Sub-cultures of Trinidad and Tobago.pptx

Sub cultures

1. The DEVELOPMENT OF SUB-CULTURES THROUGH FUSION AND SYNCRETISM calypso chutney steel-band

2. Sub-cultures in Trinidad and Tobago There are three(3) popular sub-cultures of Trinidad and Tobago. These sub-cultures are: Calypso, Steel-band and Chutney. In Trinidad and Tobago, there is a syncretism and fusion of these sub-cultures that makes up the larger culture of the country. Sub-culture is a group of people within a larger culture, such as a country who has something in common. Syncretism is the combining of different religions, cultures or ideas. Fusion is the process of joining two or more things together.

3. CALYPSO music Trinidad and Tobago is well known for its Calypso, Steelpan and Chutney music. Calypso has roots in West Africa tribal songs of the 18 th century and became popular in the early 20 th century; spreading to the rest of the Caribbean. Calypso is a type of popular song originating in the West Indies which developed to its present form in Trinidad and is now widely recognized outside the region. Calypso was originally sung in a French creole , led by a griot. (storyteller) As English replaced French creole, Calypso began to be sung in English. This drew attention of the British colonial powers, because the Calypso song lyrics were often politically critical of the British. Calypso is played with variable rhythm and sometimes, improvised lyrics are sung rapidly.

4. CALYPSO music The first Calypso recording was made in 1914 and by the1920’s there were permanent bamboo tents where the calypsonians would practice. N.B.- By the 1930’s some of the big names began to emerge in calypso such as: - Atilla The Hun , Roaring Lion and Lord Kitchener. Quevedo, Raymond (1892-1902) Trinidadian Calypso singer better known as ‘Atilla Hun’ sung in public for the first time in 1911. - At a time when Calypso singing was not always highly thought of, or considered socially acceptable, he managed to retain both his reputation as a performer. - Raymond became an elected member of the Port-Of-Spain City Council and served as Deputy Mayor (1950’s). Raymond is remembered for his quality Calypso and for raising the tone for this art form. In 1939, The Calypso King Contest , a singing competition was first held at the Carnival. A price was offered for the most original song on a local topic. The most known prolific winners of the Calypso King Contest are: The Mighty Sparrow and The Chalkdust who won eight times.

5. STEEL-BAND Trinidad and Tobago is known as the place where steelband originated. In 1880, stick fighting and percussion music were banned in Trinidad and Tobago as a result of the Canboulay Riots . The replacements bamboo sticks were also banned. Canboulay is a form of torchlit street procession which took place in Trinidad, starting in the 18 th century. It entailed dancing, stick-fighting and facial disguises. It was patterned on the procession of slaves being sent to fight fires in the sugar cane fields. The word derived from the French to mean ‘burned cane’ Later they continued to do freedom marches which took place after the abolition of slavery. These evolved into street festivities which now take place during Carnival before the beginning of Lent each year. In 1937, an orchestra of frying pans, dustbin lids and oil drums emerged in Laventille. When the U.S Navy was stationed on the island in 1941 the popularity of steel-pan among the soldiers, raised the profile of the music. In 1951, The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra formed to take part in the Festival of Britain. Important names who were part of the development of the steel-pan sound: 1. Tony Williams, 2. Bertie Marshall and Ellie Mannette .

6. CHUTNEY MUSIC Chutney music first appearance in Trinidad and Tobago was in the 1940’s, which was heard at weddings, religious celebrations and the sugar-cane fields. It became popular with the Indo- Caribbean people. Chutney music is an up-tempo, rhythmic song accompanied by : the dholak, the harmonium and the dhantal Chutney music is also a mixture of Indian and local music. Originally, chutney songs made reference to deities and was popular in churches and weddings. However within recent times it has become extremely popular. Famous Chutney singers include: Sundar Popo, Rikki Jai, Sam Boodram etc. Chutney has not yet had the success abroad as Calypso or Soca do. While chutney music is accepted by Indians from the sub-continent, the market remains small.

7. CHUTNEY MUSIC However, Chutney singers from Trinidad have been asked to stage major chutney events in North America. As with Chutney, the genre in Trinidad can lead to invitations to perform in Suriname, Guyana and in East Indian communities in North America. While there is not an established dance hall or party music in the Chutney genre, there are occasions around the festivities of East Indians in Trinidad, at which Chutney music is the music played at weddings etc. Chutney singers suffer similar problems like Soca artists on the piracy of their music.

8. Importance of oral traditions Oral tradition of a culture is where knowledge and experiences of the past are passed down the generations, using spoken word, by performance poetry, story telling or poetry recital. It’s the nation’s responsibility to pass on traditions and preserve stories when visitors come to Trinidad and Tobago. We need to contribute to these aspects of our culture to visitors as showcasing the love for our sub-cultures.