Description
Shadows in the Trade Winds delves into the rich tapestry of Caribbean folklore, exploring mysterious and enigmatic tales that have been woven into the cultural fabric of the region. It encompasses a collection of stories, myths, and legends featuring mystical beings and supernatural phenomena, all set against the backdrop of the Caribbean’s lush landscapes.
Within this odyssey, readers encounter captivating characters like Douens, Soucouyants, Bucks, La Diablesses, Spirits, Lagahoos, Rolling Calves, Chupacabras, and the wise Papa Bois to name a few. Each story uniquely journeys into the heart of Caribbean culture, offering glimpses into the untamed nature of folklore and the fluid boundaries between the mystical and the tangible.
The narratives unfold in diverse settings—dense jungles, moonlit villages, and shadowy shores—infused with the allure of mystery, fear, and curiosity. Themes of magic, ancient wisdom, and the interconnectedness of the natural world is explored, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting and sometimes eerie world of Caribbean folklore.
Shadows in the Trade Winds is a literary adventure that transports readers to the heart of the Caribbean, where the trade winds carry not only whispers of ages past but also the captivating tales that have shaped the cultural identity of the region.
About the author:
Anthony Mahabir was born in Arima, Trinidad in 1969 and educated across the island at Arima Boys’ RC, Rio Claro Hindu School, and ASJA College in San Fernando. Like many Trinidadians of his generation, his life later took him abroad—first to Canada in 1987, and ultimately to Bermuda in 2001. Despite the distance, his connection to Caribbean culture, language, and storytelling has remained central to his identity.
The idea for Shadows in the Trade Winds emerged during a visit home in 2015, when a late-night conversation with cousins about childhood unexpectedly turned into vivid, deeply sincere recollections of encounters with Soucouyants, La Diablesses, and other folkloric beings. What struck him was not merely the stories themselves, but the unwavering conviction with which they were told—these were not remembered myths, but remembered experiences.
That moment sparked a reflection on the gradual disappearance of oral storytelling in the Caribbean, and the quiet erosion of cultural knowledge once passed down through generations. Motivated by a love of English literature and the spoken word, Mahabir embarked on an eight-year journey across the Caribbean, visiting islands including Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Barbados, Curaçao, Dominica, Martinique, the Bahamas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There, he documented folklore as it was shared directly with him—often by those who believed it wholeheartedly.
Throughout his travels, he discovered that many legendary beings exist across the region under different names, yet retain strikingly similar traits and moral foundations. Stories were shared at bonfires by the sea, and often in darkness—sometimes by candlelight during power outages—always with sincerity and belief.
Shadows in the Trade Winds brings these voices together in a single volume. Written for All Ages, it uses accessible yet rich language suitable for young readers, families, classrooms, and adult audiences alike. The collection explores themes of folklore, nature, morality, fear, and wonder, while preserving the rhythm, intimacy, and atmosphere of Caribbean oral storytelling.







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