In an unexpected turn of events, Negril’s Ras Biblical found a lucrative career path arising from bag-making skills he acquired more than two decades ago, whilst a grade six student at the Davis Primary School in St. Catherine.
At the time, little did he know that the bag-sewing lessons from his grade six teacher at would transform into a significant source of livelihood for him years later.
Ras Biblical, whose given name is Clifford Anthony Peters, initially learned the art of cutting and sewing bags by hand as part of his classwork.
Although the technique became ingrained in his memory, he didn’t revisit this skill until a few years ago, when he recognized a substantial market demand for custom-made bags in the vibrant town of Negril.
Seizing the opportunity, Ras Biblical dusted off his long-dormant sewing skills and ventured into the world of bespoke bag creation. The result has been nothing short of remarkable, as his handcrafted bags have found favor among locals and visitors alike.
What started as a classroom exercise has blossomed into a thriving business, showcasing the unexpected journeys that skills acquired in school can take individuals on in the pursuit of their livelihoods.
“I learnt to sew my first string bag in grade six and I never forgot how to do it. When I came to Negril I saw that bags is something that sells. So I started making bags… When I come to Negril first I started making picture frames and mirrors with the shelves from the sun and then over time I realized that tourists they buy bags more than they buy those kind of crafts…,” the Old Harbour High School past student said.
“Bag all bout; every tourist a buy a bag. So I though to myself ‘wow, this is the same bag my teacher taught us to make in primary school’…I started sewing my first bag here by hand and I wrote on it ‘Free Buju Banton’”, the 30-something year old told Negril Times.
He explained: “I started stitching them by hand and selling them… and the rest is history. I started matching different fabrics, going to Pings, buying fabric, piece of fabric. I was using my hand all along until I bought a machine. I sold the first one to a white man at the Canoe Bar. I was at the Canoe Bar with a portion of them and the man said how much for one of these? I really wanted to sell a bag so I said US$20 and he gave me US$25 so that was good.”
Ras Biblical recounted to Negril Times how he acquired the skill of operating a sewing machine during his teenage years. It all began with his tailor’s insistence that he and his friends take matters into their own hands—quite literally.
The tailor encouraged them to learn how to use the sewing machine to make adjustments to their khaki school pants, transforming routine fixes into a hands-on learning experience.
From those early days of fumbling with a sewing machine, Ras Biblical has come a long way and now has his own brand, dubbed Timbad.
Today, he incorporates a significant amount of denim into his creations, showcasing the versatility and durability of the fabric. Additionally, he has found that burlap, in particular, holds immense appeal among tourists seeking unique and authentic pieces.
All his bags are unique, Ras Biblical told Negril Times.
“I never make the same thing twice. If I use the same fabric, it’s a different style. If I even make the same-looking bag, it’s a different lining,” he pointed out.
“Because I don’t like have a company with the 100 person working for
me, because I’m the only I’m the one doing it, each time I make a bag I can do something different. So that’s what I do so, everything is probably look the same but the size might be different and the material might be different”.
Ras Biblical’s journey from manual sewing to mastering the sewing machine reflects not only his personal growth but also highlights the influence of practical skills acquired in youth on one’s later endeavors.
As he continues to blend craftsmanship with creativity, his use of diverse materials adds a distinctive touch to his creations, making them sought-after not only by locals but also by visitors eager to take home a piece of his unique artistry.
Watch interview with Ras Biblical below:
