DISCOVER MAGAZINE 2009 

The island of Middle Caicos the least populated and the largest island in the Turks & Caicos, but it is famous as the home of TCI traditional handcrafts and culture. More than any other island, the communities on Middle Caicos keep the handcraft traditions alive, producing straw bags and fanner grass baskets of all shapes and sizes from local plants- the raw materials of the land. Only on Middle Caicos can you find woodcarvers still producing handcarved model sailboats, elders collecting bush medicine, boatbuilders shaping sloops in their backyard, and farmers tending rough fields of vegetables. The Middle Caicos Co-op was established in 1998 and continues today to promote, showcase and encourage the production of local handcrafts and the survival of traditional culture. From a timid beginning with six local women on Middle Caicos, the co-op’s network now includes 60 artisans from across the whole country – and a delightful showcase shop in Blue Hills, Providenciales.

The history of Middle Caicos is told easily by its residents…….in the 1980’s and 1990’s most young adults left the island to find work, so at present over half the population is well into their “threescore and ten”. The elders of Middle Caicos are respected for their wealth of knowledge, their dignity and their patience. Raised in a time of hard work and subsistence living, their faces tell stories even before their friendly faces break into a smile. Alton Higgs at 86 still wanders from Lorimers to the beach and back to creates rug from ships ropes tossed up by the waves. Simon Forbes at 80 has the largest orchard of local fruits in the country and walks to his fields near Bambarra every day with his cutlass in hand. Carlin Forbes, at 79, has his house surrounded by traditional model boats he carves from the gum-elemi trees. Dennis Been, at 76, proudly works on the full size native sloop he is building in his yard. Middle Caicos lives the traditional culture of TCI, and doors here open generously to welcome you…come savour the experience

A day trip to Middle Caicos is probably the most authentic excursion you could make in Turks & Caicos Islands. In addition to the fun of meeting the folk living there and enjoying the gorgeous scenery, you can explore the Conch Bar Caves National Park, take a tough mountain bike ride along the King’s Road, hike the spectacular Crossing Place Trail along the Norbellis cliffs, race the model sailboats on Bambarra beach, kayak to East Bay Islands Reserve, prowl the Haulover Plantation ruins and relax at picturesque Mudjin Harbour. You can find handcrafts, local fruits and native cooking in every village!! For further information about Middle Caicos, email middlecaicos@tciway.tc

Be sure also to visit the Middle Caicos Co-op shop in Blue Hills, Providenciales to be surrounded by the creations of over 50 local TCI artisans – and marvel at the variety and beauty of their work. Many of the handcrafts on display are produced by the elders of Middle Caicos, and your support is always appreciated!