A lifelong champion of an iconic Bermudian folk tradition was recognised in 2023 with a King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour as a mentor and standard bearer for the Gombeys.

Leon “Sparky” Place became one of Bermuda’s Gombey legends as the last remaining original member of Place’s Gombeys from its formation in 1957.

He was an honouree at the 2018 Gombey Festival, where he was recognised for inventing new dance steps as well as innovating on the elaborate Gombey outfits.

The Place’s troupe was founded by his father, Reginald “Scranny” Place, with Mabel, his mother, crafting the signature colourful regalia.

The Gombey is an African performance art that uses drumming and dance as elements from North American indigenous peoples are mingled with Caribbean and British culture.

At age 10, Mr Place joined the ranks of a troupe that he would ultimately captain, becoming the bearer of a tradition found elsewhere in the New World under myriad forms — but tracing its origins to the forced transport of an African art form shaped by the experience of enslavement.

Place’s Gombeys celebrated their 65th anniversary in 2022, when Mr Place told The Royal Gazette: “It feels great to be keeping this tradition alive.

“There is just this great feeling you get from dancing.”

He said he had easily picked up the moves because the performance was already “within me”.

His father had previously followed the Norford Group before setting out on his own.

Growing up on St Monica’s Road in Pembroke, Mr Place would set out with the troupe early on public holidays for roving performances along North Shore that would bring out crowds to follow the Gombeys across neighbourhoods.

Mr Place went into the masonry trade when he was 13, the same year he left school, but he remained synonymous with the Gombeys and known to crowds by his nickname, “Sparky”.

He also took the performance to international venues.

Gombey performance is a competitive scene, with the Place’s group choosing only “those with the potential — the body movements, the foot movements and fitness level”, he said before performing in the 2022 Bermuda Day Parade.

In a statement, the Government highlighted his creativity along with his discipline.

“He was known for his unique blend of tradition and innovation, infusing prayer into his performances and introducing original steps and regalia designs that enhanced the dynamism of Gombey dancing.

“Notably, he was credited with replacing fringing with wool in the regalia.”

Mr Place’s mingling of prayer with performance earned him the nickname “the Praying Gombey”, and he was known for his humility.

However, in interviews Mr Place emphasised his enjoyment of the Gombey way, from the community’s turnout to his love of dance.

“It feels good, it feels great,” he told the Gazette before the troupe’s 65th anniversary, then added: “You have to see the doctor a couple of days after.”

• Leon Wycliff “Sparky” Place, a former captain of Place’s Gombey Troupe, was born on October 12, 1946. He died on March 1, 2024, aged 77