Story behind ‘Sucer Matante’

THE EDITOR: Back in the sixties, I believe, the late Olive Walke and the singing group she led called La Petite Musicale, popularised a ditty titled “Mangoes”. The lyrics of this song listed the names of most of the varieties of mangoes grown in Trinidad among which was a variety called “Sucer Matante”. The name is of Patois origin and it means “Suck Tantie”. Has anybody wondered how this mango got its name? Seventy years or so ago aunts and godmothers (nennens) managed to acquire no small measure of notoriety for ill-treating children.

Two expressions enjoyed currency at the time ie “to live at your aunt” and “ketch (catch) your nennen” and they both meant to live in or be subjected to sheer misery; the latter expression is still fairly popular today. I distinctly remember in the thirties messing around Ma’s kerosene lamp on Christmas Eve only to be sternly warned “Boy, if you should break my fancy lamp, you will live at your aunt with me you know!” Before the advent of radio and TV, it was common for parents, in order to enjoy a little respite, to send children during August to vacation at Tantie’s probably in some far away place like Brasso.

On arrival on the first day, you were warmly greeted with a hug and a kiss and “Look how Tantie boy get big”, but as the weeks wore on Tantie’s normal self surfaced and maltreatment and misery became the order of the day. Sucking a “Sucer Matante” is analogous to spending time with Tantie, very sweet at the first bite but of extreme acidity when you reach the seed. In fact, mango “Sucer Matante” is known in some districts of Trinidad as sour seed.

RAOUL DUCHAUSSEE
Mt Lambert