What makes our island unique? The beaches? The golf? Many islands offer those. Traditions — from our distinctive shorts to the Gombeys' drum beat — mark our island as unlike any other.

Not-so-short Bermuda shorts

Men in Bermuda are never shy about revealing their knees. Standard business dress for men incorporates colourful linen or worsted wool shorts, worn with shirt, tie and blazer, plus the characteristic knee socks.

So-called Bermuda shorts were originally borrowed in the early 20th century from the British military's uniform for hot climes. Although often colourful — pink is a favourite — do not mistake our shorts as informal. We take our shorts so seriously, in fact, we passed a law: no shorts shorter than six inches above the knee.

• When worn, Bermuda shorts fall 5CM / 2IN above the knee and have a tapered bottom for a tailored look
• To feel at home in the boardroom or at a business lunch, don a navy blue single-breasted blazer; white or light blue shirt; any colourful pair of shorts; a Bermuda tie in a matching hue; navy blue knee socks; and black loafers
• For smart casual wear — worn mostly during the day or at barbecues — choose a madras or short-sleeve knit shirt; shorts in salmon pink, royal blue, red, navy or any other colour; matching knee socks; and a pair of loafers or boating shoes

Bermuda Gombeys

Rhythmic drumming typically announces our Gombeys long before you will see them. These magnificent dancing and drumming troupes often take to the streets, especially on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) and New Year’s Day.

The colourful tradition of Gombey dancing dates back to the mid-1700s, melding the roots and cultural influences of slaves brought to Bermuda.

• Derived from the African word meaning “drum,” Gombey also incorporates Native American and British colonial influences of the New World
• In a Gombey performance, dancers dressed in brightly-coloured capes and dramatic peacock headdresses re-enact historical and biblical stories
• Percussionists set the trancelike rhythm with kettledrums and snare drums, while the dancers grow ever more uninhibited as the hypnotic rhythm speeds and intensifies
• From November through March, catch a live Gombey revue Tuesdays at 4pm in the Harbor Room, No. 1 Passenger Terminal, on Front Street in the City of Hamilton

Cup Match: A cricket holiday

Keeping with our British heritage, cricket is our island's passion. So much so we created its own holiday — the Cup Match. During the Thursday and Friday before the first Monday in August, the St. George’s and Somerset Cricket Clubs compete in this crucial cricket game of the year.

But the holiday is not just about cricket — it is a carnival atmosphere featuring:

• Food — fresh local fish, curried mussel pie and spicy fish chowder are Cup Match favourites
• Fashion — especially hats
• Gambling — when spectators pause from roaring support for their favoured side, they take their chances at the crown and anchor gaming tables

Cup Match also has historical significance: The Thursday commemorates Emancipation, which ended slavery in 1834. And Friday, Somers’ Day, commemorates Sir George Somers, a British admiral and privateer, whose shipwreck on our reefs inadvertently started our first settlement.