Caribbean music has lent to American and European music. Therefore, it is not at all surprising to detect a certain familiarity in the soukous which you hear on Fogaraté. Most of the Caribbean population are descendants of West African slaves and settlers from Europe, India and China. Music, is one of the many products of our culture. Caribbean music history is equally rich with tradition. The musical stylings synonymous with the Caribbean islands are diverse yet similarly groovy. A new form of music emerged in the Caribbean which was created by the African slaves, who were brought in by the European settlers. In more secluded settings and at special festive occasions in Caribbean neighborhoods, one can hear the sounds of an immense variety of drums and other percussion instruments. In the Caribbean, our music is rhythmic. Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). The Caribbean’s Cultural History Columbus’ discovery in 1492 set off a chain of events in the emergence of the Caribbean society, as Knight states in his book The Caribbean. There are several different styles of music that originated on these islands. Caribbean Music History. Facts about Caribbean Music 9: annual Trinidad Carnival. Reggae is characterized by a heavy backbeat rhythm, meaning the emphasis of the beat is on, for example, beats 2 and 4, when the song is in 4/4 time. The famous artists of extempore include Lady Africa, Black Sage, Big B, Lingo and Lord Pretender. This backbeat is characteristic of all African-based musical styles and is not found in traditional European or Asian music. They used percussion instruments to create music in the 16th century. Caribbean Music. Reggae music is always going to be intrinsically a part of the Caribbean musical output but there is an argument to say that it is no longer the dominant musical force in this part of the world or for the Caribbean diaspora all across the world. Black History-Month Caribbean Music Black people came from all over Europe and Africa and settled in London where their presence is significant but little known. A close relative of West African kaiso, calypso music is an upbeat genre based on call-and-response singing and a syncopated 2/4 beat known as the calypso rhythm.. Calypso has spawned many subgenres, including soca music, mento, benna, spouge, ska, chutney, and … They're all part of Caribbean dance. Think of salsa, mambo, and calypso. The impact on the Caribbean music in Africa and Europe is also reflected in the rhythm and music style, for example, the rhythm of Candomble, the music style of reggae. An overview of Caribbean music speaking to where it comes from. The music and the festivals of Caribbean are rich and cultural. Over time, our ancestors have shaped our history. Percussion instruments generate fundamental rhythms for Miami’s Caribbean … But Miami’s Caribbean musical heritage extends far beyond the well-known artistes who perform and record in these popular styles. Music brings us together, gives us purpose and shapes who we are as a people. The music was lively and entertaining. The history of the Caribbean begins with the migration of several groups from the mainland Americas around 7000 years ago. Topics included are the Transatlantic Slave Trade, colonialism, political conflicts, and struggles for freedom. The following year, the first Spanish settlements were established in the Caribbean. Sign in, choose your GCSE subjects and see content that's tailored for you. The history of the Caribbean reveals the significant role the region played in the colonial struggles of the European powers since the 15th century. The custom comes from Catholicism brought by French colonial rule. The history of Caribbean music started with the Native American settlers of the island. The Caribbean has a rich cultural background. Over time, our ancestors have shaped our history. We all want to go there, soak up the music, culture and the weather but do you actually know where it is. Where is the Caribbean? Caribbean music is colorful and diverse, and comes from complicated influences. By the mid-1980s, British African-Caribbean … But you can preview it later this month. Some of the styles to gain wide popularity outside the Caribbean include, bachata, merenque, palo, mombo, denbo, baithak gana, bouyon, cadence-lypso, calypso, chutney, chutney-soca, compas, dancehall, jing ping, parang, pichakaree, punta, ragga In the Caribbean, our music is rhythmic. Music is a dynamic concept; especially in the Caribbean, and has changed over the years to produce new and exciting genres. Music compels your body to move. It's a group of more than 7,000 islands in the Caribbean Sea scattered south… While many immigrants from the Caribbean brought with them the folk music of the area, it was not until the 1960s when The Spinners a folk group from Liverpool, England, who were the first multiracial singing group to have a major success in the UK brought Caribbean folk music into the mainstream. The history of Caribbean music originates from the history of the Caribbean itself. In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean and claimed the region for Spain. The Afro-Caribbean musical connection has never been a one-way street. University of Kentucky MUS 360: Dr. Wang. Our tips from experts and exam survivors will help you through. A diverse group of musical genres originate from the Caribbean. Following Christopher Columbus' 1492 landing, Spain claimed the entire region as its own. Sometimes, you want to get up and dance. By 1973, the year the Bahamas gained independence … The Caribbean islands lie in a chain from the Bahamas in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south. But it is important to note where our music originated. Harry Belafonte, a Jamaican-American pop-calypso singer Caribbean music genres are diverse. Though these islands have adopted imported music and dance forms such as calypso, reggae and soca, the Bahamas are primarily associated with the sounds of junkanoo. The Islands were founded by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Largely, though, it is rooted in the artistic expressions of African slaves brought over with European colonization to … Puerto Rico makes our list of best destinations for history and culture because it is not your typical Caribbean island. Some of the more popular current artists include Tabou Combo, Les Freres Dejean and Sweet Micky, who ran for and won the Haitian presidency in 2011. They represent a synthesis of African, European, Indian, and Indigenous influences, as the Caribbean has historically been a melting pot of all these elements throughout its history. All rights reserved. CARIBBEAN HISTORY:The Caribbean Islands have a very uinique and interesting history. World Music Team Project. CARIBBEAN MUSIC Introduction: Caribbean music originated from the Caribbean Islands, also known as the West Indies, and is a mixture of West African and European predominantly Spanish influences. Another genre of Caribbean Music is calypso music. Central in the chain are the largest islands of Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. 38 minutes. The Caribbean region was war-torn throughout much of its colonial history, but the wars were often based in Europe, with only minor battles fought in the Caribbean. Although the Spanish conquests of the Aztec empire and the Inca empire in the early sixteenth century made Mexico and Perumore desirable places for Spanish exploration and settlement, the Caribbe… The Caribbean has a rich cultural background. I want to talk about the music style of reggae, the origin of reggae music in Jamaica, but reggae music combines traditional African rhythms, American blues music, and the original Jamaican folklore music. Before we get to dancing, let's define Caribbean geography. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. When you hear soca, steelpan, calypso or dancehall, you will immediately move your hips. Have you heard music from places like Cuba, Trinidad, or the Dominican Republic? These Caribbean islands have strong cultures of music and dance. They composed music with the help of percussion instruments like drums, bells and shakers. www.stefanwalcott.com Digital History: Music in Caribbean Culture. Caribbean music originated from the Caribbean Islands, also known as the West Indies, and is a mixture of West African and European predominantly Spanish influences. Most music scholars agree that Calypso originated from a West African music form called kaiso. However, this type of music began and ended with them. The first museum in the world dedicated to Caribbean history and culture will open in Westfield Broward mall in 2021. Copyright 1994-2017. Other styles you'll find in Haiti include rara, mizik rasin, kadans and meringue … This exhibition looks at the history of the British Caribbean through Colonial Office government documents held at The National Archives, focusing on the period between 1780 and 1926. The music has its origin when West African slaves were brought to Caribbean Island. In the 1970s and 1980s, British African-Caribbean artists such as Hot Chocolate and Imagination became leaders of the British disco, soul and R&B scenes. Puerto Rico is rooted in Spanish culture with a mix of Taíno, African, and of course American influences. They are each syntheses of African, European, Indian and Indigenous influences, largely created by descendants of African slaves (see Afro-Caribbean music), along with contributions from other communities (such as Indo-Caribbean music). World War II introduced this music to American servicemen who spent time in the islands and helped spread its po… There are a few (among many) countries that have provided us with the sweet, spicy music that encompasses our Caribbean flavour: < About Jamaica >. This Carnival-like celebration occurs every year on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day. Their continuing popularity is a testament to the resiliency of the culture of the Caribbean culture. Like basically all other Caribbean music, compas is a blend of African rhythms with the music of the Native Caribbean people and European musical elements. Some wars, however, were born of political turmoil in the Caribbean itself. Facts about Caribbean Music 10: calypso music. Caribbean islands have a rich and diverse history. During the beginning of 20th century, it was originated from … Most of the Caribbean population are descendants of West African slaves and settlers from Europe, India and China. The music has its origin when West African slaves were brought to Caribbean Island. The word junkanoo is thought to derive from the name of Ghanaian leader John Connu, and its origins stretch back to the era in which slaves were only allowed celebrations around Christmas. It grew out of traditions from African cultures and indigenous peoples, European colonialism, and the unique character of places separated by water. For example, some music is important to the festival of Carnival, which like Mardi Gras comes before Lent. Eventually, the music became a means for storytelling and communicating among African slaves working on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago… Calypso, reggae, soca, zouk and many similar styles were each born in the islands of Trinidad , Jamaica , and Haiti . That history is one of the native land invaded by outsiders; violence, slavery, and even genocide factor in. Music is a dynamic concept; especially in the Caribbean,… Calypso is an Afro-Caribbean music genre that began in the nation of Trinidad and Tobago and spread throughout the West Indies. The music had unique musical style elements with special … When you hear soca, steelpan, calypso or dancehall, you will immediately move your hips. You’ll experience this diverse culture everywhere from the unique shops, museums, galleries and the music. Caribbean music genres are diverse. The presence of Africans in England dates back to at least the Roman period when African soldiers who served as part of the Roman army were stationed at Hadrian’s Wall during the 2nd century AD. The genres include traditional Puerto Rico Aguinaldo and the Jamaican Mento and even the salsa and reggae. The popularity of extempo is increased due to the presence of annual Trinidad Carnival. Music, is one of the many products of our culture. British African-Caribbean music had been generally synonymous with Caribbean styles until the 1990s, although some artists had been drawing on British and American musical forms for several decades. Even before the arrival of satellite communication and MTV, music traveled far and wide to be soaked up by disparate cultures. Read about our approach to external linking. Then it crossed the Atlantic with the African slaves and landed in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, where the rustic musical expression took root and grew. 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