Sub cultures and Threats to Our Heritage Flashcards
Material culture
Material culture consists of all the things we can touch or manipulate.
Non-Material Culture
Non-material culture will consist of all those pasts we cannot touch. Examples will be songs, dance, music, oral traditions, etc.
Sub Culture
It is any deviation from mainstream culture, it can be considered the changes to the traditional way of doing things or moderations.
What is calypso music?
Calypso music has roots in West African tribal songs of the eighteen century and became popular in the early twentieth century, originating in Trinidad and spreading to the rest of the Caribbean. Calypso originally was sung in a french creole, led by a griot (a storyteller). As English replace the French creole, calypso began to be sung in English. This drew the attention of the British colonial powers because calypso song lyrics were often politically critical of the British.
Calypso became popular in the eastern Caribbean because the use of African beats and rythems that united people of African descent across the region. It was a musical form that was unique to the Caribbean and provided a sense of identity. The use of the musical form to express critical views of the ruling class also boosted its popularity. Today, most Eastern Caribbean countries have their own form of annual calypso competitions, usually held in association with a carnival.
What is soca music?
Soca is another Trinidadian import, a fusion of the typical calypso sound with funk, soul, reggae and other musical styles that became popular during the 1970’s. The fusion was intended to bring new life to calypso since these new musical styles appealed to younger people at the time.
Therefore, soca has a more complex, up-tempo sound with less focus on social commentary and more use of lyricsrelating to scandal, gossip, partying and revelry. Each island has added their musical influence to the genre. For example, basement soca developed in Barbados as a mix of Jamaican dancehall and soca.
Artists such as Scilla, Stabby and Marville are popular in this genre. High-energy performance and use of Barbadian creole are characteristic of basement soca.
what is the Steel band?
Trinidad and Tobago is known as the place where steel band originated, In 1880, stick fighting and percussion music were banned in Trinidad and Tobago as a result of the Canboulay riots. The replacement, bamboo sticks, were also banned. In 1937, an orchestra of frying pans, dustbin lids and oil drums emerged in Laventille. As with calypso and soca, steel band became popular throughout the Eastern Caribbean as a unique part of regional heritage and a source of regional pride.
What is chutney?
Chutney music developed in the southern Caribbean territories, such as Trinidad and Guyana, among those of Indo-Caribbean descent. It was first traditionally heard at weddings, religious celebrations and in the sugarcane fields. Chutney is a fusion of Indian and local music styles. The main instruments are the dholak (a hand drum), dhantal (a steel rod) and harmonium. Modern chutney has a strong soca influence which has increased its popularity among the islands of the Eastern Caribbean.
What is Bouyon?
Bouyon is a musical form developed by Dominican singers and which found mass appeal across the french Antilles. It is characterized by use of Antillean creole ( Fench and English), and strong keyboard rhythmic patterns, accordion and acoustic percussion. It fuses two earlier traditional Dominican musical styles called jing ping and kadans, and draws influence from zouk
What is a Big Drum ?
This is a musical style most strongly associated with St Vincent and the Grenadines, where drums made from tree-trunks and rum kegs were used to create strong African percussive beats coupled with socially conscious lyrics or satire. This style is accompanied by traditional colourful headdresses and skirts. It is a significant part of celebrating creole culture in the Windward Islands and is heard at ceremonies and festivals of national importance, especially those to respect and remember African ancestors. Variations of big drum are found in St Kitts and Nevis and Grenada. A female singer called a chantwell usually sings the lyrics.
