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CNN WORLD REPORT

Barbados Craftsman Popularizes Mahogany Souvenirs

Aired August 26, 2001 - 14:45 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: Now we head to Barbados, where a craftsman has proven that opportunity really does grow on trees.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN ANCHOR: The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation explains how his creations have become coveted items around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLAUDE GRAHAM, CARIBBEAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is a symbol of colonial Barbados, the most important hardwood to take root in this small country. This tropical evergreen, which is the pride of the furniture industry, was introduced to Barbados in 1747. Ever since then, it has grown to symbolize the strength and buoyancy of the local furniture craft.

In the past, when the trees were felled, the trunk and select branches were carved into furniture. The stump and the roots were burnt or left in the ground. But 25 years ago, an enterprising craftsman saw an unexploited beauty in the twisted mass. Medford Mahogany was born.

From his self-taught process and with the assistance of a sanding machine, souvenir items have gone to Europe, North America and Asia. The abstracts are the most popular items.

HIGGI MEDFORD, MEDFORD MAHOGANY: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), for example use our product pieces (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and for officials gifts from the government (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to other governments (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Several heads of state have been presented with the pieces.

GRAHAM: But the mahogany tree is now a protected species and cannot be felled without incurring heavy penalties.

MEDFORD: So, we are lucky to get them -- unless somebody is building a house or there is a big road project or some big construction project that's going on and they get permission to take down the tree.

GRAHAM: Items from Medford Mahogany have made it to Barbados' main shopping center. They are to be found at Little Switzerland on Broad Street.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we have been very pleased with the response. I believe it's one of the only items that we are actually carrying local hand-crafted goods in, and hopefully it will do very well for us.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're hoping that tourists will get in, come in, see our products and be very pleased that we have a genuine handmade crafted pieces made right here in Barbados.

GRAHAM: Items associated with the islands are in greatest demand. The free form or abstracts are holding their own as one-of-a- kind souvenirs.

Perhaps the most important statement being made by Medford Mahogany is that small size does not matter. Within the new global village once you can create a demand, the customer will complete the equation.

Claude Graham from the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation for the CNN WORLD REPORT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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