|
   - Photo via Ministry of Culture -
|
||
 You
Might
Also Like    
     |
Published on Monday, February 27,
2023
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The country mourns the passing of Walter Gavitt Ferguson-Byfield, well known in the country as "The King of Calypso."
Ferguson, who would soon turn 104, passed away shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday in his house in Cahuita, his family said.
The Ferguson family organized the King of Calypso's funeral service to take place today at 10 a.m. at the Kingdom of Jehovah's Witnesses Church in Cahuita District in Talamanca Canton, Limón Province.
In a brief note from the Presidential House, the government mourned the death of Ferguson. “We join the pain that overwhelms his family and friends,” the government said in its statement.
Ferguson was considered the greatest exponent of calypso in the country. “One Pant Man,” “Callalloo,” “Monilia,” “Cabin in the Wata,” “Cahuita is a Beautiful Place,” “Rumba en Cahuita” and “G-O-O-D,” are just some of his best-known calypsos.
According to calculations by the Ministry of Culture, Ferguson composed more than 150 calypso songs in his lifetime.
Last week, Congress recognized the King of Calypso as an "Honorary Citizen" since he was born in the town of Guabito in Panama, on May 7, 1919. He became a Costa Rican citizen and ever since his childhood lived in Cahuita District.
Every May 7, the country celebrates the National Day of the Costa Rican Calypso in honor of Ferguson.
In 2017, the National University made a documentary about the life and music of Ferguson. The video "The Father of Calypso" was published on the university's YouTube channel.
In 2018, Ferguson was awarded the Emilia Prieto National Cultural Heritage Award for his lifetime career. That year Congress passed a law to declare him a distinguished citizen.
In May 2019, on his 100th birthday, 23 musicians and artists from 16 countries in Latin America, the United States, Ireland and Africa recorded an album with Ferguson's music in celebration of his birthday. The album titled "100 Years of Calypso" by Walter Ferguson was produced by the Costa Rican musician and researcher Manuel Monestel.
-----------------
             |
|
|