Texas Tech University is known for its passionate sports culture and its iconic mascots that represent the university's teams. The primary mascot for Texas Tech athletics is the Masked Rider, a figure that dons a black mask and cape while riding on horseback. The Masked Rider symbolizes the spirit and determination of Texas Tech athletes and is a beloved symbol of the university. The origins of the Masked Rider can be traced back to 1936 when a Texas Tech student named Joe Kirk Fulton decided to ride a horse onto the football field during a game. This spontaneous act paved the way for the creation of an official mascot that would become an integral part of Texas Tech's athletic identity. Today, the Masked Rider can be seen at all Texas Tech home football games, leading the team onto the field in a display of strength and pride.
The Curse of the Roseate Pearl
Soon after arriving in Broome in the midst of the wet season – known locally as the Big Wet – I heard the story of the cursed Roseate Pearl. This placed a grain of sand in the oyster shell of what I already had in mind for CeCe’s story.
Apparently, over a hundred years ago, when Broome – a small town on the North West coast of Australia – was the epicentre of the world’s pearl and shell trade, a diver discovered a pearl of outstanding beauty. Before he could claim it as his own, his pearling master took it for himself.
However, during a drunken evening of celebration, another diver stole the pearl and sold it to a ‘snide’ man – a seller of stolen pearls. However, he was then tricked, murdered, and the curse of the pearl began to weave it’s tragic web.
The murderers, two Chinese thieves, were later caught and hanged for an unrelated crime. The pearl moved on to a man who died of a heart attack before he could celebrate his good fortune. The next owner committed suicide after the pearl was stolen from him, and the next was also murdered…
Over the years, the Roseate Pearl left a trail of death and misfortune in its wake … finally in 1912, Abraham de Vahl Davis, a pearl buyer working on behalf of the famous pearling master Mark Rubin, reportedly bought the precious gem for 12,000 Australian Pounds – an astronomical sum in those days. De Vahl Davis boarded the SS Koombana on its last fateful voyage, and many believe that the pearl went down in the cyclone that sank the ship, along with all 150 souls aboard, on March 20th 1912.
But is it really lying at the bottom of the ocean or, as happens in The Pearl Sister, was it even on SS Koombana in the first place?
The Pearling Masters of Broome
According to the Buddhist myth, pearls were the tears of Buddha, shed as gifts to look after orphans and widows. The reality is very different: pearls are created when the oyster feels a grain of sand or a piece of broken shell within itself and begins to secrete a mineral around it called nacre. The layers of nacre eventually build up into something smooth and beautiful, which humans have coveted for thousands of years.
A shell with button cuttings at the Broome Historical Museum
A traditional Yawuru Riji – a shell ornament
Organised pearling in Broome began in the 1860s – although the Yawuru Aboriginal people had been using the copious oyster shells to make ornaments and tools for time immemorial. It was when the first white settlers arrived that the town’s relationship with the ocean changed. Aboriginal people were used as ‘harvesters’ to collect shell, mainly women and children. Then, they could still pick the oysters up in the shallows, but within a few years, hundreds of miles of coast were stripped, and the pearl harvesters – often retained against their will – were ordered to go deeper and further out to sea.
Then the inhuman practice of skin diving began – Aboriginal females were forced to dive for shell ‘in bare pelt’. Women were preferred for their supposedly keener eyesight, and were capable of diving to seven fathoms (around 13 metres) in a single breath.
In the 1880s, the first commercial diving suits and other apparatus were introduced, and divers from Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia came to Broome in the hope of finding their fortunes. Shells became ever more scarce and divers were required to go ever deeper, up to 40 fathoms. The greatest danger they faced was ‘the bends’ – decompression sickness caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in the blood stream as the divers resurfaced from deep water. The pain was often excruciating and the condition killed many.
Broome was the epicentre of the pearling industry for almost sixty years, and throughout it all the pearling masters – the bosses of the pearling businesses – profited greatly. It was a town of excess, both in terms of its weather and its residents .As Kitty discovers in The Pearl Sister, Broome may have been a wild backwater in the early 1900s, but every luxury imaginable could be brought to its shores.
The Legends Behind 4 ‘Cursed’ Gemstones
Ahead of Halloween, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow shares the spooky tales behind a few famous gemstones that allegedly bring bad luck.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond, said to hold a curse, sat in the center of the Queen Mother’s crown. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Halloween is my favorite holiday, hands down.
I can’t get enough of this time of year, from the candy and costumes to the pumpkin patches and spooky stories. I’m not much for horror movies, but I do love a good, creepy urban legend.
So, on the eve of Halloween, I wanted to share some tales of spookiness surrounding “cursed” gemstones.
The Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous diamonds in the world, passed down through notable hands throughout history and put on display in world-renowned museums.
Those who have come in contact with the stone range from kings and queens to merchants and jewelers, but all are said to be bound by its curse.
The Hope Diamond passed through the hands of kings and queens before being donated to the Smithsonian Institute. (Photo courtesy of Smithsonian) The stone’s story begins in the 1600s, when French merchant traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier purchased a “beautiful violet” 112-carat diamond, thought to be from the Kollur mine in Golconda, India, according to the Smithsonian’s website.
Tavernier sold the diamond to King Louis XIV of France in 1668. It was recut to 67 carats and set in gold, worn around the king’s neck for ceremonial occasions.
Later in his life, Tavernier was mauled to death by dogs, according to some accounts (though others say he retired to Russia and died of natural causes.)
As for King Louis XIV of France, whose life was better documented, he died of gangrene while all but one of his children died in childhood.
The diamond was passed on to King Louis XV, who had the stone reset, and later died of smallpox.
It made its way to King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, but was turned over to the government alongside the other jewels of the French Royal Treasury after the pair attempted to flee France and were subsequently beheaded.
In 1949, American jeweler Harry Winston purchased the Hope Diamond from the estate of socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean.
The Washington Post heiress lived a less-than-charmed life. The death of her mother-in-law was followed by the death of her 9-year-old son. Her husband left her for another woman, but later died in a mental hospital. Her daughter died of a drug overdose at the age of 25.
And McLean herself died with a mountain of debt, forcing her remaining children to sell the newspaper and the Hope Diamond.
Its new owner, Winston, loaned it to several museums
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Cursed Eye
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"Cursed charge shot"
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This article is about Cursed Eye, similar in appearance to Mom's Pearl.
Today, the Masked Rider can be seen at all Texas Tech home football games, leading the team onto the field in a display of strength and pride. The iconic image of the Masked Rider charging onto the field has become synonymous with Texas Tech sports and is a source of inspiration for fans and athletes alike. In addition to the Masked Rider, Texas Tech also has secondary mascots that represent specific sports teams.
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The most notable of these mascots is Raider Red, a cowboy figure that wears a red cowboy hat and represents the Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team. Raider Red is a fan favorite at basketball games and can be seen entertaining the crowd with his lively and spirited personality. Another secondary mascot for Texas Tech athletics is the Fearless Champion, a live horse that serves as a tribute to the original Masked Rider. Fearless Champion can be seen galloping around the field during football games, further emphasizing the university's commitment to its unique mascot tradition. Overall, the Texas Tech sports mascots are essential symbols of the university's athletic tradition and embody the spirit and determination of its teams. From the iconic Masked Rider to the beloved Raider Red and Fearless Champion, these mascots bring energy and excitement to Texas Tech sports events, instilling a sense of pride in both the athletes and the fans..
Reviews for "Celebrating the Legacy of Texas Tech's Mascots: A History of Pride and Spirit"
1. Jane - 2/5 - As a fan of Texas Tech sports, I have to say that the choice of mascots is quite disappointing. The Masked Rider, while iconic, feels outdated and lacks the energy that other mascots bring to their teams. Additionally, the Red Raider, with his intimidating look, can seem inappropriate and aggressive to some. I believe it's time for Texas Tech to consider rebranding their mascots to something more modern and inclusive.
2. John - 1/5 - I attended a Texas Tech football game recently and was utterly unimpressed with their choice of mascots. The Red Raider, with his wild appearance and menacing expression, created a hostile environment that was unpleasant to be a part of. Furthermore, the Masked Rider, although a historical figure, failed to excite the crowd and lacked the spirit I've seen in other mascots. In my opinion, Texas Tech needs to rethink their mascot choices and focus on creating a more positive and inclusive atmosphere at their sporting events.
3. Anna - 2/5 - I have been a fan of Texas Tech sports for many years, but I must admit that I'm not a fan of their mascots. The Red Raider can be perceived as overly aggressive and intimidating, which doesn't align with the values of sportsmanship and fair play. Additionally, the Masked Rider, although a symbol of tradition, doesn't generate the same level of enthusiasm and pride as other mascots. I believe Texas Tech should consider exploring new mascot options that better reflect their values and engage the crowd in a positive way.
4. Mike - 3/5 - While I appreciate the historical significance of the Masked Rider and the uniqueness of the Red Raider mascot for Texas Tech sports, I personally find them to be lacking in terms of excitement and entertainment value. The Masked Rider's horseback entrance adds some flair to game days, but beyond that, the performance and interaction with the crowd leave much to be desired. As for the Red Raider, the aggressive look can be off-putting to some spectators and may not resonate well with a broader audience. I think Texas Tech could benefit from exploring alternative mascots that are more engaging and relatable to fans of all ages.
5. Sarah - 2/5 - As someone who attends many Texas Tech sporting events, I must say that I'm not a fan of their mascots. The Red Raider, with his exaggerated features and fierce appearance, can come across as intimidating rather than inspiring. And while the Masked Rider is a symbol of tradition, the performance lacks the enthusiasm and excitement that other mascots bring to their teams. I believe it's time for Texas Tech to reevaluate their choice of mascots and consider options that better reflect the spirit and energy of their sports programs.