Boyous the Contortionist is a mesmerising act

HE WAS born Marvin Wilson in St Elizabeth, but migrated to St Ann where he currently resides, and is known in northwestern Jamaica entertainment circles as ‘Boyous the Contortionist’. He also refers to himself as an acrobat. He has a lithe and muscular structure looking like that of a youth in his 20s, not like that of a regular 40-something-year-old.

And, with this supple structure and agility, he can assume positions and forms that many people cannot and will never ever accomplish. He has the built for his contortions, all right, but it is his ability to focus and execute that impresses his audiences most. He is a repeat performer at the International Charles Town Maroon Conferences and festivals, where he also demonstrates his drumming skills.

He was blessed with his agile frame, but it was an acrobatic father-and-son duo, neighbours of his in his youth, that inspired him to use his structure to earn money. Boyous the Contortionist is an epitome of flexibility and strength, and the photographs on this page speak for themselves.

– Paul H. Williams