
“To finish the book and get it to a point where it will be shared with so many people, in English and German, is amazing. And now that this book is out, I can’t wait to complete (finish) several film and writing projects that are in the works.
“I hope this will help open the door for what is yet to come from me and my counterparts here and in the Caribbean.”
Tonka said he thought it was important to launch the book in Germany and in German because Caribbean culture, especially TT culture, is not widely reflected there. He wanted to ensure that the culture, with which he is deeply connected, was inserted into a new space in a romantic way.
So while he is excited to share the book with the global English-speaking population, he hopes that publishing it in German will allow it to stand out more than it would among the vast Caribbean literature written in English.
His last two-month visit to TT ended in March 2020 and he is looking forward to visiting next year during the Carnival season.
Tonka is also part of a team coordinating an art festival in Cologne, Germany, focusing on art from TT, including work from the visual arts, reading literature, film, music and dance related to TT. It is scheduled for September 3-24.
“We want to showcase artists from TT. The event series will feature the work of filmmakers Shari Petti and Maya Cozier, photography by Kevin Adonis Browne, and an event that tells the story of TT music.”
This chapter of personal discovery and rediscovery is not closed, Tonka said. He has revealed that his ancestry is also linked to Carriacou, Grenada.
“I’ve never been there – but it will happen.”
