The sound of drums and whistles echoed across the island yesterday as Gombey troupes came out to mark Boxing Day.

Dozens of Gombeys danced throughout the streets, often with throngs of followers and supporters.

In St George’s, a handful of visitors joined residents cheering on Place’s Gombeys.

Richard Plant, from New Jersey, who caught the show near the entrance of Shinbone Alley, said the performance was a welcome taste of Bermudian culture.

He said: “I like getting to experience a little bit of the culture when I travel. It's something you don't see everyday.

“There's the costumes and the dancing and the music, and I love that the kids are involved.”

Meanwhile, Janet Weitz said she and her family had gone to St George’s to explore the Old Towne and were pleasantly surprised to stumble across the troupe.

“Our taxi driver told us the other day that they would be out and about today, so when we heard the drums we went looking to find them,” she said.

“It’s been a highlight of the day so far. Most of the town looks like it’s closed so it’s good to have more to see than the harbour and the buildings and things.”

In the evening, the Gombey Warriors were seen entertaining crowds in Pembroke.

Tarina Burgess said she was always excited to see the Gombeys come out over the holidays, putting a spotlight on Bermuda’s rich heritage.

“It’s really a celebration of who we are and where we come from,” she said.

“It’s bright, it’s fun, it’s colourful, but at the same time when you look into the history of it, it carries a lot of meaning.

“It feels sometimes like people treat it as just something for the tourists, but it's not.

“The holidays are always a great time to come out with our families and celebrate our families, so something that celebrates our heritage is a natural fit.”

Vanessa Roberts said: “When you hear the drums, it’s hard not to get excited and get moving. After all the food I had this weekend, it may be a necessity.

“In my old neighbourhood, we always had to track them down, so it’s kind of nice to have them pop by the house.”