radhica.sookraj@
guardian.co.tt
Usually, Bobolees do not survive past Good Friday as they are beaten to a pulp before dusk.
But this year in Pleasantville, the Augustine family made a bobolee depicting a battered woman, holding pepper spray.
Her arms are crossed to ward off her attacker.
Nineteen-year-old Akasia Augustine said they wanted to highlight the unwarranted attacks women continually face in T&T.
She said every year they make a bobolee of someone who has betrayed the country but this year they decided to highlight the women who have faced abuse.
“We decided to use the pepper spray and this theme to represent why we need to protect women in Trinidad. Pepper spray is used as a weapon to protect women as they don’t have that right now,” she said.
She added, “I think it is a sad thing that is happening. We need to stop this continuous violence.”
Her mother Annitta Augustine said the bobolee also highlighted the need for women to protect their children.
“I find it is sad to see what is going on with the young children. I found it really terrible and we have to do something to stop it so people will know what is going on with the children so that the government can do something more about it,” she said.
Annitta said this year their bobolee will escape the usual beating.
“Long time we would beat our bobolee but not this year. This year we will dismantle it and keep it,” she added.
Her husband David said, “This bobolee has already experienced trauma and that is why we are celebrating women this year,” he added.
A bobolee is supposed to be a stuffed effigy of Jesus’ disciple Judas who betrayed him with a kiss. The bobolee was usually tied by the neck and dragged through the streets on Good Friday but in Trinidad, over time it came to represent politicians and other people whom the society vented against. Bobolees are usually hung on lampposts and street signs. Most bobolees are taken down after sunset on Good Friday.
