Feel the rhythm of Barbados
Barbadian music was influenced by Britain and African origins. There is a variety of different music types such as Barbadian folk melodies, Caribbean jazz and opera, calypso, spouge, and soca. “Music was essential for recreation and dance was part of the life cycle for communication and religious meaning…”. If you ever make a trip to Barbados be sure to hear different rhythms and beats.
Folk music started from slave rebellions. The Caribbean slaves were no longer allowed to own musical instruments. Dancing and singing was a huge part of the island’s slaves’ tradition and culture. By the end of the 17th century, Barbadian folk music developed. The first music festivals were made by call and response singing which was accompanied by a “shak-shak”, similar to a bango. These festivals were also accompanied by water filled bottles and bones.
Barbadian dance music also varies in styles. The “Jean and Johnnie” dance was part of Bajan culture until it was banned in the 19th century. This was a popular fertility dance that allowed the women of the island to show off to the men.The reason of its banning was because it went against the Christian African traditions.
The island is also home to a huge variety of instruments. These instruments were imported from Great Britain, Africa, and other Caribbean islands. The most central drumming instruments are the “pump” and the “tum tum”. Xylophones, bottle filled with water, triangles, bones, cymbals, rattles, gongs, and rock jaws were popular instruments as well. The “congo”, “bongo”, and tamborine were later introduced from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Wind and stringed instruments, such as the “bow-fiddle”, acoustic guitar, and banjo, were also important in Barbados folk culture. Largely metal instruments were more for traditional Barbadian music. Folk musical instruments were made from locally found materials such as bamboo tubes and conch shells. Harmonicas, tenor and alto saxophones, trombones, trumpets, and accordions are used by more modern Barbadian groups (ringroundtheworld.org).
Folk music started from slave rebellions. The Caribbean slaves were no longer allowed to own musical instruments. Dancing and singing was a huge part of the island’s slaves’ tradition and culture. By the end of the 17th century, Barbadian folk music developed. The first music festivals were made by call and response singing which was accompanied by a “shak-shak”, similar to a bango. These festivals were also accompanied by water filled bottles and bones.
Barbadian dance music also varies in styles. The “Jean and Johnnie” dance was part of Bajan culture until it was banned in the 19th century. This was a popular fertility dance that allowed the women of the island to show off to the men.The reason of its banning was because it went against the Christian African traditions.
The island is also home to a huge variety of instruments. These instruments were imported from Great Britain, Africa, and other Caribbean islands. The most central drumming instruments are the “pump” and the “tum tum”. Xylophones, bottle filled with water, triangles, bones, cymbals, rattles, gongs, and rock jaws were popular instruments as well. The “congo”, “bongo”, and tamborine were later introduced from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Wind and stringed instruments, such as the “bow-fiddle”, acoustic guitar, and banjo, were also important in Barbados folk culture. Largely metal instruments were more for traditional Barbadian music. Folk musical instruments were made from locally found materials such as bamboo tubes and conch shells. Harmonicas, tenor and alto saxophones, trombones, trumpets, and accordions are used by more modern Barbadian groups (ringroundtheworld.org).